£600 surcharge for entry clearance?

[humbleguy]

Hey All
I am preparing my wifes visa application for settlement, ie she needs to enter UK as a spouse. I went through the steps and the charge is £600? Please tell me this is a mistake? everywhere it says £200.

Am I even meant to pay this charge? this completly new development for me and its stressing me out big time. I pay thousands of £££ taxes and now I have to also pay this!!!!!

[Casa]

Yes it is new and unfortunately you have no choice but to pay the surcharge if you are applying for a spouse visa. It's calculated @ £200 per year (or part of a year), therefore for the first 33 month probationary visa, the surcharge will be £600. This has to be paid before you submit the visa application. This is in addition to the visa fee.
A further £500 surcharge will be due when your wife applies for her second extension in 2.5 years time.

[humbleguy]

Yes it is new and unfortunately you have no choice but to pay the surcharge if you are applying for a spouse visa. It's calculated @ £200 per year (or part of a year), therefore for the first 33 month probationary visa, the surcharge will be £600. This has to be paid before you submit the visa application. This is in addition to the visa fee.
A further £500 surcharge will be due when your wife applies for her second extension in 2.5 years time.

Thanks Casa for your reply. This Goverment makes me sick to the stomach!

They complain about migrants, but never acknowlegde these charges. I feel like migrating to some place else!

[WR1]

I pay thousands of £££ taxes and now I have to also pay this!!!!!

You don't have to pay this. It is payable by the applicant who has not paid any taxes or NI who will be able to use the NHS service when they arrive here. You paying on the applicant's behalf is entirely different.

However, what I don't agree with is people who are already in the UK, working and already paying taxes, NI etc and then having to pay this surcharge again if they apply for another category or extend their visa's.

[SoHopeful]

However, what I don't agree with is people who are already in the UK, working and already paying taxes, NI etc and then having to pay this surcharge again if they apply for another category or extend their visa's.

That is exactly how I feel about it!
My husband started working within 3 months of arriving and of course paying all the relevant taxes and national insurance like any other employee. If he was unemployed I would appreciate having to 'cover his costs' as a sponsor.

[MrAms]

Deleted

[michali]

A British national does not have to pay the surcharge, but anyone applying for either a spousal visa or an extension (FLR(M)), does. A British national would not apply for any visa to enter or remain in the UK.

[Casa]

Mrams you are very much mistaken!. I'm assuming you mean that if you are family of a British national you don't have to pay. The fact that you are a British Citizen does not exclude your wife from paying the surcharge and her application for FLR(M) will be refused if it isn't paid before applying. The fee will be £500 if the extension is for 2.5 years.
Please don't misguide members with incorrect information.