Priti Patel considers making European workers pay full price for visa

Priti Patel is considering withdrawing the UK from part of the European Social Charter that gives citizens of 26 countries a discount on visa application fees
Priti Patel is considering withdrawing the UK from part of the European Social Charter that gives citizens of 26 countries a discount on visa application fees
VICTORIA JONES/PA

Citizens of many European countries could lose the discount on their visa fee under Home Office plans.

Priti Patel is considering withdrawing the UK from part of the European Social Charter that gives citizens of 26 countries a £55 discount on application fees for most worker visas.

The workers who receive discounts include those in the healthcare and charity sectors, entrepreneurs and seasonal workers such as fruit pickers.

In addition employers are exempt from a £199 fee usually paid as part of their sponsorship of foreign workers.

Signatories to the Council of Europe’s Social Charter of 1961 are mostly, but not exclusively, EU member states. Non-EU signatories include Turkey and North Macedonia. The Council of Europe was created after the war and is distinct from