From 9 April 2025, UK immigration and nationality fees are due to increase, affecting a wide range of visa categories. These changes will place a heavier financial burden on those navigating the UK’s immigration system.
UK Visitor Visa Fees (April 2025 Update)
Significant increases apply across all visit visa types:
- Short-term visit (up to 6 months): £115 → £127
- Long-term visit (up to 2 years): £432 → £475
- Long-term visit (up to 5 years): £771 → £848
- Long-term visit (up to 10 years): £963 → £1,059
UK Work and Study Visa Fees
New charges are expected for major work and study visa routes:
- Skilled Worker Visa & Innovator Founder Visa: Increase of up to £99
- Health and Care Worker Visa: Will rise, but still remains lower to encourage critical sector applicants
UK Settlement and Citizenship Applications
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): £2,885 → £3,029
- Naturalisation (British citizenship): Estimated increase of 7% (exact figure pending)
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Fee Rise
From 2 April 2025, the ETA fee increased:
- ETA for visa-free countries (e.g. US, Canada, EU): £10 → £16
Sponsor Licence Fee Changes (April 2025)
- Small sponsors: £536 → £574
- Large sponsors: £1,476 → £1,579
British Passport Fee Increases from 10 April 2025
The Home Office will also raise passport application fees:
- Standard online application (UK): Adults £88.50 → £94.50 | Children £57.50 → £61.50
- Postal application (UK): Adults £100 → £107 | Children £69 → £74
- Premium Service (UK, 1-day): Adults £207.50 → £222 | Children £176.50 → £189
- Online applications from overseas: Adults £101 → £108 | Children £65.50 → £70
- Paper applications overseas: Adults £112.50 → £120.50 | Children £77 → £82.50
What Should Applicants Do?
The Home Office increases fees from time to time to cover processing and other costs. These increased fees may make it more challenging for individuals and families to relocate, and for businesses to hire and relocate staff from overseas, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing skill shortages and economic uncertainty highlighted by market volatility.
Need help understanding how the changes impact your immigration plans?
Contact our immigration solicitors for tailored advice and application support.
The content on our site is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to legal or professional advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, condition, undertaking or term either expressed or implied as to the condition, quality, performance, accuracy, fitness for purpose, completeness or freedom from viruses of the content contained on this site, including graphics, texts or otherwise or that any content on the site will be accurate, up-to-date, uninterrupted, complete, or error free.