The UK Home Office has announced a rise in immigration costs, and it will go into effect on April 9, 2025. Visit visas, settlement applications, and specific purpose visas are among the visa categories that will be affected by the revisions.

Changes will also be made to employer sponsorship and naturalization expenses. Before the start of a new fiscal year, the government periodically revises the cost of visas.

This surge comes after work visa restrictions have been criticized, especially the ambiguity surrounding the "skilled worker" route, which has increased asylum petitions.

Higher Costs for Visit and Specific Purpose Visas

The cost of visit visas will increase across all durations. A two-year visa will rise by £43 to £475, and a short-term visit visa (up to six months) would rise from £115 to £127. Additionally, longer-term alternatives will cost more; a 5-year visa will cost £77 to £848, and a 10-year visa will cost £96 to £1,059.

The cost of visas for specific purposes will also increase. The cost of private medical treatment visas (6–11 months) and visiting academics (6–12 months) will increase by £20, totaling £220.

With the direct airside transit visa going from £35 to £39 and the landside transit visa going from £64 to £70, transit visas will see a minor increase. Additionally, crew members on ships and airplanes will now pay £70 rather than £64.

Higher Fees for Settlement and ILR Applications

The cost of a settlement visa will also go up. The total will be £1,938 after a £92 increase in the primary settlement route. At £3,413, the other dependent relative category will increase by £163. The new charge, which is £424, will also increase by £20 for refugees' dependents.

Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be significantly increased. Dependents of service leavers from HM Armed Forces will now pay £3,029, an increase of £144.

Both victims of domestic violence seeking settlement and service leavers from HM Armed Forces themselves are subject to the same increase.

Other Visa Categories and Additional Services

There will be a £589 increase in the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. There will also be changes for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa applicants. The price of a 30-month visa will now be £193 instead of £180, and the price of a 5-year visa will rise from £250 to £268.

The cost of the Transfer of Conditions application and the single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are still £154 and £154, respectively. However, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) would go up significantly from £10 to £16.

The Home Office has not yet issued a public statement regarding these developments. However, the department's yearly policy changes routinely include fee updates.

FAQS

Will the UK government grant some applicants special treatment or discounts?

The Home Office has announced no new exemptions or discounts. Existing fee waivers for particular groups, such as vulnerable people and asylum seekers, might still apply.

Will these fee increases impact asylum seekers' applications for settlement?

The visa cost will increase for refugee dependents applying for settlement, even though asylum seekers normally do not have to pay an application fee.