20 Mar 2009

Extra fee for UK work, study visas

3:19 pm on 20 March 2009

New Zealanders moving to Britain to work or study will have to pay $130 extra for visas, as part of attempts there to help areas struggling to cope with immigration.

People from outside the European Union will pay the extra visa cost for the two-year scheme.

Communities Minister Hazel Blears says it will help fund more police support and translators for areas which have seen a big influx of immigrants in short periods of time.

Many councils have warned of the strain new arrivals have put on services.

The Institute of Public Policy Research says the tax on New Zealanders is unfair.

Policy anyalst Jill Rutter says most New Zealanders in Britain do not use public health and translation services.