HL Deb 04 May 2004 vol 660 cc104-5WA
Lord Chan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will waive the extension of the £150 visa fee for overseas post-graduate students pursuing a Masters in Business Administration and other courses where the graduation ceremony for successful students takes place many months after the conclusion of the courses. [HL2263]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Provided the requirements of the Immigration Rules are met, postgraduate students should be given leave to remain for the duration of their course plus four months. This should give post-graduate students sufficient time beyond the completion of their studies to enable them to attend their graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom.

There is no facility to waive fees and, other than those people legally exempt from the charge, all will have to pay for their applications to be processed. An application for further leave to remain as a student or as a visitor will attract a fee of £155 for a postal application and £250 for personal callers.