New Visa fees from 6 April 2013

Today, Immigration Minister Mark Harper laid a written ministerial statement proposing fee increases for visa applications made overseas, and applications made in the UK.

The proposals laid in Parliament today and on 14 March, subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6 April 2013.

Immigration Minister, Mark Harper said:

'These increases are mostly in line with inflation and will ensure that the UK continues to welcome the brightest and the best. It is only right that those who use and benefit from the immigration system should contribute more than the UK taxpayer.'

The proposed fee increases takes place against a difficult financial context for the UK Border Agency and the government as a whole. We believe our proposals to increase fees strike the right balance between ensuring the UK Border Agency continues to provide a world class service and maintaining a fees structure that does not inhibit the UK's ability to continue to attract those businesses, migrants and visitors who most benefit the UK.

These adjustments will also allow us to improve our levels of customer service and deliver a high quality immigration service at a challenging time for public finances across the UK.

Uk Student Visas 2013

Figures released by UCAS show a 9.9 per cent increase in number of students applying to UK universities from China and a 19.3 per cent on those from India.

The figures show that while our reforms of the student visa route have tackled abuse, they have not put students off of coming to study at UK universities.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said:

'The increase in non-EEA student applications is further proof that the UK remains open to the brightest and the best and international students.

'In particular, numbers from India and China have seen big increases. This shows that despite stories to the contrary, students continue to want to come to the UK to study at our world class universities.

'We have tackled abuse of the student route head on - without affecting genuine students. By protecting the reputation of the British education system will we be able to compete in a global race.'

Super Priority Visa Service in India

The Prime Minister has announced details of a super priority visa service which will allow frequent travellers from India to have their visas processed in just one day.

The new scheme begins in March and will be available at application centres in Delhi and Mumbai. It has been set up following feedback from prominent Indian businesses and will run alongside the current priority and standard visa services.

It is easier than ever before for Indian nationals to apply for a visa, with UKBA operating 12 visa application centres across India, more application centres than any other country.

This service does not replace the process for expediting visas on compassionate grounds.

Visas for Chinese nationals - the facts

Visas for Chinese nationals - the facts30 January 2013The United Kingdom is open for business and tourism and China is one of the UK's priority markets.We have seen continual growth in visitor numbers from China, with the vast majority of those who apply not only getting a visa, but speaking highly of the service they receive when they do.From 2010 to 2011 the UK saw 28 per cent growth in visit visas issued compared to France, which saw 19 per cent growth for the same period (Home Office statistics).In 2011 we processed more than 283,000 visas from Chinese nationals worldwide (Home Office statistics).These statistics show that visitors from China want to come to Britain and that the door is open for those legitimate visitors who wish to do so.Key facts94 per cent of Chinese visitors who apply for a visa get one (Home Office statistics).96 per cent of applicants surveyed who have applied for a visa said that they were satisfied with the service they received (UK Border Agency customer satisfaction surveys Asia Pacific October - December 2012).97 per cent of non-settlement visas from Chinese nationals are processed within 15 days (and 54 per cent within 5 days) (see China's processing times).99 per cent of business visit visas are decided within 15 days (75 per cent within 5 days) (see China's processing times).We are committed to providing an ever improving service, listening and acting on feedback from our customers.We have shortened application forms for tourists, simplified documents required to make an application, and started accepting photocopies of key documents. For businesses we have set up a dedicated network of staff to support them with the visa application process.Key factsThe average length of a visa application form is 6 pages (including the disclaimer).The average UK visa costs £81, which is multiple entry for 6 months to 5 years. The Schengen visa is only single entry and lasts for 3 months.A visa to travel to China costs a UK citizen around £126.Our website has information and guidance translated into Chinese and applicants have access to a Chinese language phone and email service.Online application forms will also be translated in Chinese from later this year.We have around twice as many visa application centres in China than Schengen (European) countries.Our application system allows applicants to fill in forms and book appointments online.For businesses we have set up a dedicated network of staff to support them with the visa application process.From spring this year we will offer a service to some businesses where we will go to them to capture fingerprints of their employees travelling to the UK, to help speed up the system even further.