The British High Commission yesterday announced that the cost of visas to the United Kingdom will be increased effective April 1 this year. "The new fees will maintain the UK's competitiveness as a destination for travel, study, trade, migration and investment," the high commission said in a news release. "UKvisas commissioned extensive consultation, customer research in the UK and overseas, and econometric research to understand better price sensitivity across our customer base." The high commission also said that UKvisas - the joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office unit which runs the UK's visa service through British diplomatic posts overseas - is committed to providing a modern, effective visa service which not only protects the UK but also delivers a world-class service to customers they wish to attract in a competitive international environment. Reprinted from jamaicaobserver.com