Published: 9th April 2026
New Home Office immigration, nationality and sponsorship fees have taken effect from yesterday, 8 April 2026, across many visa and related categories. If you are planning an application, the fee that applies is the one in force on the date your application is submitted and paid.
Below is a practical breakdown of the updated fees, together with a short note on what the changes mean for applicants, families and employers.
Why have fees changed?
The Home Office has updated a wide range of immigration, nationality and sponsorship fees from yesterday. Some categories have increased, while others have stayed the same. That makes it important to check the exact fee for your route before submitting an application.
These changes affect application costs only. They do not change the underlying eligibility rules for the relevant immigration routes.
Settlement and nationality fees
Settlement and nationality applications are among the most significant fee increases in this round. One welcome change is the reduction in the child nationality registration fee to £1,000.
| Category | Old fee | New fee | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – main applicant and dependants | £3,029 | £3,226 | +£197 |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) – adult | £1,605 | £1,709 | +£104 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult | £1,446 | £1,540 | +£94 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – child | £1,214 | £1,000 | -£214 |
| Route to Settlement | £1,938 | £2,064 | +£126 |
For a family of four applying for ILR together, the application fee alone would now be £12,904. That figure does not include the Life in the UK Test, English language tests, translations, legal advice or other related costs.
Work visa fees
Work routes have also risen from today, including Skilled Worker, Scale-up and Health and Care Visa applications. The fees vary depending on whether the application is made inside or outside the UK and how long the visa is granted for.
| Category | Old fee | New fee | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker – up to 3 years (outside the UK) | £769 | £819 | +£50 |
| Skilled Worker – over 3 years (outside the UK) | £1,519 | £1,618 | +£99 |
| Skilled Worker – up to 3 years (in the UK) | £885 | £943 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker – over 3 years (in the UK) | £1,751 | £1,865 | +£114 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – up to 3 years | £304 | £324 | +£20 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – over 3 years | £590 | £628 | +£38 |
| Scale-up Visa | £880 | £937 | +£57 |
| T2 Minister of Religion | £769 | £819 | +£50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years | £769 | £819 | +£50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – over 3 years | £1,519 | £1,618 | +£99 |
| Graduate Route Visa | £880 | £937 | +£57 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 | £525 | No change |
For employers, sponsor licence costs have also increased. Large Worker sponsor licences are now £1,682, while small business, Student and Temporary Worker sponsor licences are now £611.
Study, visit and travel fees
Student and visitor fees have also risen. The ETA has increased to £20 and remains a key travel requirement for eligible visa-free nationals.
| Category | Old fee | New fee | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | £524 | £558 | +£34 |
| Child Student | £524 | £558 | +£34 |
| Visit visa – 6 months | £127 | £135 | +£8 |
| Visit visa – 2 years | £475 | £506 | +£31 |
| Visit visa – 5 years | £848 | £903 | +£55 |
| Visit visa – 10 years | £1,059 | £1,128 | +£69 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 | +£4 |
From 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 nationalities who do not need a visa cannot travel to the UK without an ETA. British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, are exempt.
Sponsor licence fees
Employer sponsorship costs have also changed from today. This will matter for organisations planning recruitment, compliance and sponsorship budgets in 2026. The main sponsor licence fees now include £1,682 for large Worker sponsors and £611 for small business, Student and Temporary Worker sponsors.
Earned settlement proposals
The government has also consulted on an “earned settlement” model, but that proposal is not yet law. As of 8 April 2026, the current settlement framework remains in force. Any future reform would need to be confirmed before it affects existing applicants.
If you are close to qualifying for settlement under the current rules, it is sensible to assess timing carefully. A proposed change should not be treated as if it has already been implemented.
Frequently asked questions
Which date determines my fee?
The fee in force on the date your application is submitted and paid applies.
Are dependants charged separately?
Yes. In most routes, each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant.
Has the Immigration Health Surcharge changed?
The 8 April 2026 fee schedule does not include the Immigration Health Surcharge, so it should be checked separately when budgeting for an application.
Do I need an ETA to visit the UK?
If you are a visa-free national and do not already hold UK status, you need an ETA before travel.
Are fee waivers available?
Fee waivers are limited and route-specific. Applicants should check whether they qualify before assuming an exemption.
What to do next
Check the exact fee for your route before you apply, because the Home Office’s updated rates now apply from 8 April 2026. Employers should update sponsorship budgets, and families should recalculate the full cost of settlement or nationality applications. Travellers from visa-free countries should also make sure they have an ETA before booking or boarding.
If you are preparing an ILR, citizenship or sponsor licence application, it is sensible to review timing, fees and document readiness together rather than in isolation.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration fees, rules and procedures can change, and you should obtain advice specific to your circumstances before making any application
If you need immigration law advice, please call us on 07973 760075 – www.atwallaw.co.uk – immigration lawyer Coventry, London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes.
