The British government has announced that visa fees will increase starting from October 4. This means that individuals applying for a visit visa for under six months will have to pay GBP 15 more, while student visas will be GBP 127 more expensive for travelers from around the world, including Indians.
The changes were proposed in legislation tabled in Parliament and aim to bring the cost of visit visas for less than six months to GBP 115 and the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK to GBP 490, which is the same as the amount charged for in-country applications.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously stated in July that the fees and health surcharge paid by visa applicants would increase significantly to meet the country’s public sector wage increase. The government estimates that these fee hikes will raise over GBP 1 billion in revenue.
The Home Office has indicated that there will be a 15% increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, as well as at least a 20% increase in the cost of priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship. This increase in fees will apply across various visa categories, including health and care visas, applications to register and naturalize as a British citizen, and fees for different types of visit visas.
The changes are still subject to parliamentary approval but are expected to be in force by October 4. The Home Office states that income from fees plays a crucial role in running a sustainable immigration and nationality system, and careful consideration is given when setting fees to reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers while still attracting individuals who wish to work in the UK.
It is important to note that these fee hikes apply to most visa categories, including entry clearance fees, applications for leave to remain in the UK, fees for indefinite leave to enter and remain, as well as fees related to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies.
As always, it is recommended to stay updated with the latest information regarding visa fees and regulations to avoid any inconvenience during the application process.
