Securing a 10 – year UK visa can offer long – term flexibility for various purposes, be it extended travel, business engagements, or family – related stays. However, understanding the financial implications of such a visa is crucial. The cost of a 10 – year UK visa is not a one – size – fits – all figure. It varies significantly based on the type of visa you’re applying for, your application location, and any additional services you might opt for. This article will comprehensively break down the costs associated with different 10 – year UK visas, helping you plan your finances effectively for the application process.
Costs for 10 – Year Visitor Visas
Standard Visitor Visa (Long – Term)
Visa Application Fee
A 10 – year standard visitor visa, which enables you to visit the UK for tourism, business meetings, or to visit family and friends over an extended period, comes with a set application fee. As of [current date], the fee for a 10 – year standard visitor visa is £822. This fee is payable directly to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as an integral part of the application process. It’s important to note that regardless of the outcome of your visa application, this fee is non – refundable.
Whether your visa is approved, refused, or withdrawn, the £822 will not be returned.
Additional Fees for Priority Services
If time is of the essence and you want to expedite your visa application, UKVI provides priority services. The priority service, designed to speed up the visa decision – making process, incurs an extra cost. For a 10 – year visitor visa, the priority service fee is an additional £520. So, if you choose this option, the total amount you’ll pay is £822 + £520 = £1342. For an even more rapid service, the super – priority service is available. It costs an extra £1200 on top of the visa application fee. Thus, with super – priority service, the total cost for a 10 – year visitor visa would be £822+£1200 = £2022. However, it’s essential to check the availability of super – priority services at your local visa application center, as not all centers offer this option.
Biometric Information Fee
In most cases, when applying for a UK visa, you’re required to provide biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a facial scan. For a 10 – year visitor visa, this fee is typically incorporated into the overall visa application fee. So, you generally don’t need to pay an additional amount specifically for biometric data collection. Nevertheless, in rare instances where there are issues with the initial data collection, and you need to re – submit your biometrics, there may be a small additional charge, usually around £19.20.
Costs for 10 – Year Work Visas
Tier 2 (General) Work Visa (if applicable for 10 – year duration)
Sponsorship Licence Application Fee (for employers)
If you’re applying for a Tier 2 (General) work visa, your UK – based employer must first obtain a sponsorship licence. The application fee for this licence depends on the size of the employer. For small and medium – sized enterprises (SMEs) and registered charities, the fee is £536. Larger companies, on the other hand, need to pay £1476. It’s important to note that this cost is borne by the employer and not directly by the applicant. However, it’s a crucial part of the overall process because without a valid sponsorship licence, the employer cannot sponsor your work visa.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Allocation (no direct fee for applicant)
Once the employer has a valid sponsorship licence, they will allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to you. There is no specific fee for the CoS allocation that the applicant has to pay. However, the employer may factor in other costs related to the sponsorship process, such as administrative costs for maintaining the sponsorship licence and ensuring compliance with UKVI regulations.
Visa Application Fee for the Applicant
The visa application fee for a Tier 2 (General) work visa, if it’s a 10 – year visa, is £1033. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. Additionally, there is an Immigration Skills Charge. For a 10 – year visa, if the employer is an SME or a registered charity, the Immigration Skills Charge is £364 per year of the visa. So, for a 10 – year visa, the employer would pay £364 x 10 = £3640. For larger companies, the Immigration Skills Charge is £1000 per year of the visa, amounting to £1000 x 10 = £10000 for a 10 – year visa. Although the Immigration Skills Charge is paid by the employer, it’s an important aspect of the overall cost structure for a Tier 2 work visa application.
Health Surcharge
All applicants for Tier 2 work visas are required to pay a health surcharge. The health surcharge for a 10 – year Tier 2 work visa is £624 per year. So, for a 10 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 10 = £6240. This surcharge allows the visa holder to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as a UK resident.
Legal and Advisory Fees (Optional)
Many applicants choose to seek the assistance of immigration lawyers or advisors when applying for a Tier 2 work visa. The cost of immigration advice can vary widely. A simple consultation with an immigration advisor may cost around £100 – £200 per hour. For a full – service application, where the advisor helps with document preparation, form filling, and representing you in case of any issues, the fees can range from £1000 to several thousand pounds. This is an optional cost, but it can be extremely beneficial, especially if your application has complex elements.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa (if applicable for 10 – year duration)
Sponsorship Licence and CoS Allocation (similar to Tier 2 in terms of employer costs)
Similar to the Tier 2 visa, employers sponsoring Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visas need a sponsorship licence. The sponsorship licence application fee is the same as for Tier 2: £536 for SMEs and registered charities, and £1476 for larger companies. There is no specific fee for CoS allocation that the applicant has to pay.
Visa Application Fee for the Worker
The visa application fee for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, if it’s a 10 – year visa, is £335. This is a relatively lower application fee compared to some other work visas. However, if the applicant is applying from outside the UK, the fee may be different. For example, if applying from outside the UK, the fee for a Tier 5 visa is £244. But if you’re applying for a 10 – year visa from within the UK, it’s £335.
Health Surcharge (if applicable)
Depending on the nature of the Tier 5 work and the length of stay, the applicant may need to pay a health surcharge. If the Tier 5 visa is for a period that requires access to the NHS, the health surcharge would be applicable. Similar to the Tier 2 visa, the health surcharge is £624 per year. So, for a 10 – year Tier 5 visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 10 = £6240 if eligible for NHS access.
Job – Specific Training or Certification Costs
For some Tier 5 work visas, especially those in specialized fields, you may need to obtain certain job – specific training or certifications. These costs can vary greatly. For example, if you’re applying for a Tier 5 visa in a technical field and need to obtain a specific industry – recognized certification, the cost of the training and the exam could range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the complexity of the certification.
Costs for 10 – Year Family Visas
Spouse or Partner Visa (if applicable for 10 – year duration)
Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee for a spouse or partner visa, if it’s a 10 – year visa, is £1523. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application, including the assessment of the genuineness of your relationship and your eligibility to join your partner in the UK.
Health Surcharge
Similar to work visas, spouse or partner visa applicants need to pay a health surcharge. The health surcharge for a 10 – year spouse or partner visa is £624 per year. So, for a 10 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 10 = £6240. This allows the visa holder to access the NHS during their stay in the UK.
Costs of Proving Relationship and Financial Stability
To apply for a spouse or partner visa, you need to prove the genuineness of your relationship and your financial stability. This may involve costs such as obtaining official translations of documents (if they are in a language other than English), getting notarized copies of important documents like marriage certificates, and providing evidence of joint financial accounts or your income. The cost of document translation can vary, but on average, a page of translation may cost around £20 – £50. Notarization fees can also add up, with each document typically costing a few pounds to be notarized.
Immigration Advice and Legal Fees (Optional)
Given the complexity of spouse or partner visa applications, especially when it comes to proving the genuineness of the relationship, many applicants choose to seek legal advice. Immigration lawyers or advisors can help with document preparation, form filling, and representing you in case of any issues. The cost of such services can range from £1000 to several thousand pounds, depending on the complexity of your case and the level of service provided.
Parent of a British Child Visa (if applicable for 10 – year duration)
Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee for a parent of a British child visa, if it’s a 10 – year visa, is also £1523. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. The application process involves demonstrating your relationship with the British child, your ability to take care of the child in the UK, and your financial means to support yourself and the child.
Health Surcharge
Just like other long – term visas, the health surcharge for a 10 – year parent of a British child visa is £624 per year. So, for a 10 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 10 = £6240. This ensures that the visa holder can access the NHS services during their stay in the UK.
Costs of Proving Custody and Financial Support
To be eligible for a parent of a British child visa, you need to prove your custody rights (if applicable) and your financial ability to support yourself and the child. This may involve obtaining court – issued custody orders (if there are any custody disputes), providing financial statements, and other relevant documents. The cost of obtaining legal documents related to custody, such as court – ordered documents, can vary depending on the complexity of the legal process. In some cases, you may need to hire a lawyer to assist with the custody – related documentation, which can add to the overall cost.
Conclusion
The cost of a 10 – year UK visa is highly dependent on the type of visa you’re applying for. Visitor visas, work visas, and family visas each have their own distinct fee structures. It’s not only important to budget for the base visa application fee but also for additional costs such as the health surcharge, priority service fees (if you choose to use them), and any legal or advisory fees if you decide to seek professional help. Moreover, for study and work – related visas, there may be associated course – related or job – specific costs. By having a clear understanding of these costs in advance, you can plan your UK visa application more efficiently and avoid any unexpected financial burdens during the process.
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