Every
year there are many proposed changes to the Immigration rules that
come into effect on the 6th of April. But this year for the first
time the Home Office has increased the fees for various visa
categories and at the same time these new fees have come into effect
on the 18th of March.
The
fees for many visa categories have been increased by approximately 2%
for visit, study and work visas - the fees for further leave to
remain applications have gone up to £811 from £649, but the good
news is that the fees for spouse
visa applications made in country remains the same at
£649.
In
the case of Tier 2 applications the good news is that the fees for
the Tier 2 General shortage occupation have remained unchanged but
the fees for the Tier 2 General Intra Company Transfer have been
increased for both the short term and the long term categories.
The
visit visa fees have gone up from £85 to £87 whereas the fees for
settlement, residence and nationality have been increased by 25% fees
for the settlement visa in the last year 2015 was £1500 and this
year on the 18th of March 2016 the fees for all settlement
applications have been increased to £1875 which is a very steep
increase.
The
fees for naturalisation applications has also gone up by £231 and is
now £1236.
Targeted
increases have also been applied to premium services, such as the
priority visa service or the fast track postal service.
A
new legislation will set maximum levels on the amounts for broad
categories of fees that can be charged by the Home Office over the
next 4 years. Although there are no current plans to raise fees to
the maximum levels this increase will be introduced in the next few
years.
According
to the Home Office these increases will allow them to reduce taxpayer
contributions towards the border, immigration and citizenship system
and ensure that by 2019–2020 the system is self funded by those who
use it.
If
you need a U.K immigration lawyer and need assistance with any aspect
of UK immigration law whether from inside the U.K or from overseas,
contact Shalini V Bhargava of Aschfords Law in Harrow, London. We
also provide legal advise and assistance in respect of Family Law,
Wills & Probate, Litigation, Landlord & Tenant. Please
contact us today on +44 (0) 7582932830 or visit our website on
www.aschfordslaw.com
