London, July 11: Foreign nationals living in the UK will have to pay the costs of the immigration services they use from August 1, resulting in an annual saving of 90 million pounds. Postal applications will cost 155 pounds, with a premium 'same day' service for personal callers costing 250 pounds.

The charges will apply to applications for an extension of stay in the UK, applications for settlement, and permanent residency stamps being put in new passports.

"We continue to welcome the many foreign nationals who choose to study, work and live in the UK - they boost our economy and add to our thriving cosmopolitan society. Many apply extend their stay each year, and it is right that they should meet the costs of that," home office minister Beverley Hughes said last night. "Charging will help us to continue to improve the efficiency and speed with which we process these applications, leading to ever higher levels of customer service," he said.

Bureau Report