A clear fee schedule is one of the best tools for comparing programmes, but it is easy to misread. This guide shows you the layers to look for and the questions that reveal the true cost, current as of June 2026.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
A complete schedule usually has four layers. First, the qualifying investment itself, the money that may be returned to you later. Second, government charges, such as application fees, due diligence fees and issuance fees, which are not returned. Third, third party fees, such as legal, notary and agency costs. Fourth, ongoing costs, such as renewals, maintenance or annual taxes.
When you compare two programmes, line them up layer by layer. A low headline investment can hide high government and third party costs, while a higher investment may come with fewer add ons. The total over the life of the route is what matters.
Government fees are set by the authority and published officially, so you can verify them at source. Third party fees are set by service providers and vary widely, which is where confusion and overcharging creep in. Always trace each government number back to the official authority, and ask any adviser to itemise their own fees separately from government charges so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Many fees scale with family size. A schedule quoted for a single applicant can rise sharply once a spouse, children or dependent parents are added, and some charges repeat at renewal. Ask for the total for your actual family, at application and at every renewal, not just the single applicant headline. This is one of the most common sources of surprise later.
Ask what is refundable and what is not, what is charged once and what repeats, and what is deliberately left off the page. Ask for the figure in writing and confirm the government portions against the official authority. If a schedule is vague or pushes you to commit quickly, treat that as a warning. We can introduce you to vetted, independent advisers through Get Matched, and we never name or rank firms.
Government application, due diligence and issuance fees are published by the official authority, so you can check them at source. Third party legal and agency fees are set privately and should be itemised separately. Always confirm the government portions against the authority.
Often because the headline figure covers a single applicant and excludes family members, renewals or third party costs. Ask for the full total for your actual family at application and at every renewal to avoid surprises.
Vague line items, pressure to commit quickly, government and private fees blended into one number, and reluctance to put figures in writing. A trustworthy schedule is itemised and traceable to the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
We introduce you to vetted, independent advisors, in confidence and at no obligation. Your topic is noted for you below.
Independent and paid by the people we help, never by a government and never by a firm.
One short email when a programme rule changes, with the official source named so you can verify it. No hype, unsubscribe anytime.
Related programmes and comparisons, each dated and sourced to the official authority.