TRAVELLERS looking to get a priority
visa to visit the UK will now pay
substantially more for the service.
The Priority Visa Service, which allows
travellers to have their application
processed ahead of others, now costs
£150 (R3 278) instead of £120
(R2 622). The Super Priority Visa
service, which allows eligible customers
to apply for a visa in Johannesburg and
Pretoria and receive a decision within
24 hours, now costs £750 (R16 394)
instead of £600 (R13 113).
“These changes ensure that the
Home Office can achieve a self-funding
system, while continuing to provide a
competitive level of service and a fee
structure that remains attractive to
businesses, migrants and visitors,” the
UK government said in a statement.
For the cost-conscious traveller who
wants to save money, these hikes will
have an impact on their travel planning,
says John Ridler, spokesperson for
Thompsons Holidays.
He says travellers planning to visit
both Europe and the UK might drop one
of these destinations to save
money. “Increased costs might
also deter travellers from
spending a few days in the UK
en-route to or from the US.”
South Africans are already
bypassing the UK due to the
costs and inconvenience of
applying for the UK visa when
visiting Europe, says Megan
d’Arcy, product manager of
kulula holidays. However, VFR
and business travellers will
continue to visit the UK, she
adds.
