UK visa fees to rise
from 4 October 2023
21 September 2023
Significant increases to immigration and nationality fees are set to come into effect at 9am on 4 October 2023, following legislation laid in Parliament this week.
The new Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 makes many changes to Home Office fees, including a 15% increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, and an increase of at least 20% in the cost of priority visas, study visas and Certificates of Sponsorship.
These changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which will be introduced at a later date, yet to be confirmed. The IHS is set to increase by 66% to £1,035 a year. The legal process for this takes longer and may not be completed until 2024.
Full details of the new fees can be accessed here.
Why are immigration and visa fees rising?
People who want a visa, permission to stay or citizenship in the UK usually have to pay for it. Fees have risen significantly over the past 20 years. Until 2003, the UK charged nothing at all for visa extensions, work permits and settlement. Fees for initial visas and citizenship were relatively modest. For example, a student visa cost £33.
Today, visa application fees are much higher and the government has introduced additional costs for some migrants and sponsors, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC).
The further increases being introduced in October have been strongly opposed by many migrants and businesses who say that fees are already too high. Total upfront immigration costs in the UK are higher than those in many other countries, including Canada, Germany, France and the USA, according to a 2021 report published by the Royal Society.
The UK government deliberately charges above the cost of processing applications to help fund the wider borders and immigration system. However, the latest fee increases are being introduced to allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises.
Work visas
Visa application fees on work routes are increasing by 15%. In some cases, a proportionally lower fee increase is being made to ensure that the new fee is within the bounds of fee maxima that were in force at the time the increases were agreed.
For example, a three-year Skilled Worker visa will cost £719 for overseas applicants or £827 for in-country applicants, an increase of 15% in both cases. For Skilled Worker applications where a CoS has been issued for over three years, it will cost £1,420 for overseas applicants (+15%) or £1,500 for in-country applicants (+5%).
Fees for other sponsored work visas, including all categories under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route and the Scale-up route will also rise by 15%.
Study and post-study visas
The fee for applying for a Student or a Child Student visa from outside the UK will increase from £363 to £490 (+35%), to equal the amount charged for in-country applications.
The fee to apply for a Graduate visa will rise from £715 to £822, representing a cost increase of 15%.
Visit visas
Fees for most visit visas are also increasing by 15%. From 4 October 2023, a Standard Visitor visa for those visiting the UK for up to six months will cost £115, up from the current £100. Fees for 2, 5 and 10-year visit visas will also increase, to £400, £771 and £963 respectively.
No changes are being made to the fees for transit visas.
Sponsorship fees
The changes will introduce a 19-20% increase to fees charged for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) and Confirmations of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), which have not previously been increased since 2016. The new fees are as follows:
- CoS allocation fees
- Worker routes: £239 (up from £199)
- Temporary Worker routes: £25 (up from £21)
- CAS allocation fee: £25 (up from £21).
No changes are being made at this stage to the sponsor licence application fees, the sponsor priority services or to the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC).
Nationality and settlement fees
Changes are also being made to the application fees for settlement and citizenship, with the new fees as follows:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – main applicants and dependants: £2,885 (+20%)
- Naturalisation (British citizenship) – £1,500 (+20%)
Priority services
Fees charged for Priority Visa and Super Priority Visa services are also being equalised for customers applying in and out of country. From 4 October, the fees for each service will be as follows:
- Priority service – £500
- Super Priority service – £1,000.
Advice for applicants
If you are looking to apply for a UK visa this autumn, it may cost more than you were expecting.
Where possible, we recommend preparing and submitting your application ahead of the rise on 4 October if you want to benefit from the current lower fees.
Smith Stone Walters can assist with preparing and submitting the visa application on your behalf, as well as providing practical support with the sponsorship process for employers. To find out more about our UK immigration services, please contact us today.
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