Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the impact on armed forces families of the £2,404 fee per family member to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain in the context of the rise in the cost of living.

Fees charged for Indefinite Leave to Remain and other immigration products are kept under review. Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable migration and borders system and 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, reducing reliance on the UK taxpayer.

The fees and policies which apply to the dependants of HM Forces are closely aligned with those apply to dependents of British citizens and settled persons under the standard family rules. Further support for armed forces families in planning for the cost of visa fees is provided by the Joining Forces Credit Union service.

Some dependants of serving HM Forces may also acquire or be eligible for British citizenship which would negate the need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or any other visas.

From 6 April this year, settlement fees for eligible non-UK serving personnel have been waived. This fee waiver will reduce the overall cost to some family units who choose to settle in the UK.