UK Visa Fee Increase: Visiting Britain Just Got Pricier
In a step that is likely to affect both travelers and immigrants, the United Kingdom recently introduced a dramatic increase in visa fees in multiple categories. The increased fees make visits to Britain, as well as residing in the country, costlier for many.
Fee Increase in Different Categories
The United Kingdom government raised visa fees in a number of categories, which include:
Visitor visas: The charges for visitor visas, under which people can come to the UK for a short stay, have gone up by 15-20%. The new rates are between £100 and £822 (around ₹9,500 to ₹78,000), depending on the length and type of visa.
Work visas: Work visa fees, which allow people to work in the UK, have gone up by 10-15%. The new fee starts from £610 to £1,408 (around ₹57,000 to ₹1.32 lakh) based on the visa type and duration.
Study visas: Study visa fees, which permit foreign students to study in the UK, have gone up by 10-15%. The new rate starts at £348 and goes up to £455 (about ₹32,000 to ₹42,000), depending on the duration and category of the visa.
Settlement visas: Settlement visa fees, which allow people to reside and work in the UK indefinitely, have gone up by 10-15%. The new fee is between £1,523 and £2,389 (around ₹1.43 lakh to ₹2.24 lakh), based on the category and length of the visa.
Impact on Travelers and Immigrants
The visa fee increase is set to affect tourists and immigrants from India and other nations considerably. The higher fees will render it costlier for people to visit, work, study, or reside in the UK.
Alternative Options
Although the increase in visa fee may sound prohibitive, there are other options for people who want to visit or reside in the UK. For example, people can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, through which young people are able to reside and work in the UK for two years.
Conclusion
The UK visa price increase is a major milestone that's going to affect visitors and immigrants from India and other nations. Although the higher prices look intimidating, one needs to consider the costs and advantages of traveling to or residing in the UK. By making proper plans and doing proper research, one can overcome the new visa charges and turn the fantasy of visiting or residing in the UK into reality.