New UK fiancee, partner and marriage visa application fees proposed
The UK government has announced its intention to raise the cost of visa, nationality and immigration application fees as of 6 April 2014, and 31 March 2014 for some overseas premium services. Although the fee increases are still due to be fully ratified by Parliament, it is fully expected that the rises will go ahead, meaning the cost of many common visa types will go up by 4%. The changes will also see a number of new priority services introduced which will give applicants the option of expediting their applications at an additional cost.
The cost of visa applications for fiancee, unmarried partner and marriage visas, as well as short-term visitor visas, will all be subject to the 4% price rise. The cost of certain other visa types will also be raised, although UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) say that wider ranging price increases were avoided, due to specific targeting. The UKVI also states that as well as introducing premium services, the rise in processing fees will also enable them to improve customer service.
The additional priority services being introduced include:
- a 3-5 day priority visa service for non-settlement applications for a fee of £100;
- a priority settlement application service which will be priced at £300 (this service currently costs £200);
- a super priority visa service intended to expedite the application process to its swiftest possible time period, for a fixed fee of £600;
- the passport ‘passback service’ will be available at more UKVI offices, subject to a fee of £40 per applicant; finally
- appointments will be available outside of regular office hours subject to a fee of £50 per applicant.
Also subject to the 4% price rise will be the cost of applying for a settlement fiancee, partner and marriage visa from outside the UK. This is set to rise to a cost £885 per applicant, up from the current rate of £851. The cost of a postal further leave to remain (FLR) application will rise to £601, whereas the cost of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications for temporary partner and spousal visa holders without dependents will go up to £1093. For any applicants who wish to apply in person making use of the same-day service, this will be subject to a £400 fee per person, additional to the relevant standard fee. Any dependents are required to pay a separate application fee; this fee will be non-refundable, regardless of whether the principal applicant’s application is successful or not.
