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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer considers scrapping visa fees for top global talent as US hikes H-1B visa fee to $100000.
The idea of cutting visa costs to zero is for people who have attended the world’s top five universities or have won prestigious prizes, an official told the newspaper. (Representational)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is exploring proposals to abolish visa fees for top global talent, including scientists, academics, and digital experts, in a bid to drive growth, the Financial Times reported.
The significant move came at a time when the US has taken a tougher stance on immigration, imposing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas.
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The discussions inside 10 Downing Street and the Treasury were already underway before the Trump administration significantly increased the H-1B visa fee.
Starmer’s “global talent taskforce” is developing ideas to attract the world’s best scientists, academics and digital experts to the UK to drive economic growth, the report said, citing people briefed on the talks.
A zero-fee system is reportedly proposed for applicants who have attended the world’s top five universities or have won prestigious prizes. The current cost of Britain’s Global Talent visa is £766 (about $1,030), a fee that also applies to any partners and dependents of the main applicant.
A person involved in the UK talks told Financial Times that the US decision had “put wind in the sails” of those pushing for Britain to cut costs on its high-end visa system ahead of the November 26 Budget.
Earlier in May this year, the British government mulled over introducing major changes to visa and immigration laws, furthering its efforts to reduce the number of migrant workers who can live and work in the UK.
According to the UK government, a complete revamp of the “failed experiment” to curb immigration is necessary to slash the number of legal immigrants into the country.
The Keir Starmer administration made the announcement on May 11 ahead of the presentation of the government’s Immigration White Paper in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the US President has announced to raise the H-1B visa fee to a staggering $100,000 (about Rs 88 lakh), which has created widespread panic and confusion among Indian professionals and travellers.
Later, the White House clarified that the individuals currently holding H-1B visas, including those visiting India or abroad, won’t be affected.
The White House on Saturday (September 20) issued a major clarification to its new H-1B visa policy as panic swept through the tech industry. It said this fee will be a “one-time” payment for only new applicants, and not an annual fee. It will only be imposed on new applicants and not impact renewals as well as existing visa holders.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made the clarification after the US Commerce Secretary on Friday (September 19) said the H1-B visa fee has to be paid annually by new applicants and renewals. Her three-point clarification on X also said existing visa holders currently outside the US will “NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter”.
The move by the US administration had sparked concerns for the Indians, as 71-72 per cent of H-1B visas are going to Indians.
(With inputs from Reuters)
London, United Kingdom (UK)
September 22, 2025, 16:01 IST
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