Businesses and migrant communities have been rocked by the UK government’s announcement that it will raise immigration fees for important services like sponsorship, naturalization, and visas. The proposed changes, which will be presented to Parliament on January 16, 2025, could have a significant impact on employers, international talent, and the UK’s ability to compete globally.
Read Also: The UK Changes Its Minimum Visa Requirements for Visa Applications (Starting Feb 2025)
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - Apply before 31 January 2025 to get as low as 9.99% interest rate
The UK Proposed Immigration Fee Increases
The government’s plan calls for significant increases in a number of vital immigration and nationality services, including:
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):ย Rising from ยฃ10 to ยฃ16.
- Certificate of Sponsorship:ย Increasing dramatically from ยฃ239 to ยฃ525.
- Naturalization as a British Citizen:ย Going up from ยฃ1,500 to ยฃ1,605.
- Naturalization as a British Overseas Territories Citizen:ย Rising from ยฃ1,000 to ยฃ1,070.
The government’s larger plan to cut taxpayer support for the migration and borders system includes these adjustments. An additional ยฃ269 million in revenue is anticipated per year as a result of the fee increases.
Reducing reliance on taxpayer funding for the migration and borders system is the main reason for the fee rises, according to the UK government. The government hopes to increase money while preserving the integrity of the immigration system by placing a greater financial burden on sponsors and applicants.
Employers and people are encouraged to get ready for the prospect of increased fees in the near future, even if a specific implementation date has not yet been determined.
Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-steps-for-a-more-efficient-immigration-system.
