Visa fees campaign report launch

Visa fees campaign report launch

We are delighted to invite you to the launch our report on the impact that visa costs and the settlement process has on migrants.

We very much hope you can join us in parliament on Tuesday 19 May, 2026 from 5 – 7pm in the Wilson Room of the Portcullis House.

The report, ‘the true cost: The financial, social and mental health impacts of the UK visa and settlement system’ shows how the cost of visas and the length of the settlement routes puts a strain on the lives of innumerable migrants and their families.

Drawing on survey data and focus groups with migrants on five- and ten-year routes to settlement, the report’s findings indicate that the current system imposes excessive cumulative costs, prolonged insecurity and significant mental health strain.

At the report launch you will hear from Migrant Voice about the findings of our research, from legal and policy experts and from migrants who will share their first-hand experiences of the impact of extortionate visa costs and long settlement routes. We will discuss the changes we want to see for a fairer visa and immigration system.

Some of the key findings from our report are:

• People can expect to pay tens of thousands of pounds per person to remain in the UK. Nearly half spent £5,001–£10,000. Almost one-third spent £10,000–£25,000.

• Almost half of respondents went into debt to meet these expenses.
• Nearly three-quarters of respondents were prevented from accessing most public support.
• Both five- and ten-year routes were associated with stress and instability, with impacts amplified on ten-year routes due to repeated renewals and cumulative costs.
• Nearly all respondents reported cutting back on essentials to save for renewals.
• The IHS was widely criticised as double taxation.

To sign up, please register here

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.