"Some fees will remain the same (for example, for issuing student visas), some will increase in line with inflation, and some new fees will be introduced, for example, for companies that invite employees to work in the United Kingdom," the statement says.
According to RIA Novosti, the visa fee hike must still be approved by parliament, but the Home Office has already published an indicative table of new tariffs. A regular multiple-entry tourist visa to England for 6 months will cost £65 instead of the current £63, the transit fee will increase from £44 to £45, and the long-term visitor visa and visa with work authorization will rise from £200 to £205.
Fees for student visas and for extending existing long-term visas and residence permits for those already in the United Kingdom will remain unchanged. At the same time, foreigners living and working in the UK on a long-term basis will have to obtain a special biometric identity card costing £30.
Fees for visas under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) will increase significantly, up to double. Also, a special fee is being introduced for companies that invite people from abroad for work. It will be £300 for small and charitable companies, while medium and large companies will have to pay £1,000 for processing a work permit for a foreigner.