UK visa fees set to increase from March 18

The decision by the British government to increase visa application fees across-the-board from March 18 will have a major impact on migrants from India — the country from where a large segment of entrants seeking to live and work in the U.K. come.

The increase in fees “linked most closely to economic growth” such as those offered to workers and students will increase by 2 per cent, as will tourist visas.

Settlement, residence and nationality fees will be increased by 25 per cent; while optional premium services offered by the Home Office such as the super premium service and priority visa services overseas will be increased by 33 per cent.

The Home Office notification says the aim of the increase is to achieve a “self-funding system, whilst continuing to provide a competitive level of service, and a fees structure that remains attractive to businesses, migrants and visitors”.

From India, tourist visas to the U.K. will go up from £85 to £87 (six months); £324 to £330 (two years); £588 to £600 (five years); and £737 to £752 (10 years). There are increases for student visas, work and settlement visas and for academics who travel to the U.K. on work. The full list of the fee structure can be found on the U.K. Home Office website.

According to a report from the Office for National Statistics, of the top 10 nationalities who were granted entry clearance visas (that excludes visitor and transit visas) to the U.K. in 2015, Indians were the second highest at 85,403 following China which had the largest number at 93,076.