UK visa fees to increase – here’s when
The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has revealed when the UK visa application fees hike will come into effect. Here are the details…
UK VISA FEES TO SEE A HIKE
In July this year, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that visa fees for the UK would soon go up significantly for applicants from all over the world.
ALSO READ: FlyNamibia announces new Cape Town triangular route
According to reports, Sunak said that the visa application fees would rise in order to finance public sector wage increases, following recent strikes.
ALSO READ: A new fee to enter the UK: Here’s what it means for South Africans
“We are going to increase the charges that we have for migrants who are coming to this country when they apply for visas and indeed, something called the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which is the levy that they pay to access the country’s National Health Service,” Sunak said.
Now, according to Travel News, the official date for the visa fee hike will be from 4 October 2023.
ALSO READ: UK to introduce new Electronic Travel Authorisation system
HOW MUCH ARE VISAS CURRENTLY?
According to Sable International, UK visa prices are currently priced as follows:
- Ancestry visa – £531 (R12 563)
- Partner/spouse visa – £1 538 (R36 388)
- Innovator Founder visa – £1 036 (R24 510)
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (more than 3 years) – £1 235 (R29,219)
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (less than 3 years) – £625 (R14 786)
- Skilled Worker visa – shortage occupation (less than 3 years) – £479 (R11 333)
- Skilled Worker visa – shortage occupation (more than 3 years) – £943 (R22 310)
- Health and Care visa (less than 3 years) – £247 (R5 844)
- Health and Care visa (more than 3 years) – £479 (R11 333)
- Student visa – £490 (R11 593)
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa – £259 (R6 128)
- Visitor visa (6 months) – £100 (R2 366)
- Visitor visa (2 years) – £376 (R8 896)
ALSO READ: Cyprus Golden Visa for South Africans
READ MORE: What the VFS is going on with SA passport and visa applications in the UK?