The recent announcement in Parliament signifies a groundbreaking shift: Foreign partners of deceased British citizens in the UK no longer have to pay the settlement fee. Effective October 9, 2024, this new regulation will greatly impact personal finance for many. The application fee, previously set at GBP 2,885 (approximately Rs 3 lakh), will be waived for those experiencing financial hardship.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra highlighted this change as a move towards a “fairer and more compassionate approach,” designed to alleviate the financial stress faced by those who have lost their partners.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one brings profound emotional pain. Minister Malhotra emphasized that this legislation aims to ease the additional financial burdens often faced by surviving partners.
Earlier Settlement Fee Rules and the New Changes
In the past, individuals seeking settlement in the UK after the death of their British citizen partner had to pay the full application fee, regardless of their financial situation. This created immense financial pressure, particularly for those already facing destitution. Malhotra explained that this new waiver offers needed relief for widows, widowers, and dependent children who have become integral to the UK community.
“This waiver marks a fairer and more compassionate approach for those unable to afford the settlement fees,” Malhotra stated, “especially for those who have significantly contributed to the UK, including partners of military veterans.”
Eligibility for the Settlement Fee Waiver
The fee waiver applies to foreign nationals whose partners were:
- British citizens.
- Individuals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
- EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizens with pre-settled status.
- Members of the Armed Forces, Gurkhas, or Hong Kong military veterans discharged before July 1997.
These changes by the UK government aim to alleviate the financial burden on those who have already contributed so much to the community.
Introduction of the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement
As part of the same announcement, Malhotra introduced reforms to the UK’s diplomatic visa process. The Diplomatic Visa Waivers (DVWs) will be replaced by the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA) system, aligning with the UK’s move towards digital pre-travel checks.
“The DVA system will ensure smooth and efficient access to the UK for diplomatic passport holders, nominated by their governments through official notes,” Malhotra stated. This streamlined system will waive application fees and eliminate the need for fingerprint submission, making diplomatic travel more efficient.
Launch of the VIP Delegate Visa
Another notable introduction is the VIP Delegate Visa, aimed at official delegations accompanying foreign Heads of State and government ministers visiting the UK. The visa issuance will be capped at:
- 20 for delegations accompanying Heads of State.
- 10 for delegations accompanying government ministers.
Malhotra emphasized that this new visa aligns with international standards and ensures a streamlined application process without fees or fingerprint requirements.
First Published: Sep 13, 2024 | 5:05 PM IST
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