I see the visa fees are going up again.

[andy222]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...df?view=Binary

[Arthur Little]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...df?view=Binary

What a cheek that man Harper has ... pointing out that UKBA is seeking to limit increases to *3% in order to keep pace with inflation!

How many folk on an average wage receive *that amount of a rise nowadays???

If his article weren't so serious ... it would be laughable, really!

[Terpe]

Just shows how wrong my thinking was.

I really thought they'd freeze the fees what with the economic climate and the continuing disgraceful performance of UKBA

Let's hope they don't apply the same logic to Income Thresholds for financial requirements.

[raynaputi]

This is sooooooo awful!!! They can't even do their job properly!!!

[Arthur Little]

... are they trying to add insult to injury?

Extracted from:

Written Ministerial Statement Announcing Proposed Fees For 2013-14

"The UK Border Agency has given careful consideration to its fees levels to ensure they provide the funding necessary to operate effective immigration control and invest in improving service levels to customers."

... WHAT "service" to customers?

[hawk]

those who use and benefit directly from the system to make a greater contribution.what a joke those who benefit the most dont pay anything to come into uk for visas they just head straight for the dole office and given everything but the ukba/goverment take more money from us because they know that if we want our wifes/partners here in uk were going to pay and they know we cant do or say a single thing to stop it getting screwed as usual

[joebloggs]

not fit for purpose but make Brits pay more

why are some visa's issued at nearly what it cost to process, yet those visa's a partner of a Brtisih citizen would require , they are making £450 on the settlement visa, £650 profit on ILR and £700 profit on citizenship

[ConfusedMe]

We were saving per month to apply for my ILR this year, I guess we have to save harder this time...

[Arthur Little]

Numerous other "goods and services" costing less than half the price of Settlement Visas can be paid for in monthly instalments over "x" number of years.

But I guess ... even if that method of payment were to be introduced [ha,ha - some hopes!!] the interest rates would be extortionate.

Cheaper taking out a second bloody mortgage!

[andy222]

It will look great on the immigration figures though coming up to the election. It will be about the only thing this government can boast about.

[bigmarco]

Just shows how wrong my thinking was.

I really thought they'd freeze the fees what with the economic climate and the continuing disgraceful performance of UKBA

Let's hope they don't apply the same logic to Income Thresholds for financial requirements.

Interesting point. Surely in times of austerity and after having had a 2 year public sector pay freeze they wouldn't dare.

[Terpe]

Did anyone else notice the very sneaky move to charge £55 for a European Residence Certificate (both normal and permanent)

Now according to EU directives on free movement etc these should be issue free.
Application for formal residence is not mandatory

Here's the footnote associated with that change:-

Residence Documents issued under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations are not mandatory. These fees will be introduced later in 2013 when the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 have been amended. Full information will be provided on the UKBA website.

Makes me wonder what changes are coming relating to EU freedom of movement.
I wonder if UKBA are thinking to close-off the EEA route for British Citizens, or even for EEA nationals???

[Arthur Little]

Did anyone else notice the very sneaky move to charge £55 for a European Residence Certificate (both normal and permanent)

... that one went over my head, I'm afraid. But nothing should surprise us about UKBA anymore.

Now according to EU directives on free movement etc these should be issued free.
Application for formal residence is not mandatory

Here's the *footnote associated with that change:-

*Please see #12

's how it reads, admittedly. But ... ... who knows?

Makes me wonder what changes are coming relating to EU freedom of movement.
I wonder if UKBA are thinking to close-off the EEA route for British Citizens, or even for EEA nationals???

... wouldn't it be fairer all round if they WERE to do that? Strip the non-British EEA applicants of their current prerogative to exercise their 'Treaty Rights' in bringing their **non-European partners here ... and force them to pay through the nose for this so-called **"privilege" - in the same way as the rest of us have had to for years.

[andy222]

Good point Arthur.

[stevewool]

who really thought they would not go up,

[Arthur Little]

Good point Arthur.

... thanks for your support, Andy.

[imagine]

you're spot on Arthur, but knowing sods law,

non-British EEA applicants will keep intact their current prerogative to exercise their 'Treaty Rights' in bringing their non-European partners here,

and the rest of us here will lose every drop of our rights.

[Arthur Little]

you're spot on Arthur, but knowing sods law,

non-British EEA applicants will keep intact their current prerogative to exercise their 'Treaty Rights' in bringing their non-European partners here,

and the rest of us here will lose every drop of our rights.

Ah ... ... you're probably right, Stewart. But even so, I'm pleased to see someone else has taken at least enough notice of my post #13 to be prompted into responding to an issue I've had a "bee in my bonnet" about ever since I first became aware of the present unfair, discriminatory ruling.

[oakwell]

While we discuss the April increase as being unfair did anybody notice the hit the pound is taking against the US DOLLAR. Settlement app fee in the Phil $1363 according to todays rates on OANDA = 902.48 pounds mmmmmm.........? Food for thought