The United Kingdom (UK) earned an estimated 9.2 million pounds in non-refundable visa application fees from Pakistani visa applications.
The embassies later rejected the visitor visa requests of Pakistani citizens.
This dual standard of the UK is a question mark and has raised many questions that need to be answered.
Overall, the UK rejected more than 585,000 visitor visa applications worldwide during the same period. With the standard visitor visa application fee set at 127 pounds, the total amount retained from unsuccessful applications is estimated at approximately 74 million pounds.
Pakistani applicants accounted for more than 72,000 of those refusals. Based on the current application fee, unsuccessful applicants from Pakistan paid an estimated 9.2 million pounds (more than PKR 3 billion) in non-refundable fees despite not receiving visas.
Visitor visa application fees are generally non-refundable, regardless of whether an application is approved or refused, as the fee covers the cost of processing and assessing the application.
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Japan proposes five-year skilled worker visa
Japan has proposed a new five-year stay for foreign workers under its Type 2 Specified Skilled Worker visa.
The proposal was announced by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency. It has also released a draft ministerial ordinance for public feedback.
The government plans to introduce the new system in early January next year after completing the required legal process.
At present, holders of the Type 2 Specified Skilled Worker visa are granted permission to stay in Japan for six months, one year, two years or up to three years. This depends on their job and other conditions.
To receive a longer visa, workers have to meet several requirements. These include continued employment, a good work record, timely tax payments and other legal conditions.
Under the proposed rules, eligible workers will be able to receive a five-year visa for the first time.
The Japanese government said that the final conditions and application process are still being prepared. More details will be announced later.
The proposal could also help foreign workers who want to apply for permanent residency in Japan.
Current rules require applicants to hold the longest available visa under their visa category. A five-year visa could remove this hurdle for many.
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