header-logo header-logo

Immigration fees hike criticised

19 July 2023
Issue: 8034 / Categories: Legal News , Immigration & asylum , Public
printer mail-detail
Immigration visa fees and the immigration heath surcharge are to rise significantly to help fund an increase in public sector pay, the government has confirmed.

The surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per person, and the discounted rate for students and children will increase to £776.

The cost of work visas and visit visas will increase by 15%, and the cost of study visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement, citizenship, wider entry clearance, leave to remain and priority visas will rise by at least 20%.

However, the increase has been criticised by immigration lawyers and support groups.

Immigration barrister Colin Yeo, of Garden Court Chambers, questioned whether increasing immigration fees to fund a public sector pay rise was legal, since s 68 of the Immigration Act 2014 ‘sets out an exhaustive list of considerations to which the home secretary may have regard’, which does not include the purpose stated by the government.

Yeo, in his freemovement.org.uk website, calculated that ‘the cost of a settlement application will therefore rise to at least £2,885 per person.

‘For a family of four, that will be over £11,500 in total. That family will also have paid something like £15,000 in immigration health surcharge costs, and that assumes no further price rises in the next five years. And their visa fees will typically have amounted to around £6,200.

‘They will have needed to pay for additional services from the Home Office and there’s the cost of a lawyer as well. The cost is at least £33,000 before paying for your lawyer. That’s a lot of money to be forking out compared to your co-workers and fellow residents.’

The government will also equalise costs for students and those using a priority service, so people pay the same whether they apply from within the UK or from outside the UK.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maria Karaiskos KC, Church Court Chambers

Maria Karaiskos KC, recently appointed as the first female head of Church Court Chambers, discusses breaking down barriers, the lure of the courtroom, and the power of storytelling

Cripps—Simon Main

Cripps—Simon Main

Firm strengthens residential property team with partner hire

Hugh James—Danielle Cahill

Hugh James—Danielle Cahill

Private wealth disputes team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
Michael Zander KC, Emeritus Professor at LSE, tracks the turbulent passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords in this week's issue of NLJ. Two marathon debates drew contributions from nearly 200 peers, split between support, opposition and conditional approval
Alistair Mills of Landmark Chambers reflects on the Human Rights Act 1998 a quarter-century after it came into force, in this week's issue of NLJ
In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ, Stephen Gold surveys a raft of procedural changes and quirky disputes shaping civil practice. His message is clear: civil practitioners must brace for continual tweaks, unexpected contentions and rising costs in everyday litigation
Barbara Mills KC, chair of the Bar 2025 and joint head of chambers at 4PB, sets out in this week's NLJ how the profession will respond to Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct at the Bar
In a very special tribute in this week's NLJ, David Burrows reflects on the retirement of Patrick Allen, co-founder of Hodge Jones & Allen, whose career epitomised the heyday of legal aid
back-to-top-scroll