UK Government Announces Significant Increase in Immigration Fees
The UK government has announced massive increases to immigration fees and the immigration health surcharge. The changes, which were announced on 13 July 2023, will take effect from 6 April 2024.
The most significant increase is to the immigration health surcharge, which will rise from £624 per year to £1,035 per person. This surcharge is paid by workers entering the UK for a period of six months or more, and by the family members of migrants and British citizens alike.
Other visa fees will also increase, with work and visit visas rising by 15% and student visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement, citizenship, entry clearance and leave to remain applications by “at least 20%”.
The government has said that the increases are necessary to “ensure that the UK can continue to attract the skilled workers and international talent it needs”. However, critics have argued that the increases will make it more difficult for people to come to the UK, and will disproportionately impact low-income migrants.
The following are the key changes to immigration fees announced by the UK government:
The immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 per year to £1,035 per person.
Work and visit visas will rise by 15%.
Student visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement, citizenship, entry clearance and leave to remain applications will increase by “at least 20%”.
The fee for priority service applications will be equalised for student and work visas, so that a visa applicant pays the same fee whether they are applying for a visa from within the UK or from overseas.
The government has said that the increases will be used to “fund the pay rise for doctors” that was announced earlier this year. However, critics have argued that the increases will make it more difficult for people to come to the UK, and will disproportionately impact low-income migrants.
It remains to be seen how the increases will impact the number of people coming to the UK. However, it is clear that the government is taking a more restrictive approach to immigration.
