Posted on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in News
The government has recently set down its regulations for immigration and nationality fees for 2010/11.
The Government reviews the fees on a regular basis and makes appropriate changes as necessary; the fees proposals support the government's commitment to take forward its priority issue of strengthening UK borders. Fees that are set above cost allow the government to generate revenue which is used to fund the UK immigration system and to set certain fees below cost recovery. This also assists the government to support wider objectives such as the development and delivery of the Points Based System, the rollout of ID cards for foreign nationals and investment in IT capability both overseas and in the UK. In 2010, the government will continue to strengthen that capability via improvements to the speed and quality of decision making on visa applications.
The government has placed a limit on the extent of general fee increases by taking a more targeted approach to fees adjustment which is consistent with both the UKBA's strategic charging principles, and also with broader government objectives. For the majority of application routes a maximum increase of 2.5% is proposed, but some new chargeable services have been introduced.
The proposal is to freeze the fees for acting as a sponsor under the PBS, whilst maintaining the existing concessions for small businesses, charities, education providers and the arts and entertainment sectors.
One proposal is to increase the fees for applications made at the UKBA Public Enquiry Office above inflation to reflect the benefits such a service offers. The belief is that a £50 increase to the fee for Tier 1 post-study better aligns this fee with that for other Tier 1 routes, where the entitlements such as the ability to remain in the UK without sponsorship and unlimited access to the labour market, are most similar.
A nominal charge will be introduced for dependents in the UK of 10% of the main applicant's fee. Individuals applying from overseas (including dependents) each pay a separate fee, and it is the governments intention that the same model be applied for applications made in the UK.
The government believes its proposals continue to strike the right balance between maintaining secure and effective border controls, and ensuring that the fees structure does not inhibit the UK's ability to attract those migrants and visitors that make a valued contribution.
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