UK Raises Visa Fees and Health Surcharge for Nigerians and Other Nationals
Following a speech regarding an augmentation in public sector wages, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared an elevation in the visa application fee for immigrants.
According to British media reports, Sunak has confirmed that a portion of the funding for the wage increase will be sourced from foreign migrants who choose to reside and work in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, he expressed that the surcharge paid by visa applicants, particularly immigrants, for utilizing the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) would see a "significant" increase.
The Prime Minister had previously announced his intentions to raise fees for processing non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications during a visit to the United States embassy a few weeks prior.
As per a statement on the US embassy's website, the new fees for different visa categories will come into effect from June 17, 2023.
Sunak clarified that this adjustment is "fully justified" since these fees have not been raised in recent times.
In regards to prioritizing higher wages for public sector workers, he stated, "If we intend to allocate more funds to pay these workers, we need to source the necessary finances from elsewhere. I am unwilling to increase taxes on individuals, as I believe it would be neither responsible nor fair. Moreover, resorting to additional borrowing would exacerbate the issue of inflation."
"To address this financial need, we have taken two measures. Firstly, we will be raising the charges imposed on migrants applying for visas in our country, including the immigration health surcharge (IHS) they pay to access the NHS.
"As a result, all visa application fees will experience a substantial increase, along with corresponding adjustments to the IHS. These changes are projected to generate over £1 billion in revenue."
Sunak asserted that this action would not impact inflation since there would be no additional borrowing or expenditure to finance these increments.
The government considers it fitting to implement these adjustments, taking into account that costs have escalated since the previous increase.
In a tweet, Sunak stated, "I have recently unveiled a equitable resolution to bring an end to the strikes – and all teaching unions have already expressed their support. It is a fair agreement for the workers and for the British taxpayers. This breakthrough is significant for parents and families throughout the nation."
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