THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
UK Visa Fee Increase Will Make Britain More Expensive for Students and Workers
Indian Workers Association Criticises Government Decision, Calls for Review
Leicester (England), 27 March (Sukhjinder Singh Dhadde) – The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) has strongly criticised the UK Government’s decision to increase immigration and visa fees from 8 April, saying the move will place an additional financial burden on migrants, international students, workers and families.
In a press statement, the Association said the United Kingdom already operates one of the most expensive immigration systems in the world and the latest increase in visa charges will make it even more difficult for ordinary people to visit, study, work or settle in Britain.
According to the revised Home Office fee structure coming into effect on 8 April, several visa and immigration charges have increased. The fee for a six-month visit visa has risen from £127 to £135. The two-year visit visa fee has increased from £475 to £506, the five-year visit visa from £848 to £903 and the ten-year visit visa from £1,059 to £1,128.
The student visa fee has also increased from £524 to £558. The Association said international students already face high tuition fees and living costs in the UK, and the increase in visa fees further adds to their financial burden.
The Skilled Worker visa fee has increased from £769 to £819 for visas granted for up to three years and from £1,519 to £1,618 for visas issued for more than three years. Similarly, the Health and Care visa fee has increased from £304 to £324 for visas up to three years and from £590 to £628 for visas longer than three years. Fees for Temporary Work visas, the Youth Mobility Scheme and the India Young Professionals Scheme have also increased from £319 to £340.
The Association also pointed out that several immigration applications made inside the UK have become more expensive. Visitor extension fees have increased from £1,100 to £1,172, while the cost of applying for leave to remain has increased from £1,321 to £1,407. The fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has increased from £3,029 to £3,226.
In addition, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee has increased from £16 to £20. Nationality-related fees have also increased, with the cost of British citizenship naturalisation rising from £1,605 to £1,709. Employer sponsor licence fees have also increased, rising from £1,579 to £1,682 for large sponsors and from £574 to £611 for small sponsors.
The Indian Workers Association said migrants already face significant expenses, including visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge and other administrative charges. Repeated increases in these fees risk making the immigration system inaccessible for many ordinary families and workers.
The Association also stated that rising visa charges show immigration fees increasingly serve as a revenue-raising tool rather than simply covering administrative costs.
It also warned that higher visa fees discourage international students from choosing the UK as a study destination and create difficulties for employers who rely on overseas workers in sectors such as healthcare, social care, engineering and technology.
The organisation also highlighted the continuing high costs faced by families applying for visas, settlement and citizenship, stating that immigration must not become a privilege available only to those who can afford excessive government fees.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), said migrants, students and workers make an enormous contribution to the UK economy and society. He said increasing visa fees again places additional pressure on families and discourages talented people from coming to the United Kingdom.
He called on the government to reconsider the latest visa fee increases and ensure that the immigration system remains fair, accessible and affordable.
