The UK government has announced a new set of visa fees that will come into effect from 13 April 2023. The new fees will affect various categories of visas, such as visit, work, study, settlement and nationality.
According to the Home Office website, the visa fees are revised annually to ensure that they reflect the cost of processing applications and to support the delivery of a world-class immigration service. The Home Office also claims that the UK visa fees are competitive and offer good value for money.
However, some of the visa fees have increased significantly compared to the previous year. For example, the fee for a Skilled Worker visa, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years, has increased from £1,220 to £1,250 for the main applicant and dependants2. Similarly, the fee for a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years, has increased from £1,220 to £1,250 for the main applicant and dependants.
On the other hand, some of the visa fees have remained unchanged or decreased slightly. For instance, the fee for a visit visa for up to six months has remained at £100 for the main applicant and dependants. The fee for a student visa has also remained at £363 for applications made outside the UK and £490 for applications made inside the UK.
The new visa fees have received mixed reactions from the public and stakeholders. Some have welcomed the changes as a necessary measure to maintain the quality and efficiency of the immigration system. Others have criticised the changes as unfair and detrimental to the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for tourism, education, business and innovation.
The full list of visa fees can be found on the Home Office website. Applicants are advised to check the latest information before applying for a UK visa.
