Why UK raises student, visitor Visa fees –Home Office

*The United Kingdom’s Home Office explains the new Visa fee hikes will enable the government ‘to pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector’, including a sustainable immigration and nationality system

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has announced increases in the costs of student and tourist visas to the European country.

The UK’s Home Office Friday, September 15, 2023, stated “the changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 to £115, while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 to £490, to equal the amount charged for in-country applications.”

The Home Office also explained the increases followed a legislation that was laid by the Parliament Friday.

The new fee hikes will enable the British Government to pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector, it stated.

The UK’s Home Office said that income from fees charged would play a vital role in the Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system.

The changes come less than six months after the UK announced increments in the cost of visa applications and health surcharges.

The Home Office also noted that careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, while continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.

The statement further noted the “changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which are scheduled to be introduced later in the Autumn.”

The immigration and nationality fees increases which are subject to parliamentary approval will take effect from October 4, according to the Home Office.