ECB06 - Entry clearance fees
This is internal guidance for use by entry clearance (visa) staff on the handling of visa applications made outside the UK. It is a live document under constant review and is for information only.
On this page
ECB6.1 On what basis are fees charged?
From 1 April 2008, the Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide the authority for levying most entry clearance fees overseas.
Fees for entry clearance in respect of the Crown Dependencies, Overseas Territories and other Commonwealth countries, and callout charges for taking biometrics on mobile kits, remain in the Consular Fees Order pending further rationalisation during 2008.
ECB6.2 What are the visa fees?
Full list of visa fees is available on the visa fees page on this website.
ECB6.3 In what currency are the fees paid?
- Fees are generally paid in local currency.
- Any request to pay in hard or other currency must be cleared with UK Border Agency, International Group Finance department.
- The form of payment may be by cash, bank draft, postal or money order payable to the mission.
- Payment can also be made with a banker's draft obtained by the sponsor from a bank in the UK, made payable in the local currency to the mission.
- Payments may also be made on-line following the instructions provided.
- No other form of payment is acceptable.
ECB6.4 What is the fee for dependants?
- If making the same application type as the main applicant, the dependants are charged the same fee as that paid by the main applicant.
- Each dependant pays the same fee as the main applicant, even if included in the main applicant's passport.
- Where more than one type of fee is charged (e.g. a businessman applies for a long-term visit visa and his family need only standard visit visas), the fees must be split and credited to the appropriate subheads in the Post account. Only one receipt need be issued to the applicant, but the accountant will require a copy for each subhead.
ECB6.5 Are there any other charges?
For the UK:
- No charge for the referral by e-mail, egram or fax of entry clearance applications to the UK.
For Commonwealth / Overseas Territories:
- A charge may be made to cover the cost of a referral. Reimbursement of charges for a reply may also be requested by the Commonwealth country or Overseas Territory. (ECG Volume 3 Issue of visas on behalf of Overseas Territories and ECG Volume 3 Issue of visas on behalf of certain independent Commonwealth countries).
ECB6.6 Issue of gratis visas
The expectation is that all applicants seeking a visa to enter the UK or Crown Dependencies will pay the appropriate fee. Visa operations are an essential part of the UK's immigration control and it is Government policy that, where possible, fees charged for services should cover the costs of providing them, to reduce the burden on the taxpayer.
The paragraph numbers below are taken from the Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) Regulations 2011. However, the provisions of this guidance apply to all fees including those covered by the cost recovery Fees Regulations.
11. No fee is payable by the applicant in relation to an application referred to in regulation 10 where—
(a) it is in connection with the official duty of any official of Her Majesty's Government;
(b) the application is made under paragraphs 352A to 352FI of the immigration rules; or
(c) the Secretary of State determines that the fee should be waived.Paragraph 11 (c) "the Secretary of State determines that the fee should be waived" will apply only to cases where there are the most exceptional, compelling and compassionate circumstances specifically relating to the payment of the fee.
12. The official determining the application may waive the payment of a fee or reduce the fee required under regulation 10 where—
(a) it is made by a candidate for or holder of a scholarship funded by Her Majesty's Government and is in connection with such scholarship; or
(b) where the official so decides as a matter of international courtesy; or
(c) where the applicant intends to visit the United Kingdom in connection with one of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Strategic or Bilateral Programmes.
ECB6.7 Discretion to waive fee
Posts have no discretion to waive visa fees for any other reason other than those listed in the fees legislation, as quoted in ECB 6.6 above.
Where there is a request for a gratis visa outside those listed in Para 1, 14a or 14b, and 15a-c of the fees regulations these must be referred to the UK.
If a potential applicant insists the fee should be waived for reasons other than those listed in ECB6.6 they should be advised to state their reasons in writing to the ECM, post should then refer the request to RCU. RCU will consider the request for waiving the fee only, they will not consider the visa application itself. RCU will reply to post with their decision on whether or not to accept the application without payment of the fee. Post should advise the applicant of the outcome.
Destitution alone will not be considered as valid grounds for waiving visa fees. When considering the payment of the fee, it is usual practice to consider not only the applicant's ability to pay but also to take into account the sponsor's, or other wider family's ability to pay the fee as well.
For the purposes of sub paragraph 14(b), Part 11 of the Immigration Rules states that family reunion applies to the following relationships; spouses, civil partners, unmarried or same sex partners and children of a parent granted either asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK.
Entry Clearance Staff are reminded that no fee is payable in respect of exempt vignettes to individuals described in ECG Exempt (EXM5), or applications made under the 2006 EEA Regulations (EEA family permits ECG European Nationals & Schemes EUN (21)).