Hundreds of Commonwealth military veterans who risked their lives serving in the UK armed forces face mounting debts after being forced to pay visa fees to remain in the country after their discharge.
The fees for indefinite leave to remain have risen by 127% in five years to £2,389 per person, amounting to almost £10,000 for a family of four. Since their introduction in 2003, the fees have risen by 1,441%. If veterans cannot pay, or their application fails, they are liable to be deported. The Royal British Legion is calling on the UK government to scrap the fees as a matter of urgency, particularly as the Ministry of Defence aims to increase recruitment from British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries to 1,300 a year.
Many face desperate financial problems on discharge, sometimes paying the fees on credit cards, but as they are unable to work or claim benefits while their applications are processed, they incur huge debts. In a letter to the immigration minister, Caroline Nokes, the charity has called on the government to grant a waiver of fees in the next parliamentary session and to abolish the fees altogether thereafter.
“If you are going to ask somebody to come here, risk their lives in service to this country, and everything else we ask of our armed forces, it’s only fair we allow them to stay. These are Commonwealth veterans who have done their time, who have served, and whom the nation owes a debt of gratitude to.”
Andy Pike, Public Policy Manager, The Royal British Legion
Each year, around 500 Commonwealth personnel leave the armed forces and are faced with these costs, or the possibility of deportation. In 2017, around 7.1% of army recruits were from Commonwealth countries. While serving, they are exempt from UK immigration controls, but exemption is removed upon discharge. Those who have served more than four years are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
The Royal British Legion is asking people to support the campaign by writing to their Member of Parliament.
