UK Immigration & Passport Fee Increases Coming April 2025: What You Need to Know

Big changes are on the horizon for anyone applying for UK visas, settlement, citizenship—and now passports too. Starting 9 April 2025, the Home Office will roll out fee increases across most visa categories, nationality applications, sponsorship services, and more. In addition, from 10 April, passport fees will also rise. Here’s an overview of what’s changing, who’s most affected, and how you can prepare.

Key Immigration Fee Increases at a Glance (from 9 April 2025)

Visitor Visas

• Short-term (6 months): £115 → £127 (+£12)

• Long-term (10 years): £963 → £1,059 (+£96)

  
  

Work Routes

• Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less), outside UK: £719 → £769 (+£50)

• Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less), in UK: £827 → £885 (+£58)

• Health and Care visa: £284 → £304 (+£20)

Settlement and Nationality

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): £2,885 → £3,029 (+£144)

• Naturalisation: £1,500 → £1,605 (+£105)

Sponsorship

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for Skilled Workers: £239 → £525 (+£286)

• Sponsor licence (large companies): £1,476 → £1,579 (+£103)

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• ETA fee: £10 → £16 (+£6)

Passport Application Fee Updates (from 10 April)

If you’re applying for or renewing a UK passport, note these changes:

• Standard online application (within the UK)

  • Adults: £88.50 → £94.50

  • Children: £57.50 → £61.50

• Postal application (within the UK)

  • Adults: £100 → £107

  • Children: £69 → £74

• Premium Service (1-day application, within the UK)

  • Adults: £207.50 → £222

  • Children: £176.50 → £189

• Standard online application (from overseas)

  • Adults: £101 → £108

  • Children: £65.50 → £70

• Standard paper application (overseas)

  • Adults: £112.50 → £120.50

  • Children: £77 → £82.50

Who Will Be Most Affected?

• Businesses sponsoring international workers (CoS fees more than doubling)

• Families applying for settlement or naturalisation (increases of £100+ per application)

• Frequent visitors to the UK (particularly those opting for multi-year visitor visas)

• International travellers who require ETAs (e.g. from the US, Canada, and many EU states)

• Passport applicants both in the UK and overseas, especially those needing expedited services

Important Changes Beyond Fee Increases

The government has introduced a temporary exemption from ETA requirements for airside transit passengers who do not pass through UK border control. At present, this primarily applies to Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Planning Ahead for April Changes

1. Submit early: Where possible, file visa, settlement, or citizenship applications before 9 April to lock in current lower fees.

2. Check for exemptions: Some applicants may be eligible for fee waivers or reduced rates.

3. Budget for sponsorship: Businesses should review hiring plans and sponsorship budgets to account for higher fees.

4. Compare passport services: If you need a UK passport, decide whether standard, postal, or premium processing offers the best balance of cost and speed.

Understanding the Background

The legal foundation for increased immigration fees took effect on 7 March 2025, through The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025, amending the 2016 Order. According to the Home Office, the additional revenue will fund improvements to the UK immigration system.

Need Personalised Guidance?

These fee changes are just one part of the UK’s evolving immigration landscape. Every individual and business situation is unique, making a tailored plan essential.

Our immigration team provides strategic, personalised advice on everything from visas and work authorisations to settlement and passport applications. We’ll help you navigate upcoming fee changes, explore your options, and optimise your immigration strategy.

Contact us today to discuss how these increases may affect your plans and how best to prepare.