UK immigration fee increases require recruitment budget adjustments

The change affects a wide range of visa categories, settlement applications, and other immigration-related services, impacting both individuals and businesses.

Shara Pledger, immigration law expert at Pinsent Masons, was commenting following the changes announced on 19 March. The amendments, the first increases to a number of charges in some time, will come into effect from 9 April.

The increases include a 10% rise to visitor charges. The fee for a short-term visit visa, valid for up to six months, will rise from £115 to £127, with long-term visit visas also set for a substantial hike. The fee for a two-year visa will increase from £432 to £475, a five-year visa from £772 to £848, and a ten-year visa from £963 to £1059.

The changes will also see a 7% spike to fees for workers applications and sponsorship. For example, this means that an in-country application will increase from £827 to £885 from next month. Certificates of Sponsorship for workers are to rise to £525, and there will be an increase to £16 for Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Other visa categories affected include the private medical treatment visa, which will see its fee increase from £200 to £220, and transit visas, with direct airside transit visas rising from £35 to £39. Additionally, the fee for a visa to join a ship or aircraft as a crew member will increase from £64 to £70.

The fee increases extend to work-related visas as well. The Innovator Founder visa fee will rise from £1,191 to £1,274, while the endorsement fee under the Innovator Founder route remains unchanged at £1,000. The fee for the Start-up visa will increase from £435 to £465.

Global Talent visa fees will also see changes, with the fee for the main applicant requiring an approval letter increasing from £192 to £205, and the fee for those not requiring an approval letter rising from £716 to £766. Dependants under the Global Talent route will also see their fees increase from £716 to £766.

The fee adjustments come as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to manage immigration and ensure that the costs associated with processing applications are adequately covered.

A full breakdown of the new fees and the value of the increases can be viewed on the UK government website.