Skip to main content
Banner image for Robert Courts MP

Robert Courts MP

MP for Witney & West Oxfordshire
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • My Map
  • About Robert
  • News
  • My Plan for West Oxon
  • Issues & Campaigns
  • What Can an MP do?
  • Surveys
  • Contact
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Robert Calls for Visa Fees for Commonwealth Veterans to be Abolished

  • Tweet
Wednesday, 17 July, 2019
CV

Robert has added his name to a cross-party group of MP’s who have written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid calling for the abolition of visa fees for Commonwealth servicemen and women in the British armed forces.

Currently Commonwealth citizens serving in the UK armed forces have the right to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after four years’ service if they choose to stay in the UK. However application costs have risen considerably in recent years, meaning it would currently cost almost £10,000 in visa fees for a service leaver to settle in the UK with a spouse and two children.

This has created a situation where Commonwealth citizens are often forced to choose between leaving the UK or remaining here and splitting up their family. The Royal British Legion, which has raised awareness of this issue through their ‘Stop the Service Charge’ campaign, say they provided £36,000 in grants for visa fees last year alone.

The letter, which has been signed by more than 130 different MPs from 8 different parties, calls on the Home Secretary to recognise those who have served in the UK armed forces by abolishing visa costs for them and their families.

Robert said: "Charging high visa fees to those who have sacrificed to serve this country is no way to thank our brave Commonwealth veterans. Let's scrap the service charge to ensure that those who have served our nation have the right to apply to stay without exorbitant costs."

  • Westminster News

You may also be interested in

RCDS

Supporting our Armed Forces

The armed forces are a key part of the identity of West Oxfordshire.  RAF Brize Norton is the largest military air base in Europe and home to a third of the Royal Air Force, and those who live and work at the base contribute strongly to our community.

Embedded thumbnail for Robert Visits Covid-19 Vaccine Centre in Chipping Norton

Robert Visits Covid-19 Vaccine Centre in Chipping Norton

Monday, 11 January, 2021

Over the weekend, I was pleased to be invited to see the Covid-19 vaccination operation that is well underway at Chipping Norton Health Centre.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Media
  • Opinions
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster News

Robert Courts MP Member of Parliament for Witney & West Oxfordshire

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Robert Courts
  • Expenses and Register of Interests
Site logoPromoted by Ian Galletley, on behalf of Robert Courts MP, both at West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, 58-60 High Street, Witney, OX28 6HJ.
Copyright 2021 Robert Courts MP Member of Parliament for Witney & West Oxfordshire. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree