Chapter 7 - Entry clearance application fees

7.1	Authority to levy fees and accounting for them [Updated 7 July 2008]
7.2	Who pays and how much [Updated 7 July 2008]
7.3	Other chargeable fees [Updated 7 July 2008]
7.4	Gratis issues [Updated 7 July 2008]
7.5	Discretionary visas [Updated 7 July 2008]

Chapter 7 - Entry clearance application fees

7.1 - Authority to levy fees and accounting for them [Updated 7 July 2008]
From 1 April 2008, the Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide the authority for levying most entry clearance fees overseas.  Fees for entry clearance in respect of the Crown Dependencies, Overseas Territories, and other Commonwealth countries, and callout charges for taking biometrics on mobile kits remain in the Consular Fees Order, pending further rationalisation during 2008.

7.2 - Who pays and how much? [Updated 7 July 2008]

Current fees

Dependants are charged the same fee as that paid by the main applicant with whom their application is connected. All dependants who are travelling must pay the appropriate fee whether or not they are included in the main applicant’s passport.

Where more than one type of fee is charged (e.g. a businessman applies for a long-term visit visa and his family need only standard visit visas), the fees must be split and credited to the appropriate subheads in the Post account. Only one receipt need be issued to the applicant, but the accountant will require a copy for each subhead.

Fees are generally paid in local currency. Any proposal to accept optional payment in hard or other currency must be cleared with UK Border Agency, International Group Finance department.  The form of payment may be by cash, bank draft, postal or money order payable to the mission. Payment can also be made in the form of a banker’s draft obtained by the sponsor from a bank in the UK and made payable in the local currency to the appropriate mission. Payments may also be made on-line following the instructions provided.  No other form of payment is acceptable.

7.3 - Other chargeable fee  [Updated 7 July 2008]
There should be no charge for the referral by e-mail, telegram or facsimile of entry clearance applications for the UK.

A charge may be made to cover the cost of a courier, telegraphic or facsimile referral to a Commonwealth country or Overseas Territory. Such a country or territory may also request reimbursement of charges for a reply (ECG Volume 3 Chapter 1. 31 refers).

7.4 - Gratis visas [Updated 7 July 2008]
Entry clearances should be issued gratis to the following categories:

1. Officials of Her Majesty’s Government travelling to the UK in connection with their official duties.
2. Refugees and their pre-flight dependants recognised as such by the Home Office.
3. Where the Home Secretary has directed that the fee should be waived.
4. Persons having an entry clearance transferred from an expired passport to a new one.
5. Persons having the validity of an entry clearance extended for compassionate reasons (see OSI, Visas and Leave to Enter).
6. Holders of Diplomatic, Special, Service or Official passport for non-settlement only in certain countries where reciprocal agreements exist.
7. Visa holders affected by the 'Moratorium for long-term visas' prior to the introduction of biometrics.   Those whose visas were limited to 2 years in line with the moratorium may apply for a new visa the validity of which would be five or ten years from the original date of issue in line with their original application.

In many countries it is often the practice to issue Diplomatic, Special, Service or Official passports to anyone loosely connected with government or local authority service. Such passports do not in themselves entitle the holders to gratis entry clearance.

Gratis issues should be processed using the cash register and validated on the entry clearance application form.

Posts must keep records of gratis visas by number and category.

7.5 - Discretionary gratis [Updated 7 July 2008]
Entry clearance officers may only exercise their discretion to waive the visa fee in the following circumstances and with the express authority of the budget holder, usually the Head of Mission as it will normally be the FCO that meets the cost of these visas:

i) In respect of applications made by candidates or holders of an HMG funded scholarship when the purpose of travel is in connection with that scholarship.
ii) As a matter of international courtesy.  It is impossible to define every circumstance where this may be appropriate but it is anticipated that this definition will normally apply to individuals and not, for example, to sports teams, cultural groups, exchange visits and the like. Each case should be considered on its merits taking care not to create what local authorities might regard as an automatic precedent. If in doubt, you should contact ECO Support Team, UK Border Agency, Visa Services Directorate.

Posts which appear to be issuing an excessive number of discretionary gratis visas in this category may be required to justify their action.

Entry clearance staff are reminded that no fee is payable in respect of the issue of  exempt vignettes to individuals described in ECG 5.4, or applications made under the 2006 EEA Regulations (EEA family permits, ECG 21 refers).