UK visa application fees are mandatory charges that applicants must pay when submitting their applications for a UK visa. These fees cover the cost of processing the application by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – the government department responsible for operating the UK immigration system.
On 16 January 2025, the UK government introduced the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025, proposing a series of fee increases which will come into effect on 9th April 2025. The increase is part of the Government’s strategy to reduce the reliance of the UK’s migration system on taxpayer funding. The rise is expected to generate £140 million in additional revenue for UKVI in the next financial year.
The increase will affect several key areas, including visa sponsorship, naturalisation, and the recently introduced Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. Employers, visa applicants, and those applying for British citizenship are advised to review these changes carefully to assess their potential impact on immigration-related costs.
With Home office fees being non-refundable in the event of an application being refused, the stakes are higher than ever. In order to avoid costly rejections, it is essential to ensure that your application is properly prepared and the necessary immigration requirements are met. In this blog, we break down the main upcoming fee increases and their financial impact.
The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025 introduced an increase in fees across several visa categories, sponsorships and citizenship applications. Here is an overview of the key increases:
1. For employers sponsoring workers
Employers who rely on overseas talent through the Skilled Worker visa route will be hit particularly hard by the increased fees. The costs of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)- a mandatory electronic document that proves to the Home Office that a licensed UK employer has offered a job to a foreign national, will more than double, rising from £239 to £525, which is a 120% increase. For Temporary Workers and Sub-Routes, the CoS fee will increase from £25 to £55, creating added costs for short-term hires.
Impact on employers
For businesses dependent on international talent, these increases will significantly inflate recruitment costs. The financial burden on employers will become considerable, taking into account other mandatory sponsorship expenses, such as:
- The Sponsor Licence Application Fee (currently £536 for small companies and £1,476 for large companies)
- The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) (£364-£1,000 per year per worker)
- The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (currently at £1,035 per year of sponsorship)
2. For visa applicants and travellers
Visitors and visa applicants will also face higher costs when applying to enter or remain in the UK.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): The maximum fee for this pre-travel authorisation will increase from £10 to £16. This affects visa-exempt nationals who must obtain authorisation before travelling to the UK.
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): The cost of applying for settlement to live in the UK permanently will exceed £3,000 for the first time, rising to £3,029 per person. This applies to applicants, their spouses, and dependent children, making it increasingly costly for families to settle in the UK.
- Work and Study Visas: Most visa application fees will increase by 5-10%, further adding to the financial burden on applicants.
3. For British citizenship applications
For many visa applicants, the main aim is to obtain British Citizenship giving them the right to live in the UK permanently with no restrictions on the time they can be absent. The recent rise in UKVI application fees could significantly affect applicants. The increased costs may create additional financial barriers, especially for families or those applying jointly. The fee will rise from £1,500 to £1,605, making the path to citizenship even more costly.
These rising costs could place UK citizenship out of reach for many individuals and families.
Why these fee increases matter
The UK already has one of the most expensive immigration systems in the world, and these fee rises will further increase the financial pressure on applicants and sponsors. For businesses, the rising sponsorship costs could make it more difficult to attract and retain global talent, particularly in industries reliant on skilled migrant workers. For individuals and families, the higher fees could place citizenship and settlement beyond their financial reach.
The UKVI application fees have always been non-refundable if the application is refused. In such instances, applicants lose thousands of pounds with no option for reimbursement. Given the steep costs, avoiding refusals is more critical than ever. This is why seeking specialist legal advice is critical in order to:
- Maximise your chances of success: Our experienced immigration lawyers meticulously prepare and review your application to minimise the risk of refusals.
- Save time and money: By getting it right the first time, you can avoid costly re-applications and appeals.
- Access tailored advice: We offer bespoke legal strategies to ensure you meet the specific requirements for your visa or citizenship route.
Key takeaways:
- UK immigration and nationality fees will significantly increase on 9th April 2025, making visa applications and sponsorships considerably more expensive.
- Employers sponsoring overseas talent will face a 120% increase in Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees.
- Citizenship and ILR applications will become more costly, with ILR exceeding £3,000 per person.
- Non-refundable fees mean refusals will result in a significant financial loss.
Updated: 24 March 2025
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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