UK To Increase Student And Visitor Visa Cost From October 4: The UK government announced its plan to increase student and visitor visa fees from October 4th.
According to the new fee structure, a tourist visa for a visit of fewer than 6 months will incur an extra charge of 15 GBP.
Also, this new change will affect student visas, making them more expensive, of GBP 127 for applicants from diverse countries, including India.
This adjustment came after the new lawmaking was introduced in the Parliament the previous Friday.
The UK home office explained that these new changes will increase the price of a tourist visa for stays of less than 6 months to 115 GBP.
Also, the cost of applying for a student visa outside the UK will rise to 490 GBP, aligning with the payment for in-country applications.
This change follows the decision to increase fees and health surcharges for visa applicants in support of the UK’s state-funded National Health Service (NHS) was made following an announcement by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in July.
Sunak stated that the charges would significantly increase to cover public sector wage increases.
He explained that migrants applying for visas and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) levy would be affected by the changes necessary to ensure access to the NHS.
The UK Home Office has shown a 15% growth in the cost of visit and work visas, with priority visas, certificates of sponsorship, and study visas facing a rise of at least 20%.
The Home Office has explained that the changes in fees are necessary to sustain a functional immigration and nationality system, as the income from fees plays a vital role.
The fees are carefully set to minimize the need for funding from British taxpayers while still providing an attractive service for those wishing to work in the UK and support the country’s overall growth.
This fee hike applies to many visa categories, like applications for British citizenship, health and care visas, and feed for a visit or tourist visa spanning six months, two, five, or ten years.
The rise in fees affects a wide range of entry clearance charges and applications for staying in the UK, including those for work and study.
This increase also applies to fees for indefinite leave to enter and remain, as well as fees related to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies.
The Home Office announced that these new modifications are subject to parliamentary approval and are start from October 4th.
So, it is all about the UK to increase student and visitor visa cost from October 4.
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Source:- timesofindia.indiatimes.com
