The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2012

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, made under sections 51(3), 52(1) and 52(3) of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, specify fees relating to immigration and nationality. They are made for the purposes of the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/445), which sets out the applications, services and processes related to immigration and nationality for which fees may be specified in regulations.

These Regulations specify fees in cases where the amount of the fee either exceeds the administrative costs incurred by the Secretary of State or reflects the costs related to other applications, services or processes relating to immigration or nationality. The Secretary of State is permitted to set fees exceeding the administrative costs of processing an application or providing a process or service by section 42 (1), (2), and (2A) of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004. Under section 42(7) of that Act any instrument made in reliance on sections 42(1), (2) and (2A), such as these Regulations, must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before it is made.

Fees relating to immigration and nationality applications, processes and services, which do not exceed the administrative costs involved, are specified in other regulations, subject to the negative resolution procedure, made under sections 51(3), 52(1) and 52(3) of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Consequently where fees are not specified in these Regulations in relation to certain types of applications they may be specified in those other regulations.

These Regulations replace, with modifications, the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2011. They specify fees relating to; applications for limited and indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom, applications for entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom, and applications relating to nationality. They 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 and premium sponsor status. These Regulations in addition specify the fees for various services and processes, including the expedited provision of residence cards and permanent residence cards, the processing of applications for limited leave to remain made on a premium case working basis and the provision of services by the United Kingdom Border Agency outside office hours. Finally these Regulations specify a number of fees for applications made outside the United Kingdom for entry clearance to enter the Channel Islands.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.