From 9 April 2025, the Home Office immigration fee increases will affect visa applicants, businesses, and sponsors across the UK. Higher UK immigration fees in 2025 will increase the cost of applying for visas, certificates of sponsorship, and settlement. Understanding these changes is critical for individuals and employers preparing future immigration plans.
This article outlines the main fee increases, explains their impact on individuals and businesses, and provides practical guidance on planning accordingly. Created by Cromwell Wilkes, a leading firm of immigration lawyers in London, this guide is designed for visa applicants, sponsors, and business owners seeking clear advice on managing immigration costs in 2025 and beyond.
Key Immigration and Nationality Fee Increases
The immigration fee changes introduced in the UK on 9 April 2025 now impact many applicants. From individuals applying for settlement to businesses sponsoring skilled workers, the updated UK visa costs for April 2025 affect nearly every stage of the immigration process. Planning is now more critical than ever.
Certificate of Sponsorship Fee Doubles for Employers
The Certificate of Sponsorship cost has risen sharply from £239 to £525, significantly increasing the burden on employers. Businesses hiring through the Skilled Worker route now face not only higher salary thresholds but also a higher Skilled Worker visa fee, adding pressure to recruitment budgets. Our team of immigration lawyers in London can advise companies on managing these rising costs while maintaining access to international talent.
Visa Application Fee Increases by Category
Visa costs have risen across multiple routes, affecting workers, families, and students. The Skilled Worker visa fee now stands higher for both short-term and long-term sponsorships, adding direct costs to employment planning. The Indefinite leave to remain fee has climbed to £3,029 per applicant, making settlement more expensive for long-term residents. In education, the student visa UK fee now sits at £524, while even short-term travellers are impacted by the higher ETA fee UK, which has increased by 60%.
ETA and Visitor Visa Costs Rise for Short-Term Travellers
Following the update to UK visa costs for April 2025, short-term visitors now face higher entry costs. The ETA fee in the UK has jumped from £10 to £16, increasing the cost of short trips and business travel. Additionally, the UK visitor visa fee for stays of up to six months has risen to £127, making tourism and family visits to the UK more expensive than before.
Visa Application Fee Increases – April 2025 (Out-of-Country Applications & In-Country Applications)
The following tables summarise the most significant immigration fee changes introduced by the UK on 9 April 2025. Covering both out-of-country and in-country applications, these updates reflect the higher UK visa costs now facing individuals, families, sponsors, and employers across all major visa routes, effective April 2025.
Visa Application Fee Increases – April 2025 (Out-of-Country Applications
| Immigration Category/Item | Fee Before 9 April 2025 | Fee After 9 April 2025 | Fee Increase |
| Certificate of Sponsorship – Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility | £239 | £525 | +£286 |
| Skilled Worker Visa – up to 3 years | £719 | £769 | +£50 |
| Skilled Worker Visa – over 3 years | £1,420 | £1,519 | +£99 |
| Global Business Mobility Visa – up to 3 years | £719 | £769 | +£50 |
| Global Business Mobility Visa – over 3 years | £1,420 | £1,519 | +£99 |
| UK Visit Visa – 6 months | £115 | £127 | +£12 |
| UK Visit Visa – 2 years | £432 | £475 | +£43 |
| UK Visit Visa – 5 years | £771 | £848 | +£77 |
| UK Visit Visa – 10 years | £963 | £1,059 | +£96 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £10 | £16 | +£6 |
| Student Visa | £490 | £524 | +£34 |
Visa Application Fee Increases – April 2025 (In-Country Applications)
| Immigration Category/Item | Fee Before 9 April 2025 | Fee After 9 April 2025 | Fee Increase |
| Certificate of Sponsorship – Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility | £239 | £525 | +£286 |
| Skilled Worker Visa – up to 3 years | £827 | £885 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker Visa – over 3 years | £1,636 | £1,751 | +£115 |
| Global Business Mobility Visa – up to 3 years | £827 | £885 | +£58 |
| Global Business Mobility Visa – over 3 years | £1,636 | £1,751 | +£115 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £2,885 | £3,029 | +£144 |
What These Changes Mean for Employers and Sponsors
The changes in immigration fees in the UK now place greater financial pressure on businesses sponsoring overseas talent. Rising costs for Certificates of Sponsorship and visa applications affect recruitment budgets and long-term workforce planning. Seeking timely UK visa legal advice can help employers protect their talent pipeline and manage these growing expenses.
SMES May Struggle With Sponsorship Costs
The sharp rise in the Certificate of Sponsorship cost places a heavier burden on small and medium-sized enterprises. Coupled with the higher Skilled Worker visa fee, many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMES) now face difficult choices when hiring international staff. Working closely with experienced immigration lawyers in London can help businesses assess options and develop sustainable sponsorship strategies.
Budget Planning Becomes Critical for HR Teams
The UK immigration fees 2025 have introduced higher upfront costs across most visa categories, forcing HR teams to revise their sponsorship budgets. The Home Office immigration fee increases mean that every sponsored hire demands greater financial planning and forecasting. Seeking legal immigration advice in the UK ensures that businesses prepare for these costs without disrupting growth or compliance goals.
What These Fee Increases Mean for Individuals and Families
The rising UK visa costs, effective from April 2025, now impact every stage of the immigration journey, from temporary visas to permanent settlement. Higher charges for applications such as the Indefinite leave to remain fee place additional financial strain on individuals, families, and students planning to live, work, or study in the UK.
ILR and Family Applications Now More Expensive
The Indefinite leave to remain fee has risen to £3,029 per applicant, making permanent settlement a much greater financial commitment. Families applying together now face significantly higher cumulative costs, increasing the pressure on household budgets. Getting timely UK visa legal advice from trusted immigration lawyers in London can help applicants plan properly and avoid unnecessary delays or financial risks.
Higher Student Visa Costs May Affect University Choices
The student visa UK fee has increased to £524, adding to the overall financial burden for international students. The higher UK visa costs in April 2025 may discourage some applicants from choosing the UK as their study destination, especially when other countries offer lower fees. With rising immigration fee changes in the UK, careful financial planning is now essential for prospective students and their families.
How Cromwell Wilkes Can Help
The rising cost of UK immigration places new challenges on individuals, families, and businesses. Working with experienced immigration lawyers in London ensures that every application is approached strategically, with full awareness of the new fees and legal requirements. At Cromwell Wilkes, we provide tailored UK visa legal advice to help clients plan immigration budgets, gather the proper documents, and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you need support with sponsoring workers, applying for settlement, or managing appeal processes, our team offers clear, actionable guidance at every stage. We help you navigate the system confidently, even as immigration fees continue to rise.
Plan Your Immigration Journey with Expert Legal Support
Contact Cromwell Wilkes for legal guidance on navigating the April 2025 immigration fee changes. Make informed decisions before the new costs take effect. Our experienced team of immigration lawyers in London provides clear, practical UK visa legal advice to help you confidently manage your applications, sponsorships, and settlement plans.
Please complete this form with as much information as possible for your consultation. This will enable your appointed Cromwell Wilkes lawyer to provide you with the best service and support. Rest assured that we will prioritise your inquiry, and you should receive a response within 24-48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the 2025 UK immigration fee changes, helping individuals and businesses understand how the updates affect their plans.
How much will ILR cost in April 2025?
The Indefinite leave to remain fee increased to £3,029 per applicant from 9 April 2025. This change affects individuals and families applying for permanent settlement in the UK. Seeking legal advice on a UK visa can help you plan the application process and prepare for higher costs.
Why are UK visa fees rising?
The Home Office immigration fee increases aim to reduce reliance on taxpayer funding for the UK’s immigration system. Higher fees help sustain operational costs and infrastructure without drawing from public budgets. However, the burden of these increases now falls more heavily on visa applicants and sponsoring businesses.
How do the new fees affect sponsor licence holders?
The changes in immigration fees in the UK significantly increase the cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship for sponsor licence holders. This impacts businesses by increasing the upfront expenses of recruiting skilled workers from overseas. Working with immigration lawyers in London helps companies budget effectively and maintain compliance under the updated fee structure.
