By Gene Alcantara

If you are still renewing your visa in the United Kingdom, that is you only have leave to remain or what is called temporary visa, then you will be affected by this development. 

If you are applying for a visa to join your spouse or partner, or your parent, in the UK from overseas, you will be affected by this development from the time you submit your application at the British Embassy or British High Commission in your country of origin.

At the present time the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) standard fee for applicants over the age of 18 is £624 per year, or £1,560 for a 2.5 years renewal.  The IHS fee enables an applicant to use the National Health Service in the UK.

From 16 January 2024 this figure is set to increase to £1035 per year, or £2,587.50 for a 2.5 years renewal.

Please note that applicants from overseas will find that their current IHS charge of £1,560 for a 2.5 years Leave to Enter visa, usually charged in US Dollars or Euros at the local British consular office, becomes more expensive due to the higher exchange rate used locally.  Expect to pay c US$2,000.  With the new fees, expect to pay c US$3,000.

Applicants under the age of 18 are exempted from the IHS.  European family members are also exempt.  Applicants with Indefinite Leave to Remain, Settlement and British citizens are not covered by this requirement.

Immigration visa fees generally increased in October 2023

Applicants will have noticed a general increase in visa fees across the board from October 2023.

Applications in the UK

Leave to Remain — applicants will now pay £1,048.

Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants – will now pay £2,885

Naturalisation (British citizenship) – now £1,500

Nationality registration as a British citizen – child – now £1,214

Overseas applications

Visit visa — 6 months ie one time, now £115.

Visit visa – long up to 2 years, now £400.

Visit visa – long up to 5 years, now £771.

Visit visa – long up to 10 years, now £963.

Route to Settlement – adult and child – now £1,846.  But please note that IHS is payable for adult dependants joining a spouse/partner.  As the visa fee is collected in US Dollars or Euros, expect to pay a higher charge due to exchange rate fluctuations.  There is also an impending increase in the income of the sponsor from £18,600 to £38,700, a drastic increase by £20,100 for those who want to bring their families to the UK. 

Skilled Worker – shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants – now £551

Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants – now £284, but please note that there is a pending proposal to ban dependants from joining the Skilled Workers in the UK

Student – main applicant and dependants – now £490, but please note that there is a pending proposal to ban dependants from joining the student in UK

Priority Visa service overseas – Settlement and non Settlement – now £500

Expedited processing – Priority Visa service in the UK – now £500

Super Priority service in the UK – now £1,000

There are many other immigration categories that have increased from October 2023.  If your requirement does not show above, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-4-october-2023 .

If you have any concerns or questions about how the changes may affect you, please do not hesitate to get in touch.