The upcoming changes in immigration and nationality fees, effective from October 4th, aim to support essential services and allocate more resources for public sector salary increases. These changes were presented in Parliament on September 15th.
The modifications entail an increase in fees for various visa types. For instance, the cost of a visit visa for stays of less than six months will rise by £15 to a total of £115. Likewise, the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will see a £127 increase, bringing it to £490, which aligns with the fee charged for in-country applications.
In July, the government had already announced a 15% hike in the fees for most work and visit visas, along with a minimum 20% increase for priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship.
These fees are a crucial source of income for the Home Office, enabling the maintenance of a sustainable immigration and nationality system. The fee adjustments are made thoughtfully to minimize the financial burden on British taxpayers while ensuring that the UK remains an attractive destination for those seeking employment and contributing to the nation’s prosperity.
The changes encompass a wide range of fees, including those for various visa durations, entry clearance, leave to remain applications for work and study, indefinite leave to enter and remain, travel documents, health and care visas, sponsorship certificates, and priority services. The settlement priority service will also be adjusted to align with the cost of using the regular priority service.
Additional changes pertain to applications for British citizenship, as well as the User Pays Visa Application service. It’s important to note that these fee adjustments are contingent on Parliamentary approval. It’s worth mentioning that today’s announcement excludes the planned increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is expected to be introduced later in the Autumn.
For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-visa-fees-set-to-come-into-effect-next-month?fbclid=IwAR3cYII-zbu8D9AxyllSJK0LZZGf6uctNLkLTe31IPr-MrG975Hm4Z0dfcA
