• ECB6.1 On what basis are fees charged?
• ECB6.2 What are the visa fees?
• ECB6.3 In what currency are the fees paid?
• ECB6.4 What is the fee for dependants?
• ECB6.5 Are there any other charges?
• ECB6.6 When to issue an entry clearance free of charge (gratis)
• ECB6.7 Discretionary gratis visas

See other guidance information ECB01 - Immigration legislation and powers ECB02 - Human rights and Race Discrimination considerations ECB03 - What is entry clearance? ECB04 - Who needs an entry clearance? ECB05 - Where to apply - the policy ECB07 - Returnability ECB08 - What are acceptable travel documents for entry clearance? ECB09 - Types and validity of entry clearance ECB10 - Making a decision on an application ECB11 - Significance of information from a sponsor ECB12 - Undertakings ECB13 - Visa endorsements and conditions ECB14 - ID cards and leave to remain ECB15 - Arriving in/Departing from the UK ECB16 - Police registration ECB17 - Transferring or replacing visas in new passports and unused visas ECB18 ECO revocation of an entry clearance ECB19 - Correcting an incorrect endorsement ECB20 - Unresolved applications ECB21 Risk and Liaison Overseas Network  

ECB6.1 On what basis are fees charged?

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.

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ECB6.2 What are the visa fees?

Full list of visa fees is available on the visa fees page on this website.

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ECB6.3 In what currency are the fees paid?

• Fees are generally paid in local currency.
• Any request to pay 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 with a banker’s draft obtained by the sponsor from a bank in the UK, made payable in the local currency to the mission. 
• Payments may also be made on-line following the instructions provided.
• No other form of payment is acceptable.

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ECB6.4 What is the fee for dependants?

• If making the same application type as the main applicant, the dependants are charged the same fee as that paid by the main applicant.
• Each dependant pays the same fee as the main applicant, even if 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.

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ECB6.5 Are there any other charges?

For the UK:
•    No charge for the referral by e-mail, egram or fax of entry clearance applications to the UK.
For Commonwealth / Overseas Territories:
•    A charge may be made to cover the cost of a referral. Reimbursement of charges for a reply may also be requested by the Commonwealth country or Overseas Territory. (ECG Volume 3 Chapter 1.31).

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ECB6.6 When to issue an entry clearance free of charge (gratis)

Destitution not considered valid grounds for waiving visa fees.

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

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

Entry clearance 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. This will apply only where the Secretary of State or Minister for Immigration has specifically authorised the waiver of visa fees for a particular group of applicants.  Examples could include the evacuation of families of British citizens from war zones, areas of famine and natural / humanitarian disasters.
4.    Persons having the validity of an entry clearance extended for compassionate reasons (OSI u/c: visas and leave to enter).
5.    Holders of Diplomatic, Special, Service or Official passport for non-settlement only in certain countries where reciprocal arrangements exist.

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.

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ECB6.7 Discretionary gratis visas

Entry Clearance Officers may only exercise their discretion to waive the 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.  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, the ECO 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 exempt vignettes to individuals described in ECG Exempt (EXM5.4), or applications made under the 2006 EEA Regulations (EEA family permits ECG European Nationals & Schemes EUN (21)).

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