UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to raise visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of efforts to fund the public sector wage increase without borrowing or increasing taxes. The fee hike aims to address wage raises for sectors like teachers, police, and junior doctors. Sunak emphasized that this measure was necessary to avoid inflationary pressures. The visa fee increase is expected to generate over GBP 1 billion in revenue, but specific details regarding the extent of the fee hike were not provided.
UK Visa Applicants, Including Indians, to Face Significant Fee Increases
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has unveiled a proposal to substantially raise visa fees and the health surcharge paid by visa applicants, including individuals from India. The fee hike is intended to fund the public sector wage increase, primarily benefiting sectors such as teachers, police officers, and junior doctors. Sunak emphasized that the government aims to avoid borrowing or raising taxes due to concerns about inflation. While exact details of the fee increase were not disclosed, it is evident that visa applicants will encounter higher costs. The measure is projected to generate more than GBP 1 billion in revenue.
UK Government Plans Visa Fee and Health Surcharge Hike to Support Public Sector Wages
In a bid to fund the public sector wage increase without resorting to borrowing or tax hikes, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a proposal to increase visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The fee hike will provide additional funding for sectors such as teachers, police personnel, and junior doctors. Sunak emphasized the need to avoid exacerbating inflation and stated that visa application fees would be raised across the board, resulting in a substantial increase. The precise extent of the fee hike was not disclosed, but it is evident that visa applicants, including migrants from India, will face higher costs. The government estimates that the measure will generate over GBP 1 billion in revenue.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Raise Visa Fees and Health Surcharge to Fund Public Sector Wage Increase
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom has revealed plans to increase visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge as a means of supporting the public sector wage increase. In order to avoid borrowing or raising taxes, the government will prioritize reprioritizing spending and implementing fee hikes. The visa fee increase, which is expected to generate more than GBP 1 billion in revenue, will impact visa applicants, including those from India. Although specific details regarding the extent of the fee increase were not provided, applicants will face higher costs when applying for visas.
