On Tuesday 31 October 2023 Migrant Voice coordinated a national day of action with other migrant and refugee organisations across the UK to demand a reduction in extortionate visa costs, and to raise public awareness about the impact they have on people’s lives.

At WFMA we supported this campaign, and will continue to raise awareness about the issue, because we understand the impact it has on migrants and refugees in Waltham Forest and across the UK.

As visitors to our Support Centre know very well, visa fees are already incredibly expensive. Increasing them further – and during a cost of living crisis – is unconscionable and will push many into poverty and prevent others from renewing / extending their visas at all. The changes should be reversed.

Indeed, the costs of staying in the UK have risen enormously over the past two decades. It’s hard to believe, but applications to settle in the UK indefinitely used to be free – as of the latest round of increases, they cost £2,885. Until 2003, applications for visa extensions, work permits and settlement were all free. Since then, costs have shot up, with the government introducing increases that are often above inflation.

On 4 October 2023, purportedly on the basis that public sector pay rises needed funding, the government increased the cost of most UK visa fees, in some cases by as much as 35%. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – which most applicants for visas and extensions must pay in order to use the NHS – is also set to rise in the new year by a whopping 66% to £1,035 (up from £624) a year.

For a full list of the increases, and further arguments about the harms caused to both migrants and businesses, take a look at JCWI’s helpful briefing.

Sign the petition to force a debate in Parliament here.