UNITED KINGDOM – UK Visas and Immigration increases application and sponsorship fees.

March 20, 2025


By: Sachini Gamage, Immigration Consultant, Newland Chase

On January 16, 2025, the UKVI announced new measures to reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding. It was proposed that this would be reflected through Home Office fee increases. On March 19, 2025, the UKVI announced that several Home Office fees will increase from April 9, 2025.

For businesses sponsoring employees and education institutions sponsoring students, it is important to note the fee increases that apply.

  • Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) fee will increase to £525 for all COS assigned from April 9, 2025.
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) fee will increase to £55 for all CAS assigned from April 9, 2025.

The UKVI has also taken the opportunity to raise application fees from April 9, 2025. The increases for certain routes are outlines in the tables below. This change could mean a significant increase in the cost of providing sponsorship to workers and students seeking permission to enter or remain in the UK for work and study purposes. To help minimize the potential impact, sponsors should review upcoming and prospective applications and consider whether they can be submitted under the current fee regime. 

We also anticipate a spike in the number of applications submitted prior to April 9, 2025 as a result of the fee increases, which is likely to have an impact on application processing times. 

 

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Skilled Worker (3 years or less)  £239  £525  +£286 

 

Skilled Worker (applications made outside the UK):

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Skilled Worker (3 years or less)  £719  £769  +£50 
Skilled Worker (more than 3 years)  £1,420  £1,519  +£99 
Skilled Worker (3 years or less) – where job is on the Immigration Salary List  £551  £590  +£39 
Skilled Worker (more than 3 years) – where job is on the Immigration Salary List  £1,084  £1,160  +£76 

 

Skilled Worker (applications made inside the UK):

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Skilled Worker (3 years or less)  £827  £885  +£58 
Skilled Worker (more than 3 years)  £1,636  £1,751  +£115 
Skilled Worker (3 years or less) – where job is on the Immigration Salary List  £551  £590  +£39 
Skilled Worker (more than 3 years) – where job is on the Immigration Salary List  £1,084  £1,160  +£76 

 

Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker:

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
GBM: Senior or Specialist Worker (3 years or less, applying outside the UK)  £719  £769  +£50 
GBM: Senior or Specialist Worker (more than 3 years, applying outside the UK)  £1,420  £1,519  +£99 
GBM: Senior or Specialist Worker (3 years or less, applying inside the UK)  £827  £885  +£58 
GBM: Senior or Specialist Worker (more than 3 years, applying inside the UK)  £1,636  £1,751  +£115 

 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS):

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student  £25  £55  +£30 

 

Study applications made outside the UK:

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Student – Main Applicant and Dependants    £490  £524  +£34 
Child Student   £490  £524  +£34 
Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months  £200  £214  +£14 

 

Study applications made inside the UK:

Fees category  Current fee  Fee from 9 April 2025  Fee change 
Student – Main Applicant and Dependants    £490  £524  +£34 
Child Student   £490  £524  +£34 

 

The full published list of UKVI fees can be accessed here. Please reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.