Migrants in the UK treated as cash-cows: Visa fee rise kicks in
On 4th October, this Government brought in a massive increase in the fees that thousands of people have to pay to stay in the UK – with plans to raise other fees by a whopping 66% later in the year too. These fees are already eye-wateringly high – and many times what it actually costs the Government to process a visa application. We know from our own research that they are a key factor pushing migrant households into debt.
A family of four on a 10-year route to settlement already has to pay at least £9,662 every 30 months to renew their visas and to access the NHS. And that’s in addition to the taxes and national insurance they pay. It’s essentially an extra tax for being a migrant. If the Government’s planned increases come into effect, by next year that same family could be facing a bill of £14,087. That’s an increase of almost 50%. Hiking the prices while the cost of essentials like food and rent remains eye-wateringly high is a recipe for disaster.
With visa fees becoming even more expensive, it more important than ever that routes to permanent settlement are shortened. We have written a joint briefing with JCWI (The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants), Reunite Families, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Migrant Voice and RAMFEL (Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London), read it here.
“This Government is treating us like cash cows, but the truth is that we’re already living from hand to mouth. This visa fee hike is the last straw which will push so many of us into utter destitution – when the full set of new fees kicks in, we will be expected to pay almost £4,000 every two and a half years just to live in our homes. We are facing impossible decisions – whether to feed our children and pay our rent, or save for the next round of visa fees. What this measure will do is ensure that we can’t raise our head above the water for years. This is a racist move that will likely impact black and brown communities the most – people that are already struggling to stay afloat. Making us pay more than the administrative cost to renew our leave to remain is unfair. To kick us when we’re down during a cost of living crisis is outright inhumane. This Government should reverse their decision and charge us administrative costs for renewing our visas, instead of seeing us as an endless source of profit.”
Anna Berry*, a person with experience of the migration system and a campaigner with Praxis NRPF Action group,*name has been changed for safeguarding purposes
Most MPs don’t know anything about how the extortionate costs of visa fees hurt migrant households. Email your MP and tell them why it’s so important they act now.
Read more on the impact this hostile policy will have on people living and working in our community: