Foreigners to be charged £155 to stay

Foreigners living in the UK are to be charged £155 when they apply to extend their stay, saving the taxpayer £90 million a year, ministers said today.

A premium, same day service for people applying in person will cost £250.

Foreign nationals will have to pay the fees when they apply for settlement, for an extension of stay in the UK or for permanent residency stamps to be put in a new passport.

The charges will not apply to European Economic Area nationals, asylum applications or certain other types of immigration cases.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said: "We continue to welcome the many foreign nationals who choose to study, work and live in the UK - they boost our economy and add to our thriving, cosmopolitan society.

"Many apply to extend their stay each year and it is right that they should meet the costs of that.

"Charging for the cost of processing these applications will save the taxpayer £90 million a year."

The charges will begin on August 1.