The cost of a visit visa to the United Kingdom (UK) for less than six months has increased, according to the UK Home Office, from £15 (14,592.70) to £115 (about N111,878.28).
This equates to an increase of around 667%.
Additionally, the cost of a student visa has jumped by 286 percent, from £127 (N123,537.58) to £490 (N476,677.59).
The government added that the review will go into effect on October 4 and that the hike would allow it to pay for “vital services” and prioritise additional cash for pay raises for public employees.
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The UK government made this known in a statement, ‘New visa fees set to come into effect next month’ published on its website, gov.uk, on Friday, following legislation being laid in parliament on Friday.
“The changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 (N14,592.70) to £115 (N111,878.28 ), while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 (N123,537.58) to £490 (N476,677.59), to equal the amount charged for in-country applications,” the statement partly read.
In July, the government announced a 15 per cent increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, and an increase of at least 20 per cent in the cost of priority visas, study visas and certificates of sponsorship.
The statement added, “Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. 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.”
