As things are constantly changing in regards to obtaining our loved ones a UK Visa i thought its better to make a new tread in regards to the title of this thread ( so is up to date ).. I was aware at some point we would have to pay the " Immigration health surcharge " but as far as i was aware this was at a later time i,e the " ILR " visa.. am i right in saying as we are applying for Marilous 1st visa " spouse visa " we have to pay the ludicrous $900 fee ? i have also just noticed the PV has went up a further 7000 pesos.. this is actually getting beyond a joke.. i actually met an ex pat here in Mindanao the other day and he mentioned that he could`nt afford to apply to bring his wife to the UK i can now see where he is coming from.. e2a:: Also how do they work out £200 per year = £600 + ? and lastly to make it even more of a joke.. why is the fee in US dollars ? its a UK visa.. a UK .gov website but we have to pay in $ lol seriously ??
With the spouse visa you pay the NHS surcharge as part of the application, with the "Marriage Settlement visa" (Fiancée visa) you pay when applying for the first FLR(M) after marrying in the UK. I agree, it is a lot of money, something people have to give serious thought to before getting involved with a foreign national who resides out of the EU. And one thing for sure, the cost will steadily keep on rising, food for thought Like the Stella Artois advert states, its reassuringly expensive
For sure it will only get more expensive !! although i don`t think the fee is excessive compared to health care in the US but the last time i checked we are part of the EU.. anyhoo it is what it is.. just means Marilou wont be getting a new wardrobe for the Scottish weather lol..
Its probably because the VFS are dealing with so many applications for different countries, maybe they are trying to standardise the transaction process.
and to add further insult to injury with the conversion rate its not a £600 payment ! i will log in to my online banking shortly and see the exact amount that was debited from my account.. also im hoping its not charged as an international payment as i get charged by my bank for that ! On a brighter note i have paid for the Visa Application & the Immigration health surcharge and we have an appointment booked to submit all our documents in Cebu next tuesday ! lastly when i got the conformation email regarding paying the visa fees ( we can pay for the PV online or on the day ) the email states that a decision would be made within 15 working days ( non settlement ) and settlement within 60 working days ? PV visa is 10 working days . e2a - miss-read email and amended my post.. we are going for settlement the PV route.. but i thought it was 30 days for a decision not the 60 working days as mentioned in the email..
Hope so.. in the email it does say 10 working days.. anyways upon checking my online bank account the charges are as follows.. Health surcharge - supposed to be £600 with the conversion rate - £622.45 was debited from my account + £17.11 + £1.50 International debit card transaction fees.. total = £641.06 Visa Fee ( still to pay the PV fee ) with the conversion rates £1296.77 was debited from my account + £35.66 + £1.50 International debit card transaction fees.. total = £1333.93, on the Visa Fees page it states settlement visa is/was - $1793 i`m guessing this was the old fee as i was debited $1875 ? i do feel its an absolute farce to pay in $ and pay the conversion rates and then to have to pay further international fees by our banks.. its beyond a joke ! EDITED POST - PV VISA 3-5 for non settlement 10 working days for settlement ! also on the " User Pay Services "page it mentions applicants must read, print off, sign the PV Customer Declaration and bring to the VAC with their application, but when you download the form it has the old fee of 25,920 pesos so im assuming they will give us an up to date PV form on the day ? also does anyone know if Marilou`s application is sent of to Manila to be processed or is actually done in Cebu ? hoping Cebu !
Very expensive but worth it in the end, I am guessing that all UK visa applications are sent to the British Embassy in Manila where they are processed, the VFS are just employed to collate visa applications for various countries. Good luck with the application.
