UK hikes visa fees again from April 8

…As costs climb for migrants and employers

From Bimbola Oyesola

The Home Office has announced a fresh rise in immigration and nationality fees, with new charges set to take effect from April 8, 2026, in a move expected to impact thousands of applicants and businesses.

Officials confirmed that most visa, settlement and sponsorship fees will increase by around 6 to 7 per cent, covering work, study and visitor routes, as well as employer sponsor licences.

The government said the increases are tied to inflation and described them as “moderate adjustments”, but critics warn they will further raise the already significant cost of moving to or hiring from overseas.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “These changes ensure the immigration system remains sustainable and that those who benefit from it contribute appropriately to its cost.”

The latest rise continues a broader shift towards transferring more of the financial burden of immigration onto applicants and sponsoring organisations, following earlier increases to the Immigration Skills Charge and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Under the revised fee structure, applicants for a Skilled Worker visa of up to three years will see costs rise from £769 to £819, while those applying for longer stays will pay £1,618, up from £1,519.

Student visa applicants will also face higher charges, with fees increasing from £524 to £558, while the cost of a standard six-month visitor visa will rise from £127 to £135.

For those already living in the UK, extending a Skilled Worker visa will become more expensive, climbing from £885 to £943 for shorter stays and from £1,751 to £1,865 for longer periods.

The cost of securing settlement will also increase, with the fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain rising sharply from £3,029 to £3,226.

Employers will not be spared from the changes, as the price of obtaining a sponsor licence climbs. Large sponsors will now pay £1,682, up from £1,579, while small sponsors will see fees rise from £574 to £611.

In addition, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee will increase from £16 to £20, adding to the cumulative cost of entering the UK.

Business groups have raised concerns about the impact on recruitment, warning that repeated increases could make it harder for companies to attract international talent.

An industry source said: “While each rise may appear small in isolation, the overall cost of hiring from abroad is becoming increasingly difficult for employers to absorb.”

With multiple fee increases introduced in recent years, the latest changes are likely to intensify debate over whether the UK’s immigration system is becoming prohibitively expensive for both individuals and organisations.