The cost of moving to, working in, or becoming a citizen of the United Kingdom is about to increase, and potentially by a significant margin. If you’re an employer sponsoring overseas talent or an individual planning to secure British citizenship, these changes are something you can’t afford to ignore.
The Home Office has announced its intention to increase several key immigration fees, including the cost of Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs), Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for work visas, and naturalisation applications. While the exact implementation date remains unclear, the revised fees are expected to come into effect by Spring 2025.
What is Changing?
The planned fee increases are notable not only for their scale but also for the areas they target. Some of the steepest hikes include:
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Rising from £10 to £16 – a 60% increase.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Skilled Worker & Long-Term Work Visas: Increasing from £239 to £525, more than doubling at a 120% rise.
- CoS – Temporary Worker Visas: Jumping from £25 to £55, another 120% increase.
- Naturalisation as a British citizen: Rising from £1,500 to £1,650, a 10% increase.
- Naturalisation as a British Overseas Territories Citizen: Increasing from £810 to £1,070, a 32% rise.
Additionally, there are plans to raise fees for nationality-related services, such as renouncing British citizenship, amending a citizenship certificate, and obtaining proof of the right of abode in the UK.
What This Means for Businesses
For UK businesses that rely on international talent, this is not just another bureaucratic update; it’s a financial and operational challenge. The dramatic increase in the cost of a CoS means that hiring skilled workers from abroad will become significantly more expensive.
A crucial point for employers to note is that under recent updates to sponsorship guidance, businesses are prohibited from passing CoS costs onto the sponsored worker. This means companies must absorb these additional costs themselves, making strategic workforce planning and budget adjustments even more critical.
What this Means for Individuals
For prospective British citizens and travellers, the message is clear: expect to pay more. If you are eligible for naturalisation, now might be the time to act before costs rise. Similarly, those planning to visit the UK under the new ETA scheme should be aware of the 60% price increase. While an extra £6 per ETA may not seem like much, frequent travellers, particularly, those from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan, where the ETA scheme is first being rolled out, could find the cumulative costs adding up.
When will these Changes Take Effect?
The Government has laid out a two-step legislative process to implement these changes. First, Parliament will need to approve the new maximum fee limits. While debates could delay this stage, history suggests that objections are unlikely to alter the final amounts significantly.
Once the maximum fees are set, the Home Office will swiftly move to formalise the changes through regulations. Given the urgency often associated with immigration policy adjustments, this second stage could proceed rapidly, meaning businesses and individuals may have little notice before the new fees take effect.
What Should You Do Now?
For businesses, now is the time to factor these increases into hiring budgets and recruitment plans. If you’re considering sponsoring an international employee, acting sooner rather than later could save you money.
For individuals, whether you’re applying for naturalisation, an ETA, or any other immigration-related service, preparing ahead could help you avoid higher fees. While it’s impossible to predict the exact timeline, Spring 2025 isn’t far away, and with immigration fees only going up, early applications may be a prudent choice.
Final Thoughts
While the rationale behind these increases is yet to be fully explained, this hike highlights the ongoing financial burden associated with the UK’s immigration system. As we wait for further details, one thing is certain: for those affected, planning ahead is no longer optional, it is essential.
Get in touch: For a comprehensive understanding of your options or queries on UK immigration matters, contact GigaLegal Solicitors at 02074067654 or click here to book a no-obligation consultation with an immigration expert.