In a joint statement last week, the Home Office and Ministry of Defence announced a change in immigration rules to allow people who have served in the UK’s military to have their visa fees waived.
UK Visa fees will now no longer apply to: Currently serving non-UK personnel who will have served at least six years at their point of departure from service; currently or former serving non-UK personnel who are discharged on medical grounds with a condition attributable to service, regardless of length of service; and former Service Personnel who served for at least six years, are living in the UK and have not yet regularised their immigration status.
Under the new rules, the vast majority of non-UK service men and women who leave each year will benefit from free settlement if they choose to remain in the UK after their service. Settled status will allow them to live and work freely in the UK. These changes will be implemented by the Home Office during their Immigration rules update in April.
Moreover, Service Personnel also retain the right to apply for British citizenship while serving, instead of settlement on discharge. They are eligible to do this after residing in the UK for five years (which includes any time they spend outside the UK on overseas assignments). This would give them access to a British passport alongside other rights afforded by settled status.
Commenting, John Lamont MP said:
“Those who serve our country in the armed forces are truly the best of us. It is absolutely right that non-UK service personnel are given the recognition they deserve. I believe the measures outlined by the UK Government go some of the way to providing that.
“Commonwealth soldiers have a proud history of serving in our military, including during the World Wars, and right up to the present day helping us fight against Covid-19.
“After deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and many other countries across the globe in recent years, more recently our armed forces have played a vital role in our battle against Covid-19. I know that non-UK personnel have been an integral part of these operations.
“It is vital that those serving or who have served in our armed forces feel valued. I am pleased to see the UK Government taking more steps to make this happen.
“Last week’s update to immigration rules will also encourage personnel to consider staying in the armed forces for longer, addressing concerns about retaining more of our fantastic soldiers.”
