Currently, citizens from countries that are European Social Charter signatories are eligible for a £55 reduction on UK work visas. Removing the concession would affect 22 of the 27 EU member states’ citizens, as well as Iceland, Norway, North Macedonia and Turkey.
Article 18 of the charter says that signatories must simplify formalities and reduce or abolish charges payable by foreign workers. A government source has described the concession as ‘under review’ as the UK attempts to make its immigration system “fair for everyone” and to “level the playing field”.
The UK visas currently eligible for the discount are:
- Skilled worker visa
- Health and care worker visa
- Charity worker visa
- Creative and sporting visa
- Religious worker visa
- Seasonal worker visa
A further concession currently available is the Health and Care Visa which offers a faster, cheaper route into the UK for medical professionals, with a visa costing between £232 and £464 before the reduction. The Home Office says this visa means health and care professionals pay 50 percent less than Skilled Workers. Over the course of the pandemic, the government has given around 20,000 free Health and Care Visas to NHS workers.
Immigration Health Surcharge
NHS workers have been exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The surcharge totals up to £624 per year and is applied to the majority of visa applications.
Immigration Solicitors Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester
If you have any questions about the issues raised in this article and need the help of Manchester Immigration solicitors, Rochdale immigration solicitors or Oldham immigration solicitors then contact Scarsdale Solicitors Oldham, Scarsdale Solicitors Manchester or Scarsdale Solicitors Rochdale us on 0161 660 6050 for further advice.
