Thaindian News

London, Jan 21 (IANS) Immigrants who want to bring over their elderly dependent relatives to Britain face a massive hike in visa fees, the British government announced.
Britain’s Home Ministry said the visa fees for bringing elderly dependents, including parents and grandparents, to live in Britain will be trebled from 585 pounds to 1,680 pounds if the application is made abroad.

For applications made in Britain to bring over elderly dependent parents, the fees will be 1,930 pounds, and a separate 10 percent charge for every child.

Family members who visit and then stay on because they cannot support themselves will see visa fees more than double, also to 1,680 pounds, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas told parliament Wednesday.

They will be exempt from having to sit an English-language test that is compulsory for anyone wishing to settle down in Britain.

The move reflects fears over the cost on social and health services of foreign nationals’ parents and grandparents who cannot look after themselves.

The British government estimates that some 5,000 people apply for such visas every year.

At the other end of the scale, the government will try out a new fast-track scheme for skilled migrants who do not want to visit the immigration office to renew their visas.

For 15,000 pounds an immigration officer will come to their home, process their visa and collect the biometric data required for a foreign national ID card.

The government says this scheme will appeal primarily to foreign football stars playing in Britain and wealthy businessmen.

Woolas said revenue from increased fees would be used to fund the immigration system.

“I believe that it is fair that those who benefit from using our immigration system should help fund it,” he said.