The cost of migrating to work in the UK is set to rise once more in April as the government looks to find money to improve its border controls.
The Home Office has launched a consultation on visa fees to help fund the doubling of its immigration enforcement budget by 2010.
Visa prices soared last year, with the cost of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme rising from £150 to more than £300.
Now the cost of coming to the UK to work looks almost certain to go up even further as the government cracks down on immigration that critics say has spiralled out of control.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said: “The consultation is about how immigration services are paid for, and the most appropriate way to charge.
“In July, the Home Secretary announced how we will strengthen border controls with identity technology, and double enforcement in the UK.
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“These measures cost money and we think it is right to consider who will pay for them.
“The government is committed to ensuring that only those people with the skills the UK needs come to this country.”
