The new legislation will come into effect on 18 March (6 April for the Isle of Man).
The main changes are:
- visas linked most closely to economic growth, such as those offered to workers and students, will be increased by 2%;
- a 2% increase will apply to all visit visas to help maintain the UK’s position as one of the world’s top tourist destinations;
- an increase of up to 25% will apply to settlement, residence and nationality fees, as these routes deliver the most benefits to successful applicants;
- an increase of up to 33% for optional premium services offered by the Home Office such as the super premium service and priority visa services overseas;
Fees for all sponsorship categories will be held at the current rates.
These changes ensure that the Home Office can achieve a self-funding system, whilst continuing to provide a competitive level of service, and a fees structure that remains attractive to businesses, migrants and visitors.
