UK visa fee increase from today – here’s how it will affect students, workers and visitors

Starting today, the increase in visas announced by the British government will come into force. With this, a visit visa to the UK for less than six months will cost GBP (Great Britain Pound) 15 (around Rs 1,500) more and a student visa will be GBP 127 (around Rs 12,750) more expensive for travelers all over. the world. . The UK Home Office said the changes mean the cost of a visit visa for less than six months will rise to GBP 115 (nearly Rs 11,500) and the fee for applying for one student visa from outside the UK will increase to GBP 490, which is approximately Rs 50,000.

According to the Official site, the increase in visa fees applies to most categories, including fees for visit visas of up to 6 months, 2, 5 and 10 years; most entry clearance fees and certain applications for permission to remain in the UK, including those for work and study; fees for indefinite entry leave and indefinite stay leave; health and care visa; fees related to sponsorship certificates and confirmation of study acceptance; and applications to register and naturalize as a British citizen.

“It is right and fair to increase visa application fees so we can fund vital public services and enable wider funding to contribute to public sector wages,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

UK visa application fees

From October 4, the new fee structure for UK visas will come into effect for foreigners, including Indians. The cost of UK visas will increase for students, skilled workers and immigrants. According to the official site, the cost of family, settlement and citizenship visas will increase by 20%, while the cost of work and visit visas will increase by 15%. The Immigrant Health Surcharge (IHS) will also increase to £1,035 a year.

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

For skilled workers, where a sponsorship certificate has been issued for three years or less, the visa fee will be £719 (Rs 65,000). But if the sponsorship certificate has been granted for more than three years, the immigration fee will be £1,420, which is approximately Rs 129,000.

The visa fee has also been increased for skilled workers in scarce occupations where a sponsorship certificate has been granted for three years or less. They will have to pay £551, which is almost Rs 50,351. If the sponsorship certificate has been valid for more than three years, the immigration fee will cost £1,084 or Rs 99,125. In addition, people who want to obtain a visa, residence permit or citizenship in the United Kingdom will have to pay for it.