Mohamed Jama, a British citizen living in north London, has criticized the Home Office for failing to refund the visa fees he paid for his wife, Ubah Abdi Mohamed, after she passed away before coming to the UK. Ubah, originally from Kenya, was granted a spouse visa to join Mohamed, but she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in March 2024. Despite initial positive signs from her treatment in India, she died unexpectedly on June 11, just two days after the visa was approved. Mohamed’s lawyer then asked the Home Office if the £3,105 immigration health surcharge, which is part of the visa fees, could be refunded. However, the Home Office responded with a standard letter, stating that there are no exceptions to their no-refund policy for the immigration health surcharge upon the applicant’s death. This policy comes despite the fact that Ubah never used NHS services, as she passed away in India. Mohamed, deeply mourning his wife, argues that the policy is cruel and unconscionable, hoping his case will bring about a change in the future. Legal experts also criticize the Home Office’s inflexibility, calling for a reconsideration of their stance on such situations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/30/man-criticises-home-office-for-keeping-visa-fee-of-wife-who-died-before-reaching-uk
