UK Home Office Business Immigration Fee increase on 9 April 2025. What Employers and Applicants Need to Know.
Effective 9 April 2025, the Home Office will implement significant increases to immigration and nationality fees, impacting both individuals and employers.
Key Increases Impacting Businesses:
Work-Based Applications Made Outside of the UK:
Innovator Founder:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1,191 to £1274
Start-Up:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £435 to £465
Tier-1 Investor Extension:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1884 to £2000
Tier-1 Entrepreneur Extension:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1191 to £1274
Global Talent:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £716 to £766
Sole Representative of an overseas business:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £719 to £769
Skilled Worker:
For where the applicant already has a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- For an application of 3 years or less (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £719 to £769
- For an application for over 3 years (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £1420 to £1519
- For an application of 3 years or less for a job on the Immigration salary list (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £551 to £590
- For an application for over 3 years for a job on the Immigration salary list (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £1084 to £1160
- For a Health and Care visa application of 3 years or less (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £284 to £304
- For a Health and Care visa application for over 3 years (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £551 to £590
Student:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £490 to £524
Graduate:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £822 to £880
Work-Based Applications Made in the UK:
Innovator Founder:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1486 to £1590
Start-Up:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £589 to £625
Tier-1 Investor Extension:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1884 to £2000
Tier-1 Entrepreneur Extension:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £1486 to £1590
Global Talent:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £716 to £766
Sole Representative of an overseas business:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £827 to £885
Skilled Worker:
For where the applicant already has a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- For an application of 3 years or less (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £827 to £885
- For an application for over 3 years (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £1636 to £1751
- For an application of 3 years or less for a job on the Immigration salary list (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £551 to £590
- For an application for over 3 years for a job on the Immigration salary list (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £1084 to £1160
- For a Health and Care visa application of 3 years or less (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £284 to £304
- For a Health and Care visa application for over 3 years (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £551 to £590
Student:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £490 to £524
Graduate:
- Main applicant and dependants: Raising from £822 to £880
Sponsorship Fees:
Sponsor Licence:
- Worker Sponsor License (Large Sponsor): Raising from £1475 to £1579
- Worker Sponsor Licence (Small Sponsor): Raising from £536 to £574
- Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence: Raising from £536 to £574
- Worker and Temporary Worker Sponsor Licence (Large Sponsor): Raising from £1476 to £1579
Certificate of Sponsorship:
- Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship: Raising from £239 to £525
Indefinite Leave to Remain:
- Under a qualifying route (Main applicant and dependants): Raising from £2885 to £3029
What you and your employer can do:
To avoid paying increased fees, employers and applicants should take action as soon as possible. This means preparing and submitting any applications by the 8th of April 2025. It is highly recommended that employers prepare and assign any certificates of sponsorship to their desired sponsored new hires whilst the current fee is still applicable.
At OTB, we work extensively with businesses and individuals navigating the complexity of UK Immigration. With these upcoming fee increases, we understand that it is now more important than ever to plan ahead and ensure that applications are submitted in time to avoid higher costs. Our Business Immigration Team are well-versed in handling cases like this, and we would be happy to assist you in securing your visa, sponsorship, or settlement before the changes take effect.
Contact Us
Not quite ready to book an appointment yet or unsure if it’s the right step for you? No worries! We understand that making decisions regarding legal matters can be daunting.
Reach out to our Client Care Manager, Rikki, who will be more than happy to assist you and guide you in the right direction.
Your peace of mind matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Rikki today for personalised guidance and assistance.
