New immigration fees proposed

[Terpe]

03 February 2014

The government has announced proposals to change the fees charged for visas, immigration and nationality applications and associated premium services.

If Parliament approves the changes the new fees will apply from 6 April 2014. Some fees for premium services overseas will apply from 31 March 2014.

The proposals increase most fees by 4 percent, including the short-term visit visa. Other targeted increases are being proposed so that we can limit wider general increases.

The increases will allow us to improve our customer service, and enable us to begin offering optional premium services, including:
a 3-5 day priority visa service costing £100;
a priority settlement application service for a fee of £300;
a super priority visa service for £600, which will expedite the application process to the shortest period possible;
new user pay visa application centres, in addition to the current centres, where applicants can submit applications and enrol biometrics at additional locations for an additional fee of £53;
appointments outside of office hours for a fee of £50; and
offering a passport passback service at more locations, which will be charged at £40 per applicant.

The proposals also contain a number of fee reductions and changes, including:
reducing the fee for direct airside transit visa to £40;
reducing sponsorship fees for Tier 2 large sponsor licenses and sponsor action plans, and freezing a number of other sponsorship fees;
introducing a Tier 2 shortage occupations fee of £428 for applicants both overseas and in the UK;
introducing a new 5 year Tier 2 general/ICT application; and
changing the discount for nationals of countries that have ratified the 1961 European Social Charter to a flat rate of £55.

A copy of the proposed new fees table and the written ministerial statement is avaliable at GOV.UK

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...75-fees-change

[Terpe]

The basic visit visa increases from the current £80 to a new proposed £83

The Settlement Entry Visa increases from the current £851 to a new proposed £885

Naturalisation (UK Citizenship) increases from the current £794 to a new proposed £906

There are no increases at all for any European Residence Documents which remain at £55

The ILR increases from the current £1051 to a new proposed £1093

The FLR increases from the current £578 to a new proposed £601

Note: For applications made in person (e.g. at a public enquiry office) the total fee is the relevant standard fee plus £400 per person (this includes the £100 appointment fee, which may be retained should the applicant fail to attend their appointment without good reason).

[stevewool]

just like everything, once a year all the bills go up

[Terpe]

just like everything, once a year all the bills go up

We're lucky to be done with all that now

[stevewool]

indeed Peter, i would not like to be going down that road again, not only for the money sake but the time it takes now,

[raynaputi]

[Arthur Little]

If Parliament approves the changes ...

... which it WILL - make no bones about it - the hardest hit being the Settlement Categories, with the exception of any EU Residence Documents (as usual!) I notice.