UK Immigration Update: Government to significantly increase UK immigration fees

On Thursday 13 July 2023, the Government announced across-the-board increases in immigration and Immigration Health Surcharge fees for migrants. These fees are intended to fund a pay rise for public sector workers, ranging between 5% to 7% across sectors.

Immigration Health Surcharge fees
Immigration Health Surcharge  fees, mandatory costs paid by migrants at the point of application to access NHS services, will substantially increase by 40% per applicant. The main rate shall rise from £624 per year to £1,035 and the discounted rate for students, under-18s and Youth Mobility Scheme  applicants will increase from £470 to £776.

Work and visit visas
Applications for work and visit visas will increase by 15%. For a five-year Skilled Worker visa, this will amount to a fee increase of approximately £185 per applicant.

Other visas
Fees for the following categories will increase by “at least 20%”:

• study visas;
• certificates of sponsorship;
• entry clearance applications;
• leave to remain applications;
• priority service;
• settlement applications; and
• citizenship applications;