The United Kingdom’s Home Office has unveiled an increase in visa fees for Nigerian applicants, impacting both student and tourist visas. This announcement, subject to parliamentary approval, is set to be enforced starting from October 4, 2023.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to a statement released on Friday, the Home Office detailed that the cost of a visit visa for stays under six months will climb by £15 to reach £115. Simultaneously, the application fee for a student visa from outside the UK will surge by £127, pushing it to £490—equivalent to the amount charged for in-country applications.
The Home Office cited legislative changes approved by Parliament as the rationale behind these fee hikes. It stressed that these increases are designed to facilitate the government in covering essential services and channeling additional funding towards the public sector.
Emphasizing the pivotal role that fee income plays in sustaining the immigration and nationality system, the statement underscored that these adjustments arrive less than six months after the UK introduced previous increments to visa application costs and health surcharges.
The Home Office maintained its commitment to setting fees thoughtfully, aiming to minimize the contribution from British taxpayers while providing an attractive service for individuals seeking to work in the UK, thereby supporting broader prosperity.
It’s noteworthy that these changes do not encompass the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), slated for introduction later in the Autumn.
As of October 4, 2023, the increased immigration and nationality fees will take effect, impacting Nigerian applicants aspiring to visit or study in the United Kingdom.
