The British government is set to implement a proposed visa fee hike, which will go into effect this week. This move will impact travellers from around the world, with increases in visa fees for different categories.
For visit visas that are valid for under six months, the cost will rise by GBP 15, bringing the new fee to GBP 115. Additionally, student visas for those applying from outside the UK will see a significant increase of GBP 127, resulting in a total fee of GBP 490.
The UK Home Office has justified these fee adjustments by stating that the income generated from visa fees is crucial for maintaining a sustainable immigration and nationality system. They aim to strike a balance between reducing the financial burden on British taxpayers and providing an attractive service for individuals interested in working in the UK, which, in turn, contributes to the broader prosperity of the nation.
This development follows UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement that fees and health surcharges paid by visa applicants to support the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) will also increase significantly. These changes are being made to align with the country’s public sector wage increase.
