UK Government Introduces Fee Waiver for Widows, Widowers, and Dependent Children
In a bid to ease the financial burden on those who have lost a loved one, the UK government has announced a new rule that will allow foreign nationals who have suffered a loss of a British partner to apply for a fee waiver when seeking settlement in the country. The change is set to take effect on October 9, 2024, and is aimed at providing a more compassionate approach to those who are struggling financially.
The current system requires individuals applying for settlement after the death of a partner to pay a substantial fee of £2,885, regardless of their financial circumstances. However, under the new rule, eligible applicants will be exempt from this fee if they meet the eligibility criteria.
According to Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, the government is committed to helping those who are facing financial hardship due to the loss of a loved one. “Losing a loved one is an unimaginable pain, and we want to ensure that those who are struggling financially do not face additional burdens,” she said.
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, holder of indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or a citizen of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status.
In addition to these criteria, bereaved partners of Armed Forces members, Gurkhas, or Hong Kong military veterans discharged before July 1997 will also be eligible for the fee waiver.
The new rule is expected to provide relief to many individuals who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one while also facing financial difficulties. With this change, the UK government is demonstrating its commitment to providing a more compassionate and fair approach to immigration and settlement procedures.
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