UK government announces significant immigration fee rises

Following months of strikes, Rishi Sunak has announced that public sector workers across the UK will receive a pay-rise. 

However, in order to fund these wage increases, the UK government propose to raise both visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. 

Proposed increases to visa application fees are as follows: 

• 15% for work and visit visas; and
• 20% for study visas, Certificates of Sponsorship (for businesses sponsoring migrant workers), Settlement, Citizenship, Leave to remain and other categories.

In addition, the Immigration Health Surcharge will rise to £1,035 per person per person per year and the discounted rate will rise to £776, reflecting a 66% increase.

Considerations for Employers

These fee changes should be taken into consideration by UK employers, who will need to reconsider their budgets for the recruitment of foreign workers.