Despite being a Commonwealth citizen in the British Armed Forces, veterans must pay ￡2,389 per person for a Visa to stay in the UK. This applies to certain regiments such as the Gurkhas, who would be forced to pay ￡10,000 for an average family to remain in the UK under current guidelines. Due to this outrageous amount a petition has been launched to scrap the ￡2,389 fee.

       At the time of writing, 47,585 have signed the petition to allow veterans of the British Army to stay in the UK without paying a charge.

       Commenting on the petition, Ronald De Freitas claimed it was "unfair" to charge former servicemen and women for choosing to remain in the UK.

       He said: "I'm a commonwealth soldier, currently serving.

       "I've dedicated the past 11 years of my career to Queen and Country and I believe it's very unfair to have to pay that amount of money."

       Christopher Pittman added: "They should be allowed to stay for free!

       "They served our country with distinction!"

       Thomas McCarron added: "If they can serve this country then we should return the favour."

       Former minister, Johnny Mercer, has campaigned to scrap the fee for families.

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       Mr Mercer, who was relieved of his role as parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence people and veterans earlier this year, has tried to force the Government into scrapping the Visa.

       Other MPs such as Tobias Ellwood, chair of the defence committee, and former leader Iain Duncan Smith had also pledged their support for Mr Mercer's campaign.

       He said earlier this month: "I understand that all parties across the House will vote to end charging thousands of pounds to foreign and Commonwealth service personnel to stay in the UK after their service, except the Conservatives.

       “I will do all I can to change this in the next 24 hours."

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       Mr Mercer had put forward an amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill earlier this month.

       The amendment called for the cancellation of fees for veterans who have served in the military for five years.

       However, MPs voted 296 to 251 against the amendment.

       South Yorkshire mayor Dan Jarvis and MP for Barnsley Central, said it was shameful that Armed Forces veterans are made to pay such high fees.

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       Mr Jarvis said: “It’s utterly shameful that members of our Armed Forces are made to pay thousands of pounds to make a home in the country they risked their lives for.

       “This was a chance for MPs to right a historic wrong.

       "Instead, the Government have shown a complete disregard for our foreign and Commonwealth-born servicemen and women.