5 April 2017
It has been announced that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) processing fees are set to increase tomorrow, 6 April 2017. The new Home Office immigration and nationality fees were approved by Parliament on 3 April 2017. The significant increase is seen at the settlement fiancée, unmarried partner and spouse visa applications made outside the UK and indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications for non-EEA nationals who have already completed their five-year probationary period in the UK. The new fees are as follows.
The cost of applying for a UK settlement fiancée, partner and marriage visa is set to rise from its current rate of £1,195 to £1,464 per applicant (£269 increase). Postal indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and further leave to remain (FLR) applications for temporary visa holders with no dependents will cost more – £2,297 (£422 increase) and £993 (£182 increase), respectively. Those who wish to apply in person (same day service) at the local UKVI public enquiry offices will have to pay an additional fee of £590 on top of the standard application fee. Dependants must pay a separate application fee, which is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the principal applicant’s immigration application.
The UKVI settlement priority (fast track) visa service fee will rise to £551 (currently £450) per applicant, including any dependents, regardless of age. This additional service is available to eligible applicants in participating countries which guarantees the settlement partner, fiancée or spousal visa application will be processed at the front of the UKVI queue, normally within 10 to 15 working days. It should be noted that this service does not guarantee a successful outcome, as settlement priority applications not meeting the UKVI criteria for approval will be refused. Unsuccessful applicants are not entitled to a refund.
