The UK government has increased visa and sponsorship fees across various categories, including student visas, tourist visas, and indefinite leave to remain
The UK government has implemented fee increases for a range of visa and sponsorship categories, including student visas, tourist visas, and settlement applications.
The changes, effective immediately, will affect both individuals and organisations seeking to sponsor workers and students.
The cost of student visas has seen an increase, with both the standard student and child student visas rising from £490 to £524. For short-term students studying English language, the fee has increased from £200 to £214.
Tourist visa fees have also risen, with the cost of a visit visa for up to six months going from £115 to £127. Longer-term visit visas have experienced larger increases, including the visa for up to two years (now £475, up from £432), the visa for up to five years (£848, previously £771), and the ten-year visit visa, which now costs £1,059, up from £963. Additionally, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee has been raised from £10 to £16.
Several fees related to settlement and naturalisation processes have also been revised. The fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain has risen from £2,885 to £3,029, while the cost of naturalisation (British citizenship) has increased from £1,500 to £1,605.
Other naturalisation and nationality registration fees for British overseas territory citizens, British overseas citizens, British subjects, and British protected persons have similarly risen.
For those sponsoring workers and students, sponsorship fees have also seen increases. A large worker sponsor licence now costs £1,579, up from £1,476, while a small sponsor licence or temporary worker sponsor licence has increased to £574 from £536.
Additionally, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees for Skilled Worker & GBM Senior or Specialist Worker categories have seen a significant rise, from £239 to £525.
The fee for a Temporary Worker CoS has increased from £25 to £55. Similarly, the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) fee for students and child students has gone up from £25 to £55.
These increases are likely to impact both individual applicants and businesses seeking to sponsor students and workers. While the government has not provided a specific explanation for the fee hikes, the changes reflect a broader trend of rising costs associated with immigration and visa processes.
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