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Asylum solicitors in St AlbansIf you're afraid to return home, we'll help you make your claim clearly and with the right evidence.
- Fees agreed in writing upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Immigration consultation (30 minutes)
£150+ VAT
£180 including VAT
- Not included
There's no Home Office fee to claim asylum.
- Typical timescale
- There's no fixed time for a Home Office asylum decision, and many claims take more than 6 months.
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Clear feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
Asylum cases vary a great deal, so we start with a 30-minute solicitor consultation, credited against our fees if you instruct us. We then agree the fee for your case in writing before any work starts.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- Certified translations (if needed)Usually £30 to £60 a page
Paid to the translator. We'll tell you if any documents need translating.
- Barrister for a hearing (if needed)Quoted in advance
We agree the barrister's fee with you in writing before booking them.
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
There's no Home Office fee to claim asylum. Expert reports, such as country or medical reports, are extra if your case needs them, and we'll agree them with you first.
Typical timescale. There's no fixed time for a Home Office asylum decision, and many claims take more than 6 months. If your claim is refused, the deadline to appeal is usually 14 days, so contact us as soon as you receive the letter.
Home Office fees on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
| Principal solicitor | £295 + VAT |
|---|---|
| Principal solicitor (complex matters) | £350 + VAT |
| Associate solicitor | £220–£270 + VAT |
| Caseworker | £150–£160 + VAT |
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- You're in the UK and afraid to return to your country because of who you are, what you believe, or what has happened to you.
- You've claimed asylum and have a screening or substantive interview coming up, or you're waiting for a decision.
- Your asylum or human rights claim was refused, or you have new evidence after a refusal.
How it works
Step 1: Understand your case
We listen to what happened to you, in confidence and in your language if you prefer, and explain how the asylum process works and what the Home Office will need.
Step 2: Prepare your evidence
We help you prepare a detailed witness statement and gather supporting evidence, such as documents, country information, and, where needed, medical or expert reports.
Step 3: Get ready for your interview
The substantive interview is the most important part of an asylum claim. We prepare you for it, explain what to expect, and send the Home Office any further evidence or corrections afterwards.
Step 4: The decision
If you're granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, we explain your rights, how long your leave lasts, and the route to settlement. If you're refused, we tell you straight away about your right to appeal.
Step 5: Appeals and fresh claims
We prepare appeals to the First-tier Tribunal, with a barrister at the hearing where needed. If your appeal rights have ended but you have new evidence, we can prepare a fresh claim.
Refugee status and humanitarian protection
If the Home Office accepts that you have a well-founded fear of persecution, you'll be granted refugee status. If you don't meet the refugee definition but would face a real risk of serious harm if returned, you may be granted humanitarian protection instead. Both give you permission to stay and work in the UK.
Human rights claims
Even if you don't qualify for asylum, returning you may breach your human rights, for example your right to family and private life in the UK, or because of a serious medical condition. We can advise whether a human rights claim is right for you, and prepare it alongside or instead of an asylum claim.
The rules are changing
Asylum law and Home Office policy are changing quickly, including how long protection lasts and the route to settlement. We'll tell you what applies to you at the time you claim.
Who will handle your case
Your matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
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I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
Not sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Guides on this topic
- When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?Qualifying periods for Indefinite Leave to Remain by route, applying up to 28 days early, and how time spent outside the UK can affect your date.4 min read
- Spouse visa requirements explainedThe main UK spouse visa requirements: your relationship, finances, accommodation, English language and immigration history, and how each one is assessed.4 min read
- The spouse visa financial requirement explainedThe UK spouse visa financial requirement in plain English: the minimum income, what income and savings count, how to combine them, and the evidence you need.5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim asylum in the UK?
You can claim asylum if you're in the UK and can't return to your country because you fear persecution there, for example because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group, such as your sexuality. Some people who don't meet that test may still qualify for humanitarian protection or on human rights grounds.
What happens at the asylum interview?
A Home Office officer asks you detailed questions about who you are, what happened to you, and why you fear returning. It's usually recorded, and you can ask for an interpreter. Preparing properly makes a real difference, so get advice before your interview.
Can I work while my asylum claim is decided?
Usually not. You can apply for permission to work if you've waited more than 12 months for a decision through no fault of your own, and even then only in certain jobs.
My asylum claim was refused. What can I do?
Most refusals can be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal, usually within 14 days if you're in the UK. If your appeal rights have ended but you have new evidence, you may be able to make a fresh claim. Contact us as soon as you receive the refusal letter.
Can my family join me if I'm granted refugee status?
The refugee family reunion rules have changed recently and are being reviewed by the government. We'll tell you which route, if any, is open to your partner and children now.
Is legal aid available?
Legal aid is often available for asylum cases if you qualify financially. On your free call we'll explain how we can help, and if you may qualify for legal aid, how to find a legal aid provider.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
Want legal advice from a solicitor straight away? Book a paid consultation
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Booking does not create a solicitor-client relationship until we confirm we can act for you (including a conflict check).