Rishi Sunak Announces Changes in UK Visa Application Fees 2024

Why is it getting harder to apply for a UK visa? The immigration health premium and the cost of applying for a UK visa have both increased significantly, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The purpose of these adjustments is to raise money for public expenditure, namely to bolster recent salary increases in the public sector.

Why the fees hike?

Sunak connected the fee rise to paying higher wages for employees in the public sector in a recent speech. The wage rise for teachers will be 6.5%, for junior doctors it will be 6%, and for police officers it will be 7%. Sunak made it clear that there will be no more talks and that these compensation increases represent the last offer. According to Sunak, these levies will generate over a billion pounds, and the immigrant health surcharge will go up as well.

Current UK Visa Fees

Visa costs differ based on the industry, kind, length, and purpose of the visa. Since its inception in 2015, the immigration health surcharge has steadily increased. The application fee was initially £200, however, it was increased to £400 in 2018, £624 for adults in 2020, and £470 for minors enrolled as students.

What’s the New Fee Structure?

The government declared a 15% rise in work visa costs. There will be a minimum 20% increase in other Visa fees. The yearly Immigration Health Surcharge is now £1,035 per person, with children and students paying a discounted rate of £776.

UK Visa Processing Time: May 2024 | UK Visa Status

We’ll be discussing UK visa processing dates and expectations in this blog. Although obtaining a UK visa may be a difficult and stressful procedure, as we all know, part of the anxiety can be reduced by being aware of the anticipated processing dates. This update serves as a brief manual for what to anticipate after submitting your visa application.

Standard Processing Times

The Home Office has established deadlines for handling various forms of visa applications. Applications for entrance clearance non-settlement visas, including Standard Visitor Visas, from applicants outside the United Kingdom, are normally handled in 15 working days. However, settlement requests, such as those for family visas, could take up to 24 weeks.

The processing times for applicants from the UK vary greatly. Under the regular service, applications for leave to remain as a worker, spouse, or student are typically processed within eight weeks. It is anticipated that applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain will take about six months.

Expedited Options

The Home Office provides priority and super priority services at an extra expense for anyone who must depart immediately. Whereas the super priority service strives for a 24-hour turnaround, the priority service seeks to return a decision within five working days.

What are the factors influencing processing times?

How long it takes to process your application depends on several things. These include the application’s accuracy, the need for more proof, the application’s complexity, the amount of evidence supplied, the caseworkers’ abilities, and more general global political difficulties. These components have the potential to greatly increase processing times over baseline durations.

You can lessen the uncertainty frequently associated with UK visa applications and better prepare for the waiting period by being aware of these processing times and considerations.