The much anticipated UK Immigration fee increases are due to come into effect from 9 am on 4 October 2023, according to the Fees Regulations laid before parliament and subsequent Home Office press release.
You can find a table confirming the full list of fee changes coming into force on 4 October here. Some of the most significant changes are:
- A 15% increase to fees on visit routes (except for visit visas for up to 2 years in duration)
- 15% increase in fees for most work routes;
- Skilled Worker certificate of sponsorship fee increasing from £199 to £239
- 35% increase in fees for student entry clearance applicants
- 20% increase in fees for entry clearance, Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship applications;
- Indefinite Leave to Remain application fee increasing from £2,404 to £2,885
- British citizenship application fee increasing from £1,250 to £1,500 (registration as a British citizen incurs different fee, increasing by roughly £200 as well)
- Priority and Super Priority services both in and outside the UK (for all visa categories) to be set to £500 and £1,000 respectively
Changes to the Immigration Health Surcharge are also now reported to be coming into effect later in the autumn. The government are about to go into a four-week recess, so we may have to wait a little longer for confirmation of when this change will take effect.
Depending on eligibility sponsors and applicants should start preparing for these increases and where possible, submit applications before these new fees take place. Please also be aware that the increases in application submissions expected over the next few weeks might mean that Home Office decision times are slightly slower than usual.
Please get in touch with your Magrath Sheldrick LLP representative or email us at [email protected] if you have any concerns or questions about the implications of these fee increases.