United Kingdom raises visa, settlement and sponsor licence fees
Change
United Kingdom raised most immigration and nationality fees — including work, study and visit visas and employer sponsor licences — by about 6–7%, effective April 8, 2026.
Why it matters
Hiring and admissions budgets must now absorb higher application and sponsorship charges, increasing the cost of bringing in foreign staff and students. Employer sponsors and education institutions must re-price offers, budgets or aid packages to avoid underfunding relocations or enrolments.
Implications
- • Employer HR and immigration compliance teams at firms that sponsor foreign workers must revise hiring budgets and offer packages to include higher sponsor licence and visa charges — failing to do so will underfund new hires' relocation costs.
- • University international admissions and student finance offices must update fee schedules and financial aid estimates to reflect increased student visa and settlement charges, or risk providing incorrect cost-of-study information to applicants.
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