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The UK government has announced new rules that will allow foreign nationals who have lost a British partner and are facing financial hardship to apply for a fee waiver when seeking settlement in the country.
Currently, individuals applying for settlement after the death of a partner must pay a substantial fee of £2,885, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The change, set to take effect on October 9, 2024, was announced by Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, in Parliament. Malhotra, who is of Indian origin, emphasized the government’s intention to introduce a “fairer and more compassionate approach” to help those in need.
“Losing a loved one is an unimaginable pain, often worsened by financial difficulties,” Malhotra said as quoted by Travelbiz.
The new waiver aims to ease the burden on widows, widowers, and dependent children, allowing them to settle in the UK without the hefty application fee if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for the Fee Waiver
To qualify for the fee waiver, applicants must be on family visas and meet the criteria for financial destitution. Eligible partners must have been in a relationship or married to someone who was:
A British citizen
A holder of indefinite leave to remain in the UK
A citizen of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status
In addition, bereaved partners of Armed Forces members, Gurkhas, or Hong Kong military veterans discharged before July 1997 will also be eligible for the fee waiver.
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