Further increases to Home Office services have been confirmed by the Government.
These increases follow the wide-ranging uplifts that took effect in October 2023, as well as the more recent increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge and the uplift in the minimum salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas.
Increased UK visa & immigration fees from 10 April 2024
Under the Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, the fees for visa, nationality and passport applications will rise over the coming months. The changes are as follows:
- Skilled Worker visa and Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Workers) visa in-country application with Certificate of sponsorship assigned for more than three years to increase: to £1,636
- British citizenship ceremony fee increase: from from £80 to £130
- Fee to review a refusal decision for British registration or naturalisation: from £372 to £450
- Fee for an application for a letter confirming nationality status rising: from £250 to £429
- Two year multiple-entry visit visas will increase from: £400 to £432 (separate fees applicable to Chinese visa scheme)
Applications under Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) may now be eligible for a fee waiver, if certain criteria are met, such as proof that the applicant is unable to afford the application fee.
British passport fee increase from 11 April 2024
The fee for a British passport is increasing from 11 April 2024 to £88.50, up from £82.50, and from 1 July 2024, the Border Force fast track service fees will increase to £10.
Leave to remain unspecified elsewhere from 24 July 2024
From 24 July 2024, a 20% fee increase from £1,048 to £1,258 will apply to the application fee for those applying for leave to remain where the fee is not specified elsewhere in the Regulations. This would apply to applications such as Appendix FM extensions as partners and parents.
From 10 September 2024, there will be fees introduced to cover a new Sponsor a Worker scheme. The fee for approving a sponsor under this new scheme will be £239 (subject to certain exceptions).
Innovator Founder visa
In addition to the increases in April, a new £500 fee is being introduced with immediate effect for most Innovator Founder applicants, which will be payable for each ‘contact point’ meeting between the visa applicant/holder and their endorsing body. There had previously been no charge for the meetings.
Limited exemptions may apply, including individuals with limited leave to remain under Appendix Innovator, Appendix Innovator Founder or Appendix Start up.
Need assistance?
If you have a question about the new fees, or to discuss your UK Home Office application, contact our immigration specialists.
Last updated: 29 March 2024
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
