Last week the Home Office published changes to immigration fees for 2014 to 2015. The changes came into force on the 6 April 2014; these included new fees for visas, immigration and nationality application, and associated premium services. There is a 4% rise for most fees including the short-term visitor visa and most work, study and settlement applications. The Home Office has said that the increases will allow them to continue to improve their customer service, ensuring those who benefit the most from the improved immigration and visa service meet more of the costs.
The Home Offices Key Changes:
- As we mentioned above the fees for most applications, including short-term visit, work, study and settlement will increase by 4%;
- Main applicants applying for dependants outside the UK are set at the same level as main applicants, however, there  is a 25% discount for in-UK dependants applying with main applicants removed;
- The nationality fees have been restructured, with discounts for child applications
- Priority postal service fee has increased to £300 and the in-person application fee to £400;
- Those who need a visa to pass through the UK in transit will see a decrease to £40 (direct air-side transit visa);
- Sponsor action plans and Tier 2 large sponsorship licenses  fees have decreased, along with a number of other sponsorship fees being frozen;
-  Applicants both  in the UK and overseas will be charged a fee of £428 for Tier 2 shortage occupations;
- The Home Office has introduced a new 5 year Tier 2 general and ICT application;
- The 10 year long term visit visa has been frozen at £737; and
- There is a new registered traveller fee, when the scheme is rolled-out.
Home Office: Will Set A Single Global Fee for Applications Made Outside the UK
For applications made outside the UK, the Home office will also set a single global fee for a number of optional premium services, as well as expanding many of these services.
The Home Office will charge the following:
- For priority visa service (3 to 5 day), £100 or £300 for priority settlement applications;
- For super priority visa service (24 hours), £600;
- For the new user pays visa application centres, where applicants can submit applications in more convenient locations, £59; and
- For applicants who make appointments outside office hours, they will be charged a fee of £50 and for an expanded passport pass-back service, they will be charged £40.
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