The Royal Society has responded to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's call for evidence in to the Home Office approach to charging for services. Choosing where to live and work is a personal decision as well as a professional choice and factors such as cost and perceptions play an important role.
The response highlights new analysis that an academic entering the UK with a family on a 3 year Tier 2 visa would have to pay upfront costs, equivalent to 11% of their annual salary, in Home Office and other compulsory charges.
The Society recommends the implementation of an immigration system for people with skills relevant to research and innovation that is fair, transparent and efficient. As part of this, the costs of any necessary visas should be commensurate with typical academic salaries and with the length of stay being requested – from a day visit to long term appointments.