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Immigration and Nationality Application Fees
25 March 2021
Lead MP
Meg Hillier
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Lab Co-op
Responding Minister
Kevin Foster
Tags
Immigration
Word Count: 14531
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Meg Hillier raised concerns about immigration and nationality application fees in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Home Office should review the current fee structure to make it more accessible for young people who want to become British citizens and contribute to the UK's global ambition. The Government should consider reducing fees or providing financial assistance to those on low incomes.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The fees for immigration and citizenship have increased significantly, affecting young people who arrived in the UK as children. The cost of becoming a British citizen has risen from £540 to £1,012 for registering a child as a British citizen, and from £972 to £2,389 for indefinite leave to remain applications. For those on the 10-year route to citizenship, the overall cost can exceed £38,408 for a family of four. The fees are out of reach for many families living in poverty, discouraging these young individuals from fully integrating into British society and contributing to the economy.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
The Home Office's route to citizenship is exploitative and pushes families into debt, with fees totalling £10,372 for ILR applications. Legal costs can also be prohibitive. The fee waiver system is difficult to access unless a family is destitute. Cases are often lengthy and inefficient, causing significant financial hardship.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Noted a significant increase in EU citizens looking to take on citizenship for greater certainty. Highlighted the additional costs faced by constituents due to biometric enrolment process not being offered locally, necessitating travel to Aberdeen or Dundee. Calculated travel expenses for ferry and plane trips from Shetland to Aberdeen at £492, questioning why similar demands are not imposed on his minister's own constituents. Mr. Carmichael expressed encouragement at the Minister's comments but called for immediate action to install machines for enrolment and biometrics in Kirkwall and Lerwick.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
He highlighted the need for changes in both border process and citizenship management to support a more welcoming approach towards immigrants. He pointed out that fees for citizenship are common internationally but noted that they can be significant barriers, especially for children in care systems and refugee families.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Ms Hayes criticised the Government's high immigration application fees for creating barriers that prevent people from claiming rightful status as UK citizens. She provided an example of her constituent, A, who missed out on student finance due to a delay in securing his indefinite leave to remain because of high application costs. Ms Hayes argued that these policies not only cause financial hardship but also add stress and anxiety for key workers during the pandemic.
Holly Lynch
Lab
Halifax
Ms Lynch reflected on the increase in immigration and nationality fees over the past decade, citing a leave to remain fee increase of 331% in six years. She mentioned that it costs £142 for the government to process applications but charges £12,771 per person. Ms Lynch also highlighted issues with children's registration fees being deemed unjust and called on the Minister to reconsider these fees. She further discussed the challenges faced by NHS staff due to immigration application fees, urging the Government to remove such barriers.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
The MP pointed out that the current system of nationality application fees is deeply unjust, with costs increasing by 331% over six years. He criticized the Home Office's profit-making from application processing and highlighted the negative impact on young people and access to justice due to high legal representation costs.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
The speaker expressed concern over the complex rules and high fees that prevent families from reuniting. He highlighted issues such as the requirement for above-average incomes, excessive visa fees, and delays in processing applications. Imran Hussain also mentioned the Home Office's failure to address a High Court ruling regarding unlawful registration fees for children.
Kate Osamor
Lab Co-op
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
She criticized the high immigration fees, which she said have pushed many people into unsustainable debt. She shared examples of constituents who had been forced into financial hardship due to these fees, despite having the right to work and live in the UK.
Rob Roberts
Lab
Bolton West
Rob Roberts highlighted the case of Carrie, an NHS worker from the Philippines who has been separated from her family due to high visa and renewal fees. He emphasized that these fees leave workers like Carrie in debt and unable to afford indefinite leave to remain or citizenship applications despite their contributions to the UK's healthcare system.
Mitcham and Morden
Ms McDonagh highlighted the difficulties faced by NHS nurses from the Philippines, such as Kathryn, who are charged excessive fees for renewing their visas every three years. She pointed out that these individuals often struggle financially to meet visa renewal costs and face significant hurdles in securing indefinite leave to remain. Ms McDonagh also mentioned the emotional toll of working during the pandemic, with some colleagues losing their lives while supporting patients.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South
Members have raised issues with fees applied by the Home Office, which are deemed unreasonable and unfair. Stuart McDonald focused on fees charged to children for British citizenship registration and the long route to settlement, noting that these fees often prevent families from achieving permanent status in the UK.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Tahir Ali argued that immigration and nationality application fees are unaffordable and part of a hostile environment for immigrants. He pointed out that non-refundable fees can lead to significant financial loss if applications are unsuccessful, and he called for the Home Office to reform its fee structure.
Government Response
Kevin Foster
Government Response
The minister responded to the debate, outlining the current landscape for immigration fees set by the Home Office under the Immigration Act 2014. He stated that individual fee levels are calculated in line with managing public money principles and the powers provided by the act. The minister mentioned simplifying settlement requirements for young people and reducing biometric appointments through digital means to make the process easier. Additionally, he addressed child citizenship concerns and noted that the Home Office is conducting a section 55 assessment on the child registration fee. He also highlighted measures introduced during the pandemic to support individuals and businesses, including changes to income requirements and introducing new points-based systems.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.