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The UK Home Office has moved to introduce sweeping increases to immigration-related charges, signalling a significant escalation in the cost of entering and remaining in the United Kingdom. The proposed changes, outlined in a revised Immigration and Nationality Fees Order, are set to impact nearly all visa routes, including work, study, visit, settlement, and citizenship.

Although the implementation date has not yet been formally confirmed, such revisions are typically enforced with limited notice, often within a few weeks.

Health Surcharge Sees Sharpest Increase

At the centre of the proposed changes is a substantial rise in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), a mandatory fee that grants access to the UK’s National Health Service.

• Adults: £624 → £1,035 per year
• Children & Students: £470 → £776 per year

This marks a 66 per cent increase, significantly raising the financial burden on migrants.
For example, a five-year skilled worker visa will now attract an additional £2,055 solely in health surcharge payments, excluding visa application fees.

Work and Visit Visa Fees to Increase

The revised structure also outlines moderate increases in short-term and employment-related visa categories.

• Work Visas: Increase of approximately 15%
• Visit Visas: Increase of approximately 15%

These changes will directly impact professionals, temporary workers, and tourists, making entry into the UK more expensive.

Student, Settlement and Citizenship Fees to Rise

Long-term migration routes are expected to see more significant increases:

• Student Visa Fees: Increase of at least 20%
• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): Increase of 20% or more
• Citizenship Applications: Increase of 20% or more

The move is likely to place additional financial pressure on international students and individuals seeking permanent residency.

Additional Administrative Charges

Beyond standard visa fees, several associated charges are also expected to increase, including:

• Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Biometric enrolment fees
• Priority and fast-track visa services

These additional costs will further elevate the total expense of UK immigration.

Comparative Overview: Old vs New Visa Costs

Below is an estimated comparison of current and proposed visa-related costs:

Immigration Health Surcharge (Per Year)

• Adults: £624 → £1,035
• Children/Students: £470 → £776

Skilled Worker Visa (5-Year – IHS Only)

• Old: £3,120
• New: £5,175

Work Visa Application Fee (Approx.)

• Old: £719 → £1,500 (varies by category)
• New: ~15% increase

Visitor Visa (6 Months)

• Old: £115
• New: ~£132

Student Visa Fee

• Old: £490
• New: ~£588+

Settlement (ILR)

• Old: £2,885
• New: ~£3,460+

British Citizenship

• Old: £1,580
• New: ~£1,896+

(Note: Final figures may vary slightly upon official confirmation.)

Limited Time Window for Applicants

While the government has not confirmed the exact date of enforcement, previous patterns indicate that applicants may receive only a short window before the new fees come into effect.

Prospective migrants are therefore advised to act promptly to avoid higher costs.

Conclusion

The proposed fee increases represent one of the most significant cost escalations in the UK immigration system in recent years. With sharp rises across healthcare surcharges, visa fees, and administrative costs, the overall expense of studying, working, or settling in the UK is set to increase substantially.

Guidance for Applicants

For accurate guidance and timely application support, students and applicants are advised to consult professional education and immigration experts such as MM Global Study, who can assist in navigating the changing visa landscape and help secure applications before the revised fees take effect.