Fees increase - A Catch in the statement

[mantasingh]

Today there is official news that fees is going to be increased.

News Snippet:
28 March 2012

Following Parliamentary approval, an increase in for some overseas visa fees, and UK-based visa application fees, will be introduced from Friday 6 April 2012.

All payments made from 00:01 (UK time) on Friday 6 April, should be paid according to the fee information on the Fees for our services page.Applications will not be accepted where an incorrect fee is paid.

For further information on the new fees, including the announcement made by Immigration Minister Damian Green, on 9 February, please see the previous news story.

As per the bold red, what will be the status of applications posted before 6th April but the payment taken after 6th April due to high rush of applications. My application reached UK Border Agency on 27th March and based upon other's response, it seems it take 9-10 days for payment deduction.

Anyone aware of this scenario from past when the fees were increased?
Don't want to loose another grand

[Greenie]

as long as your application was made before 6th April, you will be subject to the old fee.

[mantasingh]

Hi Greenie

Even I had the same impression, but then the statement by Mr. Green should be...

All applications submitted after 00:01 (UK time) on Friday 6 April, should be paid according to the fee information on the Fees for our services page.

Really I was quite confident with my application but now this statement has made me worried.
Keeping my fingers crossed and will post back what they deducted or done with my application.

Thanks for some relief though.

[Manka10]

As per the bold red, what will be the status of applications posted before 6th April but the payment taken after 6th April due to high rush of applications. My application reached UK Border Agency on 27th March and based upon other's response, it seems it take 9-10 days for payment deduction.

For all practical purposes, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the date of posting application by Royal Mail & the date application reaches UKBA by courier, is taken as the de facto date of application.

delays in taking payment by UKBA is their business really. so if you posted on or before 4th april, by next day delivery of course, you can have a pint or 2 from the money you saved

dont be under the impression that UKBA is deliberately holding off to take payment after 5th april so they can charge more

[Greenie]

Hi Greenie

Even I had the same impression, but then the statement by Mr. Green should be...

All applications submitted after 00:01 (UK time) on Friday 6 April, should be paid according to the fee information on the Fees for our services page.

Really I was quite confident with my application but now this statement has made me worried.
Keeping my fingers crossed and will post back what they deducted or done with my application.

Thanks for some relief though.

your application was submitted before 00:01 on 6th April and therefore, you will not be subject to the new fee.

[Manka10]

in Mr Green's terms, consider payment to be made when application is posted, whether payment goes thru or not is a different story

[sts96508]

interesting point. I scoured uk ba site looking for wording which would clear up the matter, one way or another, but couldn't find anything which says 'applications made before april-06...'

common sense and the spirit of the new rule implies that they should take the application date into consideration otherwise there is going to be chaos for all applications made before apr-06, but payment attempt made after apr-06

[mantasingh]

Thanks for all the confidence but still keeping my fingers crossed.
You never know with UKBA..

[ashehzi]

perhaps what happened last year to applicants who submitted before 06Apr11 and their payments got debited after 01Apr11 would give us a reference as an example.

[ScopeD]

Further to Greenie's and Manka10's posts, here is an extract from the Policy Guidance which should help clear the air for those in doubt:

Date of application
42. The date of application will be taken to be the following:

• Where the application form is sent by post, the date of posting; or
• Where the application form is sent by courier, the date on which it is delivered to the UK Border Agency of the Home Office; or
• Where the application form is submitted in person at a Public Enquiry Office, the date on which the application and associated payment is accepted.
Tier 1 (General) Policy Guidance version 04/2011 Page 5/6 of 33

It therefore follows that if you post your application (Royal Mail) before the times stated in the announcement (as mentioned by Greenie and Manka10), you will be required to pay the current fees because the date of posting is what is considered. However, if you send your application by courier and it reaches the UKBA on the morning of the 6th, you will be subject to new fees. It is as simple as that.

[benneviss]

No , it is a misleading , it will only apply to applications made after 6 April

[mantasingh]

I understand all the rules very well and think I will be fine. But still the statement posted in misleading.

I wonder how such high profile statements (which create news) can be incorrect and lead to multiple interpretations.

This is UKBA and not an ordinary firm.

[mantasingh]

The payment got deducted on 11th April and the correct payment as per previous rule is deducted from my account.

Hope everything goes well beyond this point.

Thanks for giving me the confidence.