British Visa Fees Increase: Now going to London will be more expensive, British government has increased the visa fees, what will be the impact on Indian workers and students?

Are you planning to go to London? So from today you will have to shell out more money for a visa. The British government has increased the visa fees. The increase in visa fees of the British government has come into effect from October 4. Justifying the increase in visa application fees A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is right and appropriate to increase visa application fees so that we can fund vital public services and provide broader funding to contribute to public sector wages. Can give permission. As the hikes come into effect, let’s take a closer look at the changes in the fee structure and how it will impact Indians who want to work, study or even visit the country.

change in fees

From October 4, all foreigners, including Indians, will have to pay more to get a UK visa. The cost of UK visas has been increased for students, skilled workers and immigrants. According to the Home Office website, the cost of family, settlement and citizenship visas will increase by 20 per cent. The cost of work and travel visas has increased by 15 percent. Those who want to study will have to spend even more. Student visa fees have been increased by 35 percent. Additionally, the immigration health surcharge for students has been increased by 66 per cent from £624 (Rs 62,716) per annum to £1,035 (Rs 1.04 lakh) (and from £470 (Rs 47,243) to £776 (Rs 78,000). The revised fees As per the structure, the visa for students will now cost £490 (Rs 49,234). The cost of a visit visa for less than six months has increased from the earlier cost of £100 (Rs 10,039) to £115 (Rs 11,545). However , the visa for up to two years has increased from £376 (Rs 37,738) to £400 (Rs 40,150). Similarly, the visit visa for a period of five years has been increased from £670 (Rs 67,255) to £771 (Rs 77,390). The visa has been increased from £837 (Rs 84,015) to £963 for a period of up to 10 years.

impact on indians

The change in fee structure for UK visa will significantly impact Indians. One of the main reasons for this is that Indians are at the top in terms of skilled workers and student visas issued by the UK. This comes as per data provided by the office, there was a 63 per cent increase in skilled worker visas granted to Indians, from 13,390 in 2021-22 to 21,837 in 2022-23. Similarly, in the healthcare visa category, Indians recorded a 105 percent increase from 14,485 to 29,726. Additionally, of the 770,000 Indian students who went to study abroad in 2022, 140,000 went to the UK. In fact, in February this year, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis had said that Indian nationals had received the highest number of student visas, overtaking China as the largest nationality issuing sponsored study visas in the country. Is. Britain’s decision to increase visa fees is being criticized from some quarters. Some people have called it Britain’s war against immigrants.

Britain’s argument for increasing visa fees

But as Indians and other foreigners grapple with price hikes, many are still wondering what is the reason for Britain increasing its fees. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had said that visa application fees would be increased significantly to help the government raise money for other areas of public spending. Sunak then said: All fees are going to increase and this will raise more than £1 billion.