The UK Home Office has confirmed a series of immigration and nationality fee increases set to take effect on 9 April 2025. These changes will impact various application categories, including Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), naturalisation, and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).
The application fee for ILR will increase from £2,885 to £3,029 per applicant, affecting both main applicants and dependants. This represents an additional £144 per application.
Individuals applying for British citizenship through naturalisation will see fees rise from £1,500 to £1,605, adding £105 to the overall cost. When you factor in the £130 cost of the citizenship ceremony, the overall cost increases to £1,735.
Employers looking to sponsor workers under categories such as Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility (Senior or Specialist Worker), Ministers of Religion, and International Sportsperson (over 12 months) will face a significant fee increase. The cost of a CoS will rise from £239 to £525—a 120% increase. While this may seem manageable for individual applications, businesses sponsoring multiple employees could face considerably higher expenses.
These fee hikes highlight the need for both individuals and employers to stay updated on the evolving costs of UK immigration processes. Businesses planning to sponsor overseas workers should account for these additional expenses in their budgets, while applicants for ILR and naturalisation should prepare for the increased costs when planning their applications.
