Major UK Immigration Fee Changes Coming Into Effect April 9th

The UK government has announced significant changes to immigration policies, and this time, the updates impact a wide range of visa categories. From visit visas to work and study permits, settlement applications, and even British citizenship, almost everyone, businesses and individuals alike, will feel the effects.

Here are the details of what’s changing from April 9th.

Increased Visa Fees Across the Board

1. Visit Visa Fee Changes

The most common visa types are seeing price hikes:

• 6-month Visa: £115 → £127

• 2-year Visa: £432 → £475

• 5-year Visa: £771 → £848

• 10-year Visa: £963 → £1,059

Even private medical treatment visas and transit visas have gone up, along with others like Hong Kong British National, refugee dependent relatives, and more.

2. Work Visa Fees (Outside the UK)

The cost to relocate for work is also climbing

• Skilled Worker (≤3 years): £719 → £769

• Skilled Worker (>3 years): £1,420 → £1,519

• Health & Care Visa (≤3 years): £284 → £304

• Health & Care Visa (>3 years): £551 → £590

Even niche categories like Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Startup, and Seasonal Worker visas are affected.

Study Visas and In-Country Applications Also Hit

3. Student Visas (Outside the UK)

• Main Applicant & Dependents: £490 → £524

• Short-Term English Courses (6–11 months): £200 → £214

4. Applications Made Within the UK

• Skilled Worker Visa (≤3 years): £827 → £885

• Over 3 years: £1,636 → £1,691

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): £2,885 → £3,129

Just imagine calculating costs for yourself and multiple dependents, along with English tests, the Life in the UK test, and possibly super priority services—it adds up very quickly.

Naturalization and Citizenship Costs

Even becoming a British citizen is getting more expensive:

• Naturalization (British citizenship): £1,500 → £1,505

• Registration as a British citizen (adult): £1,351 → £1,446

It may seem like small additions, but every pound counts—especially when you’re paying for multiple family members.

Sponsorship Fees Impacting Businesses

Employers and sponsors are not exempt:

• Worker Sponsor Licence (large sponsor): £1,476 → £1,579

• Small Sponsor: £536 → £574

• Certificate of Sponsorship (Skilled Worker): £239 → £525

Even student and temporary worker sponsor licenses saw increases ranging from £13 to £38.

These changes will impact thousands—migrants, families, students, and businesses alike. As someone who’s also affected by these updates, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to keep up with ever-rising fees.

So, how much will your visa or citizenship process cost after April 9th? Take a moment to calculate it, especially if you’re applying for ILR or British citizenship with dependents.

Feel free to share your totals and thoughts in the comments. Let’s support one another through this and keep hoping and praying that provision meets us at every step.

Thank you so much for reading.