The UK government has made important updates to some immigration fees and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rules, aimed at reducing the reliance on taxpayer funding.

The Home Office has revealed plans to substantially raise the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), affecting both new visa applications and renewals.

As outlined in proposals presented to Parliament on 16 January 2025, the CoS fee will increase from £239 to £525, nearly doubling the current charge. This hike is part of the government's strategy to support the migration and borders system while alleviating the financial load on taxpayers.

The changes are particularly significant for UK-sponsoring businesses that employ foreign nationals. To enable UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to issue a Skilled Worker visa to a foreign hire, you must provide them with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Immigration fee changes

The government has reviewed the current fee structure for immigration and nationality products and services. As a result, new legislation has been laid before Parliament to increase the maximum fees that can be charged for a range of services.

Here are the proposed increases:

  • Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will increase from £10 to £16.
  • CoS fees will rise from £239 to £525.
  • Naturalisation as a British citizen will increase from £1,500 to £1,605.

Adjustments will also be made to a range of services under various other nationality services.

The proposed changes are subject to Parliamentary approval and, if passed, will be implemented through amendments to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018. The timing of these changes will depend on the availability of Parliamentary time.

These fee increases reflect the government’s efforts to address the financial challenges of the migration and border system while ensuring minimal reliance on public funding.

Airside transit exemption for ETA requirements

In response to feedback from the aviation industry, the government has introduced a temporary exemption from ETA requirements for airside transit passengers. This exemption applies to passengers who do not pass through UK border control during their transit.

This exemption primarily impacts Heathrow and Manchester airports, the only UK airports offering airside transit facilities and is effective from 16 January 2025.

The government will monitor and review this exemption over time to assess its continued relevance and impact.

What these changes mean for your business

If any of your sponsored workers are planning to apply for immigration or nationality services in the UK, or if they frequently travel through UK airports, it’s important for them to be aware of the following updates:

  • Budget adjustments: Factor in the proposed fee increases for relevant immigration products and services.
  • Travel planning: Check if their transit route involves airside transfers at Heathrow or Manchester airports to determine if the ETA exemption applies to them.
  • Stay updated: Keep an eye on further announcements regarding the timeline for implementing these changes.

If you have any questions, our expert UK business immigration consultants will be happy to give you further information on any of these changes. You can contact them on +44 (0) 20 7759 5420 or send an email to workpermits@sableinternational.com.

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