Aha touche! You got me there :-) Kind of... lol

The difference with a Visa app, is that it is an official document pertaining to immigration, and as such all countries charge for those.

As far as I'm aware in the UK there is no comparable example whereby you have to pay to apply for something within the private or even public sector. If you apply for a job, grant, loan, university it is all free, any fees you may incur come after your successful application.

I look forward to you proving me wrong again though! :-)

Cg