How Much Do UK Business Immigration Consultants Charge?

If you're a business looking to start or continue recruiting from outside the UK, you might wonder how much business immigration consultants charge for their services. The cost of hiring an immigration consultant can vary depending on several factors, including the size and type of firm you choose to work with. In this article, we will explore the different cost structures and factors that can influence the fees charged by business immigration consultants.

Large Multidisciplinary & Traditional Firms

When it comes to large firms like the Big 4 (EY, Deloitte, KPMG) and Vialto Partners, you can expect higher fees due to their extensive resources, multidisciplinary approach, and global presence. These firms often work with time sheets and have impressive offices, contributing to higher costs. On the other hand, traditional solicitors’ firms are likely to have manual processes and charge higher fees due to their established reputation.

Forward Thinking Consultancy Companies

In the middle, you have collaborative and forward-thinking consultants who offer expertise in immigration matters while effectively performing administrative tasks. These consultants often have lower costs than large firms, as they have streamlined their processes, continue to move with the times at pace to provide more digital service, and reduced overhead expenses. They provide a good balance between cost and quality of service.

"High Street" Firms

At the other end of the spectrum, you have "high street" firms that may lack experience on a larger scale. These firms typically market themselves with low budgets, and their services reflect that. While they may offer lower fees, it's essential to consider the level of expertise and support they can provide, especially for complex immigration cases or when your mobile employees’ experience is paramount.

What Service Do you Need?

When considering the type of service you need, it's crucial to determine whether you require white glove treatment with access to senior consultants/lawyers or if you are comfortable being assisted by more junior staff. Additionally, you should evaluate the scope of work you expect from the consultant.

Some businesses prefer consultants who can handle everything from form filling to appointment bookings. In contrast, others may only need advice and guidance and expert support to ensure their applications are prepared correctly. The latter is becoming the norm as information becomes ever more available and the transactional aspect of the application is simplified; budget constraints within business units are also a driver for this.

Pay Extra for Queries & Ad-Hoc Projects?

Queries also play a role in determining the fees charged by immigration consultants. Some firms charge per query, while others have an hourly rate of around £250. Alternatively, you may pay a higher case fee that includes providing answers to any questions that may arise during the process. Some businesses opt for a separate retainer fee, which ensures they have ongoing access to the consultant's expertise and support.

Most firms charge for ad-hoc projects such as assisting with changes to office locations or key personnel. The anticipated volume of work also influences the general cost per case the business will provide to the consultant monthly or annually. The higher the volume, the lower the fee, and consultants may also offer additional value-add services for clients with high volumes of work.

Consider Wider Costs

It's important to consider government fees and the consultant's charges. These fees include sponsor license applications/renewals, common work visa types (such as skilled worker and senior and specialist worker visas), and visitor visas. Businesses must also account for additional costs such as the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee, immigration skills charge, visa application fee, and immigration health surcharge. However, the specific fees can vary depending on the sector.

When choosing a business immigration consultant, looking beyond just the cost is essential. Consider the level of expertise, the range of services provided, and the consultant's track record. Remember that cheap isn't always the best option, and a shiny office doesn't guarantee quality service. By understanding your specific needs and evaluating the various factors influencing the fees, you can make an informed decision that best suits your business's immigration requirements.

How Much Do Business Immigration Consultants Charge?

Are you still searching for fees and pricing?

At Immtell, we understand that pricing and costs are key factors for businesses seeking immigration services. We know that it can be challenging to obtain pricing from UK immigration firms until you have had several conversations under the guise that every client offering is different, the service they provide is unique, etc. While this is certainly true to an extent, and Immtell also provides bespoke services, we think it’s only right that we can help you make your job a little easier. 

So, rather than spending hours searching the internet for fee schedules or having the same conversation over and over just to get an indication of the likely price for the service you need, we are adding our indicative pricing to each service page.  To be clear, these are not set in stone and may vary in uplift and reduction depending on the factors we’ve explained in this article, i.e. the service level required, anticipated case volume etc. 

However, hopefully, the pricing provides you with a good indication as to where we are positioned in the market and helps you to make an informed decision as to whether we might be the right fit for you, and a conversation should be had. If you have any questions or would like a chat, please get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.