Asked by: Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the cost of intra-company transfer business visas for staff and their families applying to work in the UK for more than three years; what is the typical cost for an employee, their spouse and two children to apply for such visas; and what representations they have received about the impact of those costs.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Shadow Chief Whip (Lords)
It is the government’s policy that those who use and benefit most from the immigration system should contribute towards the cost of operating the system and reduce the burden on the UK taxpayer.
The fees charged by the Home Office are governed by the charging principles set out in the 2014 Act and can only be increased with the approval of Parliament following collective government agreement.
The Home Office keeps its fees for immigration and nationality under regular review. The cost (fee) for an employee to apply for an intra company transfer, as the main applicant, for a period of more than three years is as follows:
Overseas £1220
In country extension £1408
The same fee applies for each application made by a dependant.
We are actively engaging with business about the future Borders and Immigration System and the cost of visas (and the impact this has) is part of this engagement.