News

Immigration Fee Increases From 6th April 2017

Posted onApril 7, 2017

As of 6^th April 2017, some Immigration fees are have been increased. Areas that will be impacted the most include:

settlement, resident and nationality applications
premium services, such as priority visa service

Even though many of the increases are small, they will be compounded by some of the other changes which came into force on 6^th April 2017, including the £1,000 skills charge for each non-EEA recruit employed by a UK employer. Some smaller organisations may have no choice but to pass this charge onto the Tier 2 visa applicant.

Examples of some of the Immigration fee increases

Some of the steepest increases in fees include:

Settlement – other dependent relative, up £574 from 2016
Indefinite Leave to Remain, up £422 from 2016
Other leave to remain, up £182
Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules, up £422 from 2016
Retired person of independent means, up 344 from 2016
Super premium service, up £1,750 from 2016
Mobile premium service, up £1,013 from 2016

What do these Immigration fee increases mean?

It seems the British government learnt its lesson last year, after having to make an abrupt U-turn on Immigration fee increases of up to 500% in some instances. The outcry from the best Immigration lawyers and lobby groups was deafening, causing ministers to promise to take on a more extensive review of fees in the future.

By comparison, this year’s increases are relatively modest. Some of the priority service fees have seen a hefty jump, but these are more likely to be used by wealthier migrants applying for Tier 1 investor and Entrepreneur Visas.

If you have any questions or concerns about the new fees, please contact us for an appointment.

OTS Solicitors is regarded as one of the best Immigration law firms in the UK. If you need advice on any Immigration law matters, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our dedicated Immigration lawyers.

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