Revealed: A Hong Kong couple could have to pay as much as £14,000 to become UK citizens under govt's new visa route, @timesradio has found. Not inc costs for any children

Details came yesterday, confirming visa fee payable and immigration health surcharge will be mandatory

2/ We've spoken to immigration lawyer @john_vassiliou1 at @mcgill_co who was first to point out on the @freemovementlaw website the visa fee will likely be similar to the UK Ancestry visa, and that you need to add the mandatory health surcharge, indefinite leave to remain fees..

3/ ...And then registration for citizenship under the British Nationality Act 1981 (if you want to go that far) - the govt has repeatedly suggested the route is intended to be an open door to full citizenship. This doesn't inc the costs of bringing any children, who also pay fees

4/ The govt's policy statement published yesterday says: "BN(O) citizens will need to support themselves
independently while living in the UK... they will need to pay visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge.. if they
apply for citizenship after they become settled, the fee"

5/ A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are giving BN(O) citizens the option to apply for two periods of 30 months’ leave or 5 years’ leave, which will help to manage the cost. The fee for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa and any renewal will be announced in due course.

6/ "The Immigration Health Surcharge will be payable alongside the visa fee. It is right that those coming into the UK contribute to the NHS for the brilliant healthcare they receive via the Immigration Health Surcharge..."

But reapplying at 30 mths means burden of 2 applicatns