South Africans travelling to the United Kingdom will have to pay significantly more for visas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In July, the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said that public sector wages would increase by between 5% and 7% across the board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Sunak said that he would not raise taxes as citizens were already struggling financially or allow the government to borrow more money over fears of inflation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To pay for the increase, he said that the government would increase the cost of UK visas for foreign visitors and the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which is the levy that they pay to access the country\u2019s National Health Service (NHS). He said that this would raise over \u00a31 billion<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government has now announced the increases for UK visas, which will become effective from 4 October 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost of a standard 6-month UK visa has increased by 15% from \u00a3100 (R2,299) to \u00a3115 (R2,644). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest jump in price is the partner\/spouse visa, which has increased by over 20% from \u00a31,538 (R35,361) to \u00a31 846 (R42,442). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the health and care visa for stays less than or more than three years has remained unchanged, which is also the case for student visas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immigration consultants Breytenbachs noted that those wishing to get a UK visa should do so promptly and with care – as applicants will lose all their money if the application is unsuccessful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UK Visa price changes can be found below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n IHS case <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to John Dunn from Sable International, the IHS is also set to climb substantially. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “The current fee is \u00a3624 per year, and it is set to rise to \u00a31,035 (R23 784). So, for example, if you\u2019re applying for an Ancestry visa which is valid for five years, you\u2019ll have to pay \u00a35,175 (R118 924) upfront as part of your application,” Dunn said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although students and Youth Mobility Scheme receive a discounted rate, it is still set to increase from \u00a3470 (R10 800) to \u00a3776 (R17 832) per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVisa<\/strong><\/td> Current Price <\/strong><\/td> October 2023 Price <\/strong><\/td> Change <\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Ancestry visa<\/td> \u00a3531 (R12 208) <\/td> \u00a3637 (R14 645)<\/td> 19.96%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Partner\/spouse visa<\/td> \u00a31 538 (R35 361)<\/td> \u00a31 846 (R42 442)<\/td> 20.03%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Innovator Founder visa<\/td> \u00a31 036 (R23 819)<\/td> \u00a31 191 (R27 383)<\/td> 14.96%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Specialist Worker visa (>3 years)<\/td> \u00a31 235 (R28 394)<\/td> \u00a31 420 (R32 648)<\/td> 14.97% <\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Specialist Worker visa (<3 years)<\/td> \u00a3625 (R14 369)<\/td> \u00a3719 (R16 530)<\/td> 15.04%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Skilled Worker visa (<3 years)<\/td> \u00a3479 (R11 012)<\/td> \u00a3551 (R12 668)<\/td> 15.03%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Skilled Worker visa (>3 years)<\/td> \u00a3943 (R21 681)<\/td> \u00a31,084 (R24 922)<\/td> 14.95%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Health and Care visa (<3 years)<\/td> \u00a3247 (R5 678)<\/td> \u00a3247(R5 678)<\/td> –<\/td><\/tr> Health and Care visa (>3 years)<\/td> \u00a3479 (R11 012)<\/td> \u00a3479 (R11 012)<\/td> –<\/td><\/tr> Student visa<\/td> \u00a3490 (R11 265)<\/td> \u00a3490 (R11 265)<\/td> –<\/td><\/tr> Youth Mobility Scheme visa<\/td> \u00a3259 (R5 954)<\/td> \u00a3298 (R6 851)<\/td> 15.06%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Visitor visa (6 months)<\/td> \u00a3100 (R2 299)<\/td> \u00a3115 (R2 644)<\/td> 15%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr> Visitor visa (2 years)<\/td> \u00a3376 (R8 644)<\/td> \u00a3400 (R9 196)<\/td> 6.38%<\/mark><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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