Outstanding international scientists have been forced to turn down job offers from UK universities because they cannot afford to pay high visa costs, a parliamentary committee has been told.
Speaking at the House of Lords’ Science and Technology Committee, Harry Anderson, policy manager for immigration at Universities UK, said several academics had scotched plans to move to the UK, or sought to shorten their stay, after learning the full extent of costs related to visas and health surcharges. Total visas fees for a researcher, their partner and two children applying for a five-year visa via the Skilled Worker route are almost £16,000, which must be paid up front, UUK has calculated.
