Employer Update: Immigration fees due to increase from October 2023

Despite a cost of living crisis, the Home Office has published, new visa fees that are set to come into effect this month. From 4 October there will be significant increases to government visa fees that will impact both employers and employees. These changes include 15% to 25% increases that the Home Office maintain is vital in their ability “to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system”. 

The New Immigration Fees

• Sponsored work visas including Skilled Workers and visa under the Global Business Mobility will increase by 15% with a 20% increase for employers assigning Certificates of Sponsorship from £199 to £239 and for temporary workers up from £21 to £25. It should be noted that no changes have been announced to increase the mandatory immigration skills charge (ISC) at this stage.
• Priority services used by employers to expedite visa applications from overseas will double from £250 to £500 with in country applications at £500 for the one week priority service and £1,000 for a 24 hour turnaround, known as the super priority service.
• Other increases include Graduate visas rising from £715 to £822 and student visas from overseas rising from £363 to £490.
• Settlement and Nationality fees will increase by 20% up to £2,885 for indefinite leave to remain applications and £1,500 for British citizenship.
• Visitor visas are increasing by 15% to £115 from £100 for a standard visit visa and fees for multiple entry visas for two, three and five years will increase to £400, £771 and £963 respectively.
• Fees for other work routes such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual visa, Scale up and Innovator Founder visa routes will also increase by 15%.

A full list of the new fees effective from 4 October can be found at Home Office immigration and nationality fees: 4 October 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For employers who do not have a sponsor licence, there are no fee increases to apply for a licence that remain at £536 for a small sponsors and £1,476 for a large sponsors. It is however vital for employers who do currently have a sponsor licence to reconsider and plan budget increases for sponsorship of workers from autumn, unless applications can be made before the changes come into force.

For further information or assistance please contact Tijen Ahmet, Legal Director in our Employment, Pensions & Immigration team.