The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration has in Parliament called for an increase of the fees for specific UK Immigration and Nationality Applications.
The majority of the fees have not increased more than 7%. The fee increase which has caused the most concern is the dependent relative visa applications. This fee has increased from £585.00 to £1,680, this has nearly trebled in cost. The apparent rationale behind the increase has come amidst fears that the expense on health and social services for foreign nationals’ parents and grandparents who are not able to care for themselves increases in older people and hence this needs to be reflected in the application fee.
There will be a 10% fee charge on every immigration and nationality application for the individual child of a migrant who is in the UK already and who wants to extend their family’s stay. The apparent rationale behind this increase, is to reflect that each individual application bears a processing cost to the UK Border Agency.
It should also be noted that the fee of a visa for migrants applying to settle in the UK will increase by £59.00 to £644.00 For migrants who are already in the UK, the cost of applying for settlement will rise by £20.00 to £840.00, and the cost for applying to become a British citizen will increase by £15.00 to £655.00.
The UK Border Agency are of the view that the increase in fees does not prevent the UK’s ability to attract migrants and visitors that make a valued contribution. Phil Woolas had stated that the increases in the fees was only fair as those individuals who benefit from the UK immigration system should contribute to funding it.
