The House of Commons Library has recently updated its briefing on the structure, levels, and policy framework of immigration fees in the UK. The 19-page report is available for download here and provides a comprehensive overview, including current fees, exemptions, how fees are set, historical increases, recent government changes, parliamentary scrutiny, and international comparisons.
According to the briefing, individuals applying for visas, permission to stay, settlement, or British citizenship are generally required to pay application fees. As of 2026, the fees are as follows: a six-month visitor visa £127, a student visa £524, a three-year work visa £769, a settlement £3,029, and naturalisation as a British citizen £1,605. Most applicants are also required to pay the immigration health surcharge, currently £1,035 per year for adults.
Employers sponsoring migrant workers must pay a levy of up to £1,320 per year. The Commons Library notes that sponsoring a worker for five years can cost a small business over £10,000 – significantly higher than many other countries. A 2025 report commissioned by the Royal Society calculated that the total upfront cost of a five-year UK Skilled Worker visa – £12,500 – was roughly 1,000% higher than the average cost in other countries surveyed.
Revenue from immigration and nationality fees has risen substantially over the years. Income increased from £184 million in 2003 to £3 billion in 2024, with an additional £2.6 billion collected through the immigration health surcharge and £600 million through employer levies.
The briefing also highlights recent changes to fees: in October 2023, visa fees rose by 15–35% depending on the category; the immigration health surcharge increased by 66% in February 2024; and in 2025, the immigration skills charge for employers increased by 32%, while sponsorship certificate fees jumped by 120%. Further increases to some fees are expected in the future.
Lawsentis Point:
The rising costs of UK immigration – both for individuals and employers – highlight the increasing financial burden on those seeking to live, work, or invest in the UK. While fees support government services and administration, the scale of increases, particularly for skilled worker visas and health surcharges, may disproportionately affect small businesses and international talent.
Lawsentis advises applicants and employers to carefully plan and budget for these costs and stay updated on fee changes to avoid unexpected financial challenges.