19 September 2023
Ahead of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) coming into effect next month, the UK government is planning to increase its immigration and nationality fees.
Beginning the 4th of October, the cost of a visa with a validity of up to six months will increase by £15 pound to £115 pounds. Student Visas from areas outside the UK are set to increase to £490. These changes were announced in Parliament on Friday (15 September.)
UK Ministers have highlighted how the increasing visa costs for tourists and workers will allow for more funding to be dedicated to ‘public sector pay rises.”
Short stay visas will cost £10.
The ETA will be first introduced for Qatari nationals in late October, and then will be expanded to areas such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In regards to these changes, the UK government stated “careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.”
