UK Visa Fees to Rise: Know How It Will Impact People

The British government has recently announced an increase in visa fees, which takes effect starting October 4. This move will have ramifications for individuals visiting, studying, and working in the United Kingdom. Specifically, the cost of a visit visa for a stay of under six months will see an increase of GBP 15, roughly equivalent to ₹1,500. Meanwhile, prospective international students will face a steep rise of GBP 127, approximately ₹12,750, in the fees for obtaining a student visa. According to the UK Home Office, these changes will result in the cost of a visit visa for stays less than six months soaring to GBP 115, nearly ₹11,500, and the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK reaching GBP 490, or roughly ₹50,000.

The fee adjustments apply to a wide range of visa categories, encompassing fees for visit visas valid for 6 months, 2, 5, and 10 years, as well as most fees for entry clearance and various applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those for work and study. It also affects fees for indefinite leave to enter and remain, health and care visas, charges related to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies, and applications for registering and naturalizing as a British Citizen.

A Home Office spokesperson justified the fee increases, stating, "It is right and fair to increase visa application fees so we can fund vital public services and allow wider funding to contribute to public sector pay."

Starting from October 4, the new visa fee structure will impact foreign nationals, including Indians, applying for UK visas. The changes will result in higher costs for students, skilled workers, and immigrants alike. According to official information, family, settlement, and citizenship visa fees will witness a 20% increase, while work and visit visa fees will rise by 15%. The immigration health surcharge (IHS) will also experience an uptick to GBP 1,035 annually.

For students, including child students and dependents, the visa fee will now be GBP 490. However, the UK government has clarified that there will be no increase in visa fees for short-term courses where students study English for more than 6 months but less than 11 months.

Skilled workers, on the other hand, will face varying visa charges depending on the duration of their certificate sponsorship. Those with certificates issued for three years or less will pay GBP 719 (approximately ₹65,000), while individuals with sponsorships exceeding three years will be subject to a higher fee of GBP 1,420, roughly ₹129,000.

Skilled workers in shortage occupations holding certificates of sponsorship valid for three years or less will be required to pay GBP 551, nearly ₹50,351. For sponsorships exceeding three years, the immigration fee will escalate to GBP 1,084, which is approximately ₹99,125. Additionally, anyone seeking a visa, permission to stay, or citizenship in the UK will now have to bear these increased costs.