Though it has long been expected, a date has now been set when immigration fees across several categories of visas and sponsorships are set to increase.
These changes mean higher costs for businesses currently sponsoring workers, and those considering sponsorship.
Not only is the application fee for skilled worker visa’s rising, but also the associated costs on the Sponsor Management System (SMS). Most notably, to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), the fee has more than doubled from £239 to £525.
Below we outline the key changes that are sure to affect a number of work, visit, student and family applicants:
|
Visa |
Current fee |
New fee from 9 April 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | ||
| 3 years or less | £719 | £769 |
| over 3 years | £1,420 | £1,519 |
| 3 years or less - job on the Immigration Salary List | £551 | £590 |
| over 3 years - job on the Immigration Salary List | £1,084 | £1,160 |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | ||
| 3 years or less | £284 | £304 |
| over 3 years | £551 | £590 |
| Other Work Visas | ||
| Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM) (up to 3 years) | £719 | £769 |
| Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM) (more than 3 years) | £1,420 | £1,519 |
| Graduate Trainee (GBM) | £298 | £319 |
| UK Expansion Worker (GBM) | £298 | £319 |
| Student Visas | ||
| Student | £490 | £524 |
| Child Student | £490 | £524 |
| Visitor Visas and ETA | ||
| Visit visa (up to 6 months) | £115 | £127 |
| Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) | £10 | £16 |
| Settlement and Naturalisation | ||
| Leave to Remain | £1,258 | £1,321 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain | £2,885 | £3,029 |
| Naturalisation (excluding ceremony fee) | £1,500 | £1,605 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen (adult) | £1,351 | £1,446 |
| Sponsor Management System Fees | ||
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 | £1,579 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 | £574 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee | £239 | £525 |
Note that priority services remain unchanged at the moment. Applicants are encouraged to get their applications submitted prior to 9 April 2025 to avoid paying the greater fee. You should prepare your applications accordingly. The full list of changes can be found on www.gov.uk.
Get in touch
Our team of Immigration experts can assist with your application. Call us today to book a free consultation where we can provide you with a fixed fee quotation so you know exactly what the costs will be from the outset. To get in touch contact us on 0808 166 8831 or complete our online enquiry form.
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