UK Visa and Sponsorship Fee Increases from 9 April 2025: What You Need to Know

On 19 March 2025, the UK Home Office announced a wide range of visa and sponsorship fee increases, effective from 9 April. These changes impact almost everyone in the immigration system, including Skilled Worker visa applicants, sponsors, and those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship.

Some fee increases are minor (as little as £8.50), while others are substantial—adding hundreds of pounds to already high costs.

Below, we’ve summarised the most important changes.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee – Significant Increase

For the following visa types: Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker, Minister of Religion, and International Sportsperson (over 12 months)

• Previous fee: £239
• New fee: £525
• Increase: £286

This is the most significant increase and will hit sponsoring employers particularly hard.

Skilled Worker Visa Application Fees

Outside the UK

• Up to 3 years: £719 → £769
• Up to 5 years: £1,420 → £1,519

Inside the UK

• Up to 3 years: £827 → £885
• Up to 5 years: £1,636 → £1,751

Immigration Salary List roles (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) will also see increases of between £39 and £76 depending on visa length.

Sponsor Licence Application Fee

For medium or large sponsors:

• Previous fee: £1,476
• New fee: £1,579
• Increase: £103

Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement)

• Previous fee: £2,885
• New fee: £3,029
• Increase: £144

Naturalisation (British Citizenship)

• Previous fee: £1,500
• New fee: £1,605
• Increase: £105

Visitor Visa Fees

• Visit visa – up to 6 months: £115 → £127 (increase of £12)
• Visit visa – up to 2 years: £432 → £475 (increase of £43)
• Visit visa – up to 5 years: £771 → £848 (increase of £77)
• Visit visa – up to 10 years: £963 → £1,059 (increase of £96)

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• Current fee: £10
• New fee from 9 April: £16
• Increase: £6

While the increase to the ETA may seem modest, it still represents a 60% rise and will affect many non-visa nationals visiting the UK.

What This Means for Employers and Individuals

These increases will result in higher costs for businesses sponsoring overseas workers and increases the financial burden for individuals applying to visit, settle, or naturalise in the UK

Employers should ensure they:

• Factor these updated fees into recruitment budgets.
• Review sponsorship processes to ensure compliance and where possible bring forward issuing CoS and supporting visa applications to avoid the increases.
• Consider the broader tightening of immigration rules and enforcement.

Final Thoughts

With these fee increases and wider policy changes, it's becoming more expensive and more complex to sponsor talent or travel to the UK for work, visits, or settlement. Whether you're an employer navigating sponsorship requirement or an individual preparing to apply for a UK visa, it’s important to stay informed and plan accordingly.

If you need guidance on how these changes affect your plans—or how to build a compliant, future-proof immigration strategy—we’re here to help.