Today, Immigration Minister Mark Harper laid a written ministerial statement proposing fee increases for visa applications made overseas, and applications made in the UK.
The proposals laid in Parliament today and on 14 March, subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2013.
Immigration Minister, Mark Harper said:
‘These increases are mostly in line with inflation and will ensure that the UK continues to welcome the brightest and the best. It is only right that those who use and benefit from the immigration system should contribute more than the UK taxpayer.’
The proposed fee increases takes place against a difficult financial context for the UK Border Agency and the government as a whole. We believe our proposals to increase fees strike the right balance between ensuring the UK Border Agency continues to provide a world class service and maintaining a fees structure that does not inhibit the UK’s ability to continue to attract those businesses, migrants and visitors who most benefit the UK.
These adjustments will also allow us to improve our levels of customer service and deliver a high quality immigration service at a challenging time for public finances across the UK.
A full table of the proposed fees is included in the written ministerial statement.
Link: UKBA Home Office
