UK VISAS WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE

NEW DELHI/LONDON: Starting Thursday, obtaining visas for UK will get tougher and more expensive for Indians and other non-european Union citizens, who mostly use Tier 2 category of visa to enter UK.

The multiple changes incorporated in the Tier 2 category of visas includes “Immigration Skills Charge” — which requires British companies to shell out money by companies who wish to hire Indian or non-eu nationals.

“Set at 1,000 pounds per employee per year, and a reduced rate of 364 pounds for small or charitable organisations, it (Immigration Skills Charge) is designed to cut down on the number of businesses taking on migrant workers and incentivise training British staff to fill those jobs,” the UK Home Office was quoted as saying by PTI.

This might prove detrimental for Indian workers looking for employment in the UK.

The latest levy, however, offers an exemption to retain workers ‘helpful’ in contributing towards the British economy.

The regulations would not be applicable to Phd-level jobs and international students switching from student visas to working visas.

The UK Home Officer added this was, “a key protection to help retain the talented workers and students who are vital in helping the British economy grow.”

The changes, which were announced in 2016, are being made by British government in their efforts to cut down the number of immigrants and have stringent visa regulations.