We Belong

@webelonguk.bsky.social

63 Followers 25 Following

We're young migrants and proud to call the UK home. We're campaigning to get out of the Home Office loop and on with our lives. #OutOfTheLoop #OnWithOurLives Get Involved and all our links here: https://linktr.ee/webelong19

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We're seeing an unprecedented rise in far right and anti-migrant rhetoric directly impacting young migrants, people of colour, refugees and asylum seekers. What we have seen before, mostly in mainstream and social media for years, has now manifested itself as hateful actions and organised movements in our streets and communities.

As young people who call the UK home, we do not fear the England flags but are concerned with the negative sentiment and intentions behind them. Negative sentiments, rooted in racism and misinformation, and fuelled by a hostile environment, which has been sustained under the leadership of many successive governments.

We do not want to live in fear when walking past our community centres, schools and bus stops. We deserve to feel safe and heard in the communities and neighbourhoods we grew up in, and by the institutions and governments we represent. Because Britain is our home, we are not going anywhere. We are here to stay, because we belong here.

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Seeing everything happening around us can be frightening and overwhelming. We want you to know that you belong, and we are here to offer any support you may need.

If you could use some assistance, please reach out to us at info@webelong.org.uk, and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

A large group of young people posing for a group photo in a hall. Some people are standing, and some are crouching in the front. Colorful banners are strung across the ceiling in the background.

Thank you to the 27 MPs who have shown their support.

please contact our Legal Advice Clinic to find out how we can assist you. Our clinic is a valuable resource for young people aged 16 to 25, offering free legal advice from an experienced and trusted solicitor from Coram.

Legal Advice Clinic Dates for this month:
Wednesday 9th April
Thursday 10th April (Remote)
Wednesday 16th April
Thursday 17th April (Remote)
Wednesday 23rd April
Thursday 24th April (Remote)

A Breakdown of the Home Office
fees from the 9th of April onwards
As of 9th April, the new cost for a Limited leave to remain application (30 month application for over 18s) will be:

Visa Application: Increased from £1,258 to £1,321*
Immigration Health Surcharge: £2,587.5 (£1,035x 2.5 years)
Biometric enrolment fee: £19.20
Total application cost: £3927.7

For under 18s:
Visa applications: Increased from £1,258 to £1,321*
Immigration health surcharge: £1940 (£776 x 2.5 years)
Biometric enrolment fee: £19.20
Total application cost: £3280.2

As of the 9th April 2025, the new total Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) application cost will be:

Visa application cost: Increased from £2,885 to £3,029
Life in the UK test: £50
English Language test: £150
Total application cost: £3229

*The increase in costs only applies to the visa application fees. The Immigration Health Surcharge and Biometric enrolment fee have not been announced to increase.

We Belong's Response to the Home Office Fee Increase:

On 19th March, the Labour Government announced an increase in visa application fees, including those for limited leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain which will take effect on 9th April 2025.

This news comes as a shock, especially following last year’s huge 66% rise in the immigration Health Surcharge fee and a 20% increase in visa application fees which was imposed during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

We Belong has repeatedly raised concerns with both the former government and the current Labour government about the devastating impact of these excessive fees, particularly for young migrants and families already struggling to afford their status. Despite this, our concerns have once again been ignored and sidelined.

This latest policy change will push young people and families into deeper financial hardship and extreme poverty. For many, these increased costs will mean being priced out of the immigration system entirely, leaving them vulnerable to destitution and uncertainty in the country they call home.

We urge the government to reconsider this harmful decision and conduct a full review of the impact of current visa fees on young migrants and families before implementing any increases.

We will reiterate this message, no one should be pushed into poverty simply for trying to access the status they are rightfully entitled to.

Legal advice session dates for this month:
Thursday 13th March (remote)
Wednesday 19th March (in person)
Thursday 20th March (remote)
Wednesday 26th March (in person)

You can register to attend here: https://www.webelong.org.uk/get-help/we-belongs-legal-advice-clinic or by visiting our website and clicking on our 'Get Help' page! 🙌
Questions? info@webelong.org.uk ✉️

Home Office extends eVisa ‘grace period’ until new deadline on 1 June 2025. Don't wait until the new deadline! If you're yet to register or are having issues, please reach out to us at info@webelong.org.uk to sign up for our Legal Advice Clinic.