UK Visa Processing Fee Increases

The UK Government is following in the steps of the US Government in terms of increasing fees for visa processing. 

The UK Government has recently announced proposed fee levels for all visa, immigration and nationality applications and services for the period 2009/10.

There are very few changes to the Government fees for in-country applications. For out of country applications proposed fees such as for certain long term visit visa applications are likely to more than double.

The UK Government says that they are undertaking the biggest shake-up of the immigration system for 45 years, which includes:

• fingerprint checks before people come to the United Kingdom;
• a strong new force at the border;
• counting people in and out of the United Kingdom; and
• introducing identity cards for foreign nationals.

In 2009/10 the UK Border Agency plans to spend over £2.2 billion on border controls and the immigration system. UKBA expects that approximately thirty percent of the costs will be paid for out of Government fees.