September 16, (THEWILL) – The cost of a visit visa to the United Kingdom for less than six months will now cost £115 (about N111,878.28 ) as opposed to £15 (14,592.70), translating to about 667 percent increment, the UK Home Office said
THEWILL recalls that the UK Government had in July, announced a 15 percent increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, and an increase of at least 20 percent in the cost of priority visas, study visas and certificates of sponsorship.
But in a statement published on its website (gov.uk) on Friday, the Government said student visa will now cost £490 (N476,677.59) as against the former fee of £127 (N123,537.58), representing a 286 percent increment.
The review, it said, will go into effect on October 4, 2023; adding that the hike would allow it to pay for “vital services” and prioritise additional cash for pay raises for public employees.
“The changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising from £15 (N14,592.70) to £115 (N111,878.28 ), while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 (N123,537.58) to £490 (N476,677.59), to equal the amount charged for in-country applications.
“Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. Careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.
“Today’s changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is scheduled to be introduced later in the Autumn”, the statement read in part.
However, the statement noted that subject to parliamentary approval, the immigration and nationality fees would increase from October 4.
The changes include fees for up to six months, two-, five- and 10-year visit visas.
The majority of fees for entry clearance and certain applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those for work and study were also increased.
It also increased indefinite leave fee to enter and indefinite leave fee to remain; convention travel document and stateless person’s travel document; health and care visa; fees in relation to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies; the in and out of country fee for the super-priority service and the out of country fee for the priority service.
The statement noted that the settlement priority service would be reduced, so it would be aligned with the cost of using the priority service.
Applications to register and naturalise as a British citizen and the fee for the User Pays Visa Application service were also increased.
