Home Office Signals Upcoming Increase in Application Fees: What You Need to Know!

On 16 January 2025, the Home Office released a news announcement and dispatched direct notifications to registered sponsors, highlighting the plan to substantially raise specific UK immigration and nationality-related charges.

Which charges will be impacted?

As per the news announcement, the following charges are slated for an increase:

Increases are also anticipated for nationality-associated services like renouncing citizenship, modifying a citizenship certificate, and issuing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.

When will the revised charges take effect?

The Government aims to implement the new charges by Spring 2025. 

The increase in fees will occur through a two-phase legislative procedure. Initially, new maximum charges will be debated and sanctioned by both Houses of Parliament. The speed of this process will depend on the availability in the parliamentary schedule and whether any opposition to the increases is raised during discussions. Even with objections, this will likely delay the procedure rather than reducing the agreed maximum fee figures proposed by the Government.

Once the maximum charges are confirmed, the second phase will involve the Government presenting regulations in Parliament that detail the specific proposed fee increases. 

The news story suggests that for ETAs and CoS (notably for Worker categories), the goal is to set the charges at the maximum limit. The plans also indicate a desire to establish the fee for naturalisation as a British citizen at the maximum allowable amount. Moreover, the news suggests that the fee for naturalisation as a British Overseas Territories Citizen will be established below the potential maximum.

The second phase of the procedure is likely to be completed much more rapidly than the first, as this stage does not require debate and approval by Parliament. 

It is possible that a variety of immigration and nationality charges may be enhanced during the second phase, not just those identified as needing a new maximum fee amount sanctioned by Parliament.

What measures should businesses and individuals consider?

Although there will not be an immediate effect, businesses should factor in the prospective fee increases when devising their budgets for sponsorship. Skilled Worker sponsors should also be mindful that, due to a recent revision in sponsor guidelines, it is not allowed to transfer the expense of a CoS onto the sponsored worker.

Individuals ought to be aware that the charges for applying for an ETA or naturalisation (and potentially also an immigration application) are likely to soar in the Spring, and they should budget accordingly. 

Need additional assistance?

We will supply further updates as more information is made available. If you have any questions at this stage, please get in touch with a member of our Immigration team.