Starting from October 4, 2023, the United Kingdom government has implemented substantial increases in most UK visa fees, with some seeing a notable rise of up to 35%.
Visa fees were already deemed expensive, causing financial strain on individuals in our communities who seek to reside, study, or work in the country.
The decision to raise visa fees is viewed by many as inequitable, divisive, and untimely, particularly given the current cost of living crisis impacting everyone.
The elevated visa costs are pushing families to their financial limits, forcing them to live paycheck to paycheck while saving for visa expenses.
This financial burden is especially challenging for families intending to establish permanent residency in the UK, as they are required to reapply every two years, potentially spanning a decade.
Consequently, numerous families are enduring financial instability due to these requirements.
The government’s swift implementation of these fee increases, well above the inflation rate, is concerning.
Key increases encompass a 15% hike in work and visitor fees, a substantial 35% surge in student visa fees for overseas applicants, and a 20% elevation in settlement and British citizenship fees.
Individuals seeking to make the UK their home already face the substantial costs of application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which must be paid every 30 months to retain basic rights such as working and renting a home.
Many applicants may have spent over £10,000 on visa fees and associated expenses by the time they achieve settlement. For families, the financial burden is significantly greater.
These increases disproportionately impact working-class individuals of colour. The consequences of being unable to afford these fees are severe, potentially rendering individuals undocumented, stripping them of the right to work, rent a home, or access healthcare safely in their own home.
These fee hikes mean that the Home Office is generating significant profits from individuals applying to reside in the UK.
For instance, applicants seeking to stay in the UK with their partners will now be required to pay nearly £2000 in fees for an application that costs the Home Office just £366 to process.
In addition to the aforementioned increases, the Home Office is poised to elevate the Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 per year to a staggering £1,035 per year, imposing a substantial additional burden on individuals applying to stay in the UK.
This charge effectively double-taxes migrants for NHS usage, despite their integral role in sustaining our healthcare and public services. For more on the newly introduced fees, visit here.
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