Immigration applications are costly. The core components of the costs are the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which can total several thousand pounds per applicant. The application fees now tend to increase annually, by amendment to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018. The IHS increases every few years. In addition to these core costs there may be other necessary additional costs, including for English Language tests, DNA tests, TB tests and biometric appointments.Applicants wishing to stay in or enter the UK and who are unable to afford these costs may be eligible for a fee waiver. From 8 October 2026 fee waiver applications only allow the applicant to rely on the fee waiver submission as the date of application where the applicant then goes on to make the application for permission on the route for which the fee waiver request was made. This Practice Note covers the background and application processes for in-country and overseas fee waiver applications, including who can apply