UK TO INCREASE FEES FOR VISA FROM MARCH 18

LONDON: Britain is increasing fees for almost all categories of visa from March 18, includ ing those related to tourism students, premium service and settlement. The move will affect applications made in India and those by Indians in Britain.

Official sources said the new fees were intended to “ensure that the Home Office can achieve a self funding system, whilst continuing to provide a competitive level of service, and a fees structure that remains attractive to businesses migrants and visitors”.

Indians are among the larg est applicants and recipients of British visas under various cat egories every year. Immigration minister James Brokenshire opened a new visa centre in Lucknow in February.

Among the biggest increases is a 25% rise in fees for applica tions for settlement, residence and nationality fees, because the sources said, “these routes deliver the most benefits to suc cessful applicants”.

Indian professionals and others on visas leading to settlement in Britain will also see a steep rise of £374 when applying for ‘indefinite leave to remain’: the fee will rise from £1500 to £1875.

For Indians with indefinite leave to remain and seeking to naturalise as British citizen, the fee will go up from £1005 to £1236

A 33% increase from exist ing fees has been announced for optional premium services, such as the super premium service and priority visa services overseas.