The British government has increased student visa fees today. UK Government announced a steep hike of 54 pounds in the student visa fee. The new visa fees will be effective from April 6 this year. On the same The Border Agency has introduced ´dependent relative´ visa category for the first time.

The newly introduced ´dependent relative´ visa will cost £1680. This new visa category will allows grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and siblings who are over the age of 18 years to join family members settled in the UK for the purpose of settlement.

In a press release UK Border Agency said, “Visa fees are reviewed regularly and agreed by parliament. In setting the fees, the UK government aims to strike the correct balance between maintaining secure and effective borders and improving the visa service to customers and ensuring that the fee structure supports the UK´s ability to attract those migrants and visitors that make a valued contribution.”

On the statement the UK Border Agency also declared the new increased UK visa fees for different category. For Tier 1 category new fees is £690 which was £675 previously.

New Visa fees for Tier 2 (skilled workers) category has been increased by £5 in the existing £265. For five-year multiple entry visa fees has been increased to £420 from £400, and the 10 year visa fee has been fixed at £610 -- £110 increase from existing £500. Settlement visa fee has been increased from £644 from £585.