Changes to UK immigration fees

These changes are likely to impact many organisations, especially those planning significant employee relocations to the UK. This article summarises the key updates and outlines important considerations organisations need to be aware of. The date for the implementation of these changes has yet to be announced, employers should remain alert for further developments.

Key change to UK immigration fees

• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee: rising from £10 to £16
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): work routes fee rising from £239 to £525
• Naturalisation as a British citizen: fee increasing from £1,500 to £1,605
• Other nationality services: various fees are set to rise

The Home Office has also updated guidance to confirm employers must not pass on the CoS or the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) to employees. Failure to comply may result in license revocation.

Airside transit exemption for ETA requirements

The government has agreed to a temporary exemption for airside transit passengers (those who do not pass through UK border control) from requiring an ETA. This primarily affects Heathrow and Manchester Airports, which currently offer airside transit facilities.

This exemption took effect on 16 January 2025 and will be kept under review. While this change may not directly affect your employees entering the UK, it’s worth noting if your organisation relies on global mobility through these key airports.

What the change to UK immigration fees means for your organisation

These changes present an opportunity to review your immigration strategy and plan accordingly:

• Consider accelerating planned moves to the UK to avoid higher fees.
• Evaluate the financial impact of these changes on your budget and programme.
• Explore ways to optimise your immigration processes and mitigate rising costs.

Legislation is currently under debate in Parliament, with approval pending. You can find additional details on these changes via the following links:

• A table with details of fees can be found here
• The Fees order can be found here
• The Explanatory Memorandum can be found here

How our UK immigration specialists can help

For further information on these changes, or to discuss immigration strategy, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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