UK Visa Application Fee Increases Begin October 2023

The UK Home Office announced that immigration and nationality application fee increases will commence on 4 October.

Having announced its intentions to increase the fees for immigration and nationality applications in July, the UK Home Office has now confirmed that these increases will come into force on 4 October 2023. Key changes include the following:

• A 15% increase in fees on visit routes (except for visit visas of two years’ duration, which will increase by 6%)
• A 15% increase in fees on most work routes (including the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes), together with a 20% increase in the cost of issuing Certificate of Sponsorships from £199 to £239
• A 20% increase in fees for wider entry clearance routes (such as partners of British nationals), indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship
• Alignment of Priority and Super Priority processing fees to £500 and £1,000 respectively for all applications made in or outside of the United Kingdom

View a full table of the fee changes.

These changes do not include the increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is reported to take place later in autumn.

Employers should review their upcoming recruitment plans and consider bringing forward application timelines and, where possible, submit applications prior to the introduction of these fees.

Employers should note that Skilled Worker visa applications can be submitted up to three months prior to an individual’s proposed start date.