ON OCTOBER 4, the government raised most visa fees by 15-20 per cent. This means the Home office making even more excessive profits off of migrants. 

Even prior to this increase the cost of fees could be seven to 10 times that of the actual processing costs. 

The increases just force fees further away from the processing costs, and, in so doing, force more people into destitution to pay for them. For example, “indefinite leave to remain” costs roughly £646 to process, but the applicant pays £2,885.

The reason for hiking the fees that the government has provided is that it wants to use the extra income to fund public-sector pay rises, among other things.

These unjust and extortionate fees are seeing migrants treated as a personal bank for the government. It is reflective of an environment which continues to dehumanise those who come here to live, work, build families and live their lives. 

When people are forced to pay tens of thousands of pounds just to maintain the basic rights which most take for granted, such as renting a home or being able to work, it can drive them into destitution. 

Something as simple as an unexpected bill can have devastating consequences if they are unable to afford the costs of renewal. 

This means that these fees are adding to the precarious nature of someone’s status, and could leave them having to battle, at yet more cost, to regain it if lost.

Losing status is a terrifying ordeal for those facing it. It means they cannot work, cannot pay bills, cannot find somewhere to live. 

Every aspect of their lives is ripped apart. Unable to access medical treatment when ill, unable to seek protection if attacked. For pregnant women it can mean being unable to see a midwife. 

The list of effects is long and each contributes to the way in which those affected are further dehumanised. It feels as though you do not exist and yet you are there. It makes you confused because you do not live a normal life. It makes you question your very existence.

Migrant Voice is leading a campaign to ask the government to reduce visa fees. It is calling on the government to ensure that they are in line with actual processing costs, and that the routes to settlement are capped at five years. 

As Migrant Voice director Nazek Ramadan said: “Nobody should be forced into a choice between eating or living, yet every day some migrants have to balance the cost of buying food against the cost of what happens if they cannot afford their next visa fees payment. 

“Migrants are part of our communities; we should be treated as such. We are not a magic money tree for this government to exploit. The current system is destroying people’s lives. We need a system which is fairer for all. We need to take action on visas now.”

On October  31 Migrant Voice is bringing together organisations and individuals from around the country for a national day of action on visa fees. 

Loraine Masiya Mponela currently works for Migrant Voice as a Birmingham community worker. For more information visit www.migrantvoice.org.