Written question asked by Peter Soulsby (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Entry Clearances: Fees and Charges

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria govern the currency exchange rates used in High Commissions and embassies in relation to fees charged for visas.

Answer: Visa fees are payable in local currency. The principles for conversion are set by the Consular Fee Regulations (1981) which allow for the rate of exchange to be adjusted in the interests of administrative efficiency. This is mainly to avoid frequent changes in fees, and to help in giving change, and is the agreed way of translating fees set in sterling by Parliament into local currency. The consular rate of exchange is based on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's corporate exchange rate, from which it may vary by up to 10 per cent., and it is kept under regular review to ensure that it stays within the required range.

Secondary information