UK increases visa fees

The cost of student visas is set to rise for most international students, the Government announced this week.

From April 1, student visa fees will rise from £85 to £99, and the price of securing student leave to remain (postal) will increase from Pounds 250 to £295. However, the "handling" cost will be incorporated into the total fee to try to lessen the impact of the rises.Students from some countries - including China, Jordan and Russia - should find that their overall costs fall.

Bill Rammell, the Higher Education Minister, said visa fees were being increased so that more money could be spent on enforcement. "Some 60 per cent of students will, over two years, see roughly an inflation increase, and students from some countries, such as China, will actually see a decrease," he said.