Recommendation 10

HM Government Acknowledged

UK visa fees are broadly in line with our competitors across a range of visa types. Visa products are, however, difficult to compare because visa offers including benefits and entitlements gained and duration of stay, vary significantly between countries. As a matter of course, we continue to keep visa fees under review. Income from visa fees helps to fund the migration and borders system and reduces the burden on UK taxpayers. There is little evidence fee increases to date have affected demand on work, study and tourism routes, not least in light of the most recent migration statistics. We publish Impact Assessments when we make fee changes in legislation. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is set at a competitive level. Private health insurance requirements operated in other competitor countries can be higher or may not provide comprehensive access to healthcare without the payment of direct charges for accessing them. Maternity services are often not included without additional cost, and many pre-existing conditions may not be covered. IHS is paid by nationals subject to immigration control who apply to come to the UK to work, study or join family for a time-limited period of more than 6 months. It is also paid by nationals who are already in the UK and apply to extend their stay. It is designed to be paid up-front, in full, so an individual’s healthcare is covered for the full length of time they are granted immigration leave in the UK. This ensures they do not need to worry about insurance or pay for unexpected medical treatment whilst they are here. To date, the Immigration Health Surcharge has raised almost £2 billion for the NHS. This much-needed income is shared between the health administrations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, using the formula devised by Lord Barnett. The Global Talent category was introduced on 20 February 2020. It is for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, digital technology and arts and culture wishing to work in the UK. ‘Talent’ applicants are already leaders in their respective field, while ‘promise’ applicants have shown the potential to become leaders in their field. Global Talent provides a number of options of fast-track visa options for those with specialist skills in science and research to come and work, study and live in the UK. In summary, the route: • Provides eligible people with a flexible visa for up to five years, during which they can come and go from the UK at will; • At the end of three years, individuals are able apply for accelerated settled status (giving a permanent right to reside in the UK and access to benefits and services, including health care, on the same basis as British citizens); • Ensure that where individuals are absent from the UK for longer than 180 days per year due to undertaking research overseas, this does not affect settlement applications adversely; • No minimum salary requirement (unlike in the Skilled Worker route); • No requirement for individuals to have a confirmed job offer and be sponsored by an employer (unlike in Skilled Worker); and • Allow migrants to bring dependants (spouses/partners and children), with adult dependants broadly having full access to the labour market. • Applicants have the flexibility to request up to 5 years in a single application and can apply to extend it. Individuals can obtain an extension if they have earned money in the field for which they were initially endorsed and have not had their endorsement withdrawn by the endorsing body. Acknowledging the unique challenges created by the Covid pandemic, a temporary concession was put in place as part of the UKRI endorsed funder route, effectively reducing the threshold for those involved in this key area of research. Individuals who were endorsed by one the science bodies (Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy and UKRI) are able to settle in the UK after spending 3 years continuous lawful residence in a combination of eligible routes. Where they have absences from the UK relating to activities in their field (for example overseas research), these do not affect their continuous residence.