Question reference: S6W-12161
- Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 16 November 2022
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 November 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding removing the application fee and annual healthcare surcharge for graduate visa applicants in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government strongly opposes the immigration health surcharge (IHS) and believes it should be removed, despite receiving £20.8 million in Barnett consequentials from it in 2018. Increasing the surcharge to £624 in 2018, more than three times the cost, was morally wrong.
The Scottish Government remains deeply concerned that multiple unnecessary immigration charges could make Scotland a less attractive destination for skilled workers and international students and impact student retention rates on the Graduate visa. Scottish Ministers have, and will continue to push the UK Government for an immigration system that meets Scotland’s needs