Since the UK left the EU, skilled workers from the European community have had to pay for visa applications and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). At the time of writing this post, the fee for a visa application for up to 3 years is £625 (Tier 2, Skilled Worker visa) per application and IHS £624 per year. A few weeks ago, it was announced that the fee for IHS would increase by 66% to £1,035 per year. A typical post-doc lasts 2-3 years, which gives us £1873 - £2497 (£2695 - £3730 after a rise) in total + additional costs (e.g.: English language certification costs).
I would like to discuss two questions regarding this topic: one very practical and one about the future.
1) If you are in your current post-doc position in the UK or will start it, did you have any support from the university considering the visa costs? In your case, was the provision of a loan, coverage from a research grant, or other forms of cost compensation considered?
2) Considering these costs and the limited capability of hiring overseas researchers, How do you see the future of the science sector in the UK, especially in the universities, for the next years? Is it a real problem, or will the rate of specialists willing to work in that country remain at a similar level (due to non-financial reasons, i.e.: the prestige of the universities)? Do you see any changes now, a few years after Brexit?
I'll be appreciated for every comment.