The British government has announced a visa fee increase, which came into effect recently. This change means that a visit visa for the United Kingdom for a duration of under six months will now cost an additional GBP 15, roughly equivalent to ₹1,500.
Additionally, student visas will see a price hike of GBP 127, approximately ₹12,750, for travelers from across the globe.
As a result of these changes, the cost of a visit visa for a stay of less than six months will now be GBP 115, which is close to ₹11,500,
while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise to GBP 490, roughly ₹50,000.
The revised visa fees are applicable to a wide range of categories, including fees for visas with durations of up to 6 months, 2, 5, and 10 years,
as well as most fees for entry clearance and specific applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those related to work and study.
Fees for indefinite leave to enter and indefinite leave to remain, health and care visas, fees associated with certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies,
as well as applications for registering and naturalizing as a British Citizen are also impacted.
A spokesperson from the Home Office stated,
“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.”
Furthermore, the updated fee structure for UK visas, applicable to foreigners, including Indians, will take effect from October 4.
The costs of UK visas will see increases for students, skilled workers, and immigrants.
Family, settlement, and citizenship visas will experience a 20% increase in cost, while work and visit visas will incur a 15% hike. The immigration health surcharge (IHS) will rise to GBP 1,035 annually.
For students, including child students and dependents, the visa fee will increase to GBP 490.
Nevertheless, there will be no hike in visa fees for short-term courses where students study English for more than 6 months but no more than 11 months.
As for skilled workers, the visa price will be GBP 719 (approximately ₹65,000) when a certificate sponsorship has been issued for three years or less.
If the sponsorship certificate has been granted for more than three years, the immigration fee will be GBP 1,420, equivalent to roughly ₹129,000.
The visa cost has also been raised for skilled workers in shortage occupations where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less. They will now be required to pay GBP 551, nearly ₹50,351.
For those whose sponsorship certificates have been effective for more than three years, the immigration fee will amount to GBP 1,084 or ₹99,125.
It’s important to note that individuals seeking a visa, permission to stay, or citizenship in the UK will be subject to these revised fees.
