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UK Government's Visa Fee Hike Sparks Concern
The UK government increased student visa fees and visit visa prices recently, prompting mixed reactions from Indian professionals and students.
Representative image / Unsplash
Effective October 4, the government raised the visa fee for several categories. Notably, the fee for those applying from outside the UK surged from $134 to $518, matching the amount charged to in-country applicants. This change led to a rise in the cost for a visit visa for stays of less than six months, along with an increase in the fee for student visa applications.
The changes in fees aimed to reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, resulting in price hikes for various visa categories. For instance, the fee for a visit visa for stays of less than six months increased from $16 to $122. Similar adjustments were also made for 2, 5, and 10-year visit visas. New India Abroad interviewed a recent working professional in the UK and three incoming graduates studying at prestigious colleges.
Kishlay Kunj, a working professional in the UK, told New India Abroad, that his visa application costed him $763. Sharing his thoughts on the fee hike, Kunj emphasized the significant financial burden on regular individuals. He suggested a system where a lower initial amount is charged for the application process, with the remaining fee payable upon visa approval, to alleviate the financial strain on applicants.
Indulekha K M, an MSc International Affairs student at the London School of Economics, described her recent visa application process as smooth, albeit lengthy due to bureaucratic procedures. She appreciated the convenience of the online portal, but she pointed out that the overall cost was significantly affected by health surcharges and additional forms.
Archa Joe, an incoming student at the University of Nottingham, in an interview with NIA acknowledged the challenges posed by the increased fees but remained positive about the potential opportunities that a master's degree could offer. Similarly, Lalith Krishna, a student at the University of Liverpool pursuing a Masters in Sports Management, mentioned the financial strain resulting from the fee hikes. However, he remained optimistic, emphasizing the potential to recoup the costs through part-time work.
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Comments
Ashok Bhatnagar
2023-10-18 00:00:00
Students should be relieved from any kind of Visa fees by the UK government. They should rather charge institutions who charge so much institutional fees from students.