Businesses and migrant communities have been rocked by the UK government’s announcement that it will raise immigration fees for important services like sponsorship, naturalization, and visas. The proposed changes, which will be presented to Parliament on January 16, 2025, could have a significant impact on employers, international talent, and the UK’s ability to compete globally.
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The UK Proposed Immigration Fee Increases
The government’s plan calls for significant increases in a number of vital immigration and nationality services, including:
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Rising from £10 to £16.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Increasing dramatically from £239 to £525.
- Naturalization as a British Citizen: Going up from £1,500 to £1,605.
- Naturalization as a British Overseas Territories Citizen: Rising from £1,000 to £1,070.
The government’s larger plan to cut taxpayer support for the migration and borders system includes these adjustments. An additional £269 million in revenue is anticipated per year as a result of the fee increases.
Reducing reliance on taxpayer funding for the migration and borders system is the main reason for the fee rises, according to the UK government. The government hopes to increase money while preserving the integrity of the immigration system by placing a greater financial burden on sponsors and applicants.
Employers and people are encouraged to get ready for the prospect of increased fees in the near future, even if a specific implementation date has not yet been determined.
Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-steps-for-a-more-efficient-immigration-system.
