From 19 December 2012 changes to asylum and immigration appeals will be in force affecting cost fees, payment and where appeals will be submitted to. Applicants will be expected to contribute towards system cost fees and will be required to pay £80 for a paper consideration and £140 for oral hearings.
Summary of changes
This new rule will apply to all appeal applications made on or after 19 December 2011, with the exception of those who are receiving legal aid, those provided with asylum support funding, those receiving benefit services under section 17 Children Act 1989 and specific types of appeal decisions. If applicants are unable to pay due to exceptional circumstances the applicant can apply to have the fee remitted or reduced.
These fees are relatively low level and only recover approximately 25% of the full cost of administering an appeal. Such appeals and payments can now be made via a new online facility. Allowing applicants ,or others on their behalf, to pay fees using a Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card.
Applicants appealing decisions on or after 19 December 2011, will be required to submit their appeals directly to the First- tier Tribunal (immigration and Aslyum Chamber) in Leicester. As oppose to sending the application to the visa application centre overseas who made the initial decision.
What should you do
Such changes impact the immigration appeals process significantly. Thus it is important to instruct specialist immigration lawyers to assist with appeal matters.
Our Immigration Experts are able to give specialist legal information and advice in this area of law. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact one of our Solicitors or Barristers at 0845 8622 529 or, alternatively, please click here