The United Kingdom’s government has announced an increase in the cost of student and tourist visas.
The UK’s Home Office said in a statement on Friday that “the changes mean that the cost of a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 to £115, while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 to £490, to equal the amount charged for in-country applications.”
According to the Home Office, the rises are the result of legislation passed by Parliament on Friday.
It stated that the fee increase will help the government to pay for essential services and prioritize greater money for the public sector.
According to the statement, income from fees collected is critical to the Home Office’s ability to administer a sustainable immigration and nationality system.
The revisions come less than six months after the United Kingdom announced increases in visa application fees and health levies.
The Home Office also stated that when determining fees, care is taken to minimise the funding contribution from British taxpayers while continuing to provide a service that is appealing to people desiring to work in the UK and supports broader prosperity for all.
“Today’s changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which are scheduled to be introduced later in the Autumn,” the statement added.
The immigration and nationality fees increases which are subject to parliamentary approval will take effect from October 4.