The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations specify fees relating to immigration, nationality and associated functions. They are made further to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2015, which sets out the functions in connection with immigration and nationality for which the Secretary of State may charge a fee, and the maximum amount that can be charged for each of these functions.

These Regulations specify fees relating to applications for entry clearance and leave to enter the United Kingdom, and for limited and indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. They specify fees for applications for documents relating to immigration, including for a transfer of conditions, documents relating to employment, travel documents (other than passports), transit visas, documents issued pursuant to the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, certificates of entitlement to the right of abode, documents recording biometric information, and, in relation to the latter, for the process by which such information is captured.

These Regulations also include fees for applications for entry clearance or leave to remain made under the Points-Based System set out in Part 6A of the immigration rules and for sponsor licenses, premium customer services for sponsors and for applications for sponsor licences and connected applications and processes, including the issuing of an action plan. They also specify the fees for various consular functions, including the receiving, processing and forwarding of documents, and for optional premium services and processes offered either in the UK or to applicants overseas. These include the expedited processing of applications, the provision of services outside office hours, and the provision of services at a location other than offices of the Home Office or consular premises overseas. They also include fees for the passport pass-back service and the international contact centre advice and support service (both offered to applicants overseas) and for the registered travellers scheme (by which members of that scheme are offered expedited transit through the UK border).

These Regulations specify fees for applications, services and processes in connection with nationality, including the arrangement of citizenship ceremonies, the administration of citizenship oaths, the supply of certified copies, the amendment of certificates of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen and the reconsideration of applications for registration or naturalisation as a British citizen. They also specify fees for applications for entry clearance to the Channel Islands, and finally, they specify the fee for the administration of the ‘Life in the UK’ test and for the administrative review of an immigration or nationality decision.

A full impact assessment estimating the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector was published alongside the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2015 and is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.