Get a visa application fee waiver from inside the UK

You can apply for a fee waiver if you’re applying for permission to stay in the UK. This means you will not have to pay a visa application fee if you are eligible.

Before you apply to extend your visa, you must get a decision on your fee waiver.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for a fee waiver if:

  • you’re a partner, parent or dependant child of someone who has a family visa or has permission to stay in the UK on the basis of their private life

  • you’ve got ‘Discretionary Leave’ or ‘Leave outside the Immigration Rules’ on human rights grounds where you were refused refugee status or humanitarian protection - check your Biometric Residence Permit to see what you’ve got

  • you have permission to stay in the UK because you’re a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay the fee because you:

  • do not have a place to live in the UK and you cannot afford one
  • have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
  • have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing

Your partner and children

You can include your partner and children in your visa waiver application if they’re applying to join or stay with you in the UK as your dependants.

Each family member will need to complete a separate visa application and pay the visa fee. Use this service if you cannot afford to pay all or some of the fees.

Apply for a visa fee waiver

You’ll be able to save your form and return to it later.

Start now

Before you start

You’ll be asked to prove your identity by uploading a copy of your identity document online, for example your:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence permit (BRP)

You’ll also need to provide information about your financial situation, for example:

  • bank statements
  • letters from local authorities or family members showing you get financial support
  • evidence to show you get public funds
  • evidence of your household earnings, for example payslips
  • evidence of your household expenses, for example how much rent you pay

You may also be asked to provide additional evidence about your partner or dependants financial situation.

After you apply

You’ll get a confirmation email from the Home Office once you’ve applied.

If your application is approved, you’ll get an email or letter with a personalised code (called a ‘token’). Use this code in your visa application.

You must apply for your visa and give your fingerprints and a photo (‘biometric information’) within 28 days of getting your decision email or letter.

Otherwise your code will expire and you’ll have to make a new fee waiver application.