UK to introduce fee waiver for bereaved foreign nationals seeking settlement

The UK government has announced a new policy set to take effect on October 9, 2024, which will allow foreign nationals who have lost a partner and are experiencing financial difficulties to apply for a fee waiver when seeking settlement in the UK.

Currently, individuals applying for settlement after the death of their British partner must pay a fee of GBP 2,885, regardless of their financial situation. The new policy will change this.

Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, confirmed in Parliament that the government will introduce the fee waiver to support those facing severe financial hardship following the loss of a partner. Malhotra commented, “Losing a loved one is an immense pain, often compounded by financial struggles.”

Under the new policy, widows, widowers, and dependent children can apply for a fee waiver if they are destitute, enabling them to settle in the UK without the financial burden of the application fee.

The fee waiver will be available to partners on family visas who meet the destitution criteria, including those married to or in a relationship with a British citizen, a person with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or a national from the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status. It will also extend to bereaved partners of Armed Forces members, Gurkhas, or Hong Kong military veterans discharged before July 1997.

In addition to this policy change, the UK is updating its diplomatic visa system. The new “Diplomatic Visa Arrangement” (DVA) will replace the existing Diplomatic Visa Waivers (DVWs). Under the DVA, diplomatic passport holders from countries that previously benefited from DVWs will continue to have streamlined access to the UK. The new process will be simplified, eliminating fees and fingerprint requirements for applicants to ensure a more efficient and hassle-free experience.

Furthermore, a new visa category, the “VIP Delegate Visa,” will be introduced for official delegations accompanying foreign Heads of State and government ministers. This visa will offer up to 20 permits for officials accompanying Heads of State and 10 for those accompanying government ministers, and like the DVA, will not require application fees or fingerprint submissions. This change aims to align the UK’s diplomatic visa processes with international standards, facilitating smoother diplomatic visits while maintaining essential security measures.