Mumbai, October 4: The British government has announced a visa increase that will take effect today. With this, a visit visa to the United Kingdom for less than six months will cost GBP (Great Britain Pound) 15 (about 1,500) more, and a student visa would cost GBP 127 (approximately 12,750) more for international visitors. According to the UK Home Office, the cost of a visit visa for less than six months will rise to GBP 115 (almost 11,500) and the charge for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will climb to GBP 490 (nearly 50,000).

According to the official website, the fee increase applies to the majority of visa categories, including fees for up to 6 months, 2, 5, and 10-year visit visas; the majority of fees for entry clearance and certain applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those for work and study, fees for indefinite leave to enter and indefinite leave to remain, health and care visas, fees for certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies, and applications to register as British citizen. US Visa Fees Hike: H-1B, EB-5 Visa Fees To Shoot Up Under Proposed USCIS Rule. 

A Home Office representative stated, "It is right and fair to increase visa application fees so that we can fund vital public services and allow wider funding to contribute to public sector pay."

Fees for Applying for a Visa in United Kingdom

The new cost structure for UK visas for foreigners, including Indians, will take effect on October 4. The cost of UK visas for students, skilled professionals, and immigrants will rise. According to the official website, the cost of family, settlement, and citizenship visas will rise by 20%, while work and visit visas will rise by 15%. The annual immigration health surcharge (IHS) will be increased to GBP 1,035 as well.

The visa fee for students, including dependents and children, will increase to GBP 490. However, the UK government has said that visa fees for short-term courses lasting more than 6 months but no longer than 11 months would not be raised. US on Track To Issue More Than a Million Visas to Indians in 2023, Says Official.

The visa fee for skilled employees with a certificate sponsorship for three years or less will be GBP 719 (Rs 65,000). However, if the sponsorship certificate has been issued for more than three years, the immigration cost will be GBP 1420, or roughly Rs 129,000.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2023 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).