UK Immigration and nationality fee increases for 2010-2011

The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, Phil Woolas, has put forward regulations in Parliament for the fees for immigration and nationality services. The fees for many services are higher than the normal administrative cost for the services.

In most cases the fees have not changed that much. The increase has been kept at less than ten percent. In some cases GBP50 per person is allocated to the Migration Impacts Fund to help communities affected by immigration.

It is interesting to note that for some dependent relative applications the fee has doubled or tripled in price. The Government feels that higher fees are justified to pay for the higher social and health care costs to look after elderly relatives. An application for entry on a settlement visa for a dependent relative will go up from GBP585 to GBP1680. An application for a dependent relative visa made from inside the UK will go up from GBP820 to GBP1680.

The immigration minister, Phil Woolas had the following comments to make about the increase in immigration and nationality fees, likely to be introduced in April 2010: "… it was only fair that those who benefited from using the immigration system should help fund it…" However, a number of people feel that the fees for dependent relatives are quite excessive.

There will also be a £15,000 "premium service" available for the very rich; For this price the UK Border Agency will visit skilled migrants at their offices or homes to deal with the processing of their application and to take biometric photographs and fingerprints. In this situation a decision will be made immediately. The UKBA estimates that the cost for providing the "mobile biometric enrolment and case-working" service is £1 982. On a trial basis fifty appointments will be made available in the first 12 months from this April. One group of people who may wish to take advantage of this scheme are wealthy professional footballers in the UK.

In February 2010 the Government will publish proposals on fees that will be set at below cost. The Government considers the following when setting fees:

• The the cost of processing applications.

• The importance of attracting certain groups of migrants to the UK.

• The value of a successful application to the migrant.

Tips for Students Living Abroad

A study abroad experience is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students that give them exposure to new academic and personal attributes. In a foreign study trip, students must be alert and prepared to live the time period of study peacefully in the new environment in the overseas country. Here are some tips and advice to help them out:

• Students should be smart enough to identify and understand the suspicious acts happening around them in the new country. They should try to keep away from such unwanted situations and conduct themselves in their best manners while in the streets or at the public places.
• Making friends in the new country is unavoidable but students are advised to develop 'friend-circle' at a slow pace so that they can avoid intimacy with 'wrong' kind of strangers.
• Preserve your passport and other important documents. It is always advisable to have a set of photocopies of all the important documents and passports to face any of the emergency situations during your stay in the foreign country.
• Avoid carrying large amount of cash, wherever you go. Keep your eyes and ears open to sense what is happening around you.
• Be well groomed and spend your time in the country abroad peacefully.

Study abroad students can find more handy tips on different issues to make their foreign study journey, a peaceful and problem-free one in this section.

Prepration for Students Going Abroad

Studying in another country, away from homeland, is an enriching experience for the aspirants. The experience can both be academically and personally rewarding. Yet, it is always good to collect all the relevant information about the country before making your decisions. Here are some things that all 'study abroad' hopefuls should know about:

• If you are going abroad for higher studies, you should first check the reputation of the university or the institute you choose to pursue your studies. Make efforts to know about 'which university is the reputed one, for the subject I'm aspiring for?'

• Study about the laws and cultural affairs of the country before you make a decision to go there.

• As you are subject to the laws and custom of the foreign country, stay away from any disorderly, riotous behavior while you are in the new place.

• Apply for your passport at the earliest possible to avoid final moment confusions.

• Checkup with the embassy of the respective country to get information about visa-updates and other entry details.

• Read carefully the consular information sheet to make yourself familiar with the travel information about the respective country.

• The school or the university department, you are going to join, will offer information about different admission criteria for foreign students. You can get information from relevant websites too besides gathering the appropriate information from the ex-students of those universities.

• Going abroad for higher studies generally entails huge expenditure. Many universities offer student-funds and merit scholarships for international students. You can avail these funds and scholarships to meet your expenses.

• Personal interview is a part of the selection procedure of most universities and schools. Enhancing your communication skills and subject knowledge can help you face the interview with confidence.

Living in a foreign country is an interesting and learning experience. To have a wholesome and pleasant stay students must adapt themselves to culture of that country. For adaption students must first familiarise themselves with the customs and traditions of that particular country. Students can get country specific information from internet or through books.

Before going abroad for studying, students are generally apprehensive. Some of the doubts that may creep in students mind are:

• Is studying abroad more beneficial than studying at home?

• Whether I will be able to adapt to the culture of the country ?

• Can I cope with the financial and other demands of studying abroad?

• Can I look forward to a healthy life overseas?

To allay all these doubts we have come up with this guide for students going abroad.