- BY Colin Yeo
Immigration and nationality fees for 2022/23
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Update: new fees apply from 4 October 2023, the details of those are here.
The updated list of fees for immigration and nationality applications that apply from 6 April 2022 shows that most visas and extensions are up £15. Citizenship and sponsor licence rates are unchanged.
Headline application fees had been largely frozen for the last three years following years of massive hikes, the last of which was in April 2018. But the Immigration Health Surcharge, a separate tax on visas, has increased sharply over that period, from £200 a year in 2018 to £624 a year by the end of 2020. This is therefore the first financial year in quite a while that the total cost of a typical visa has risen below inflation. The Home Office has also announced the abolition of No Time Limit fees.
The costs remain exorbitant. Money from the Immigration Health Surcharge is ringfenced for the NHS, but the Home Office makes a hefty profit on the processing fees. A migrant applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK has to pay £2,404. The estimated cost to the Home Office of processing an ILR application is £491 — so the fee is set at five times higher than the actual administrative cost. A Skilled Worker visa for someone working in a “shortage occupation”, where the UK is desperate for workers, has an administrative cost of £154 but is charged at up to £928.
[application]Most outrageous of all is the application fee for registering a child as British. The fee in 2022/23 is still over £1,000, whereas the processing cost is £416. The Court of Appeal has found that the Home Office failed to assess the best interests of children in setting this fee, but the Supreme Court recently upheld the department’s fundamental power to charge as it sees fit.
It is not just individual migrants who are being squeezed for fees. Employers who recruit foreign workers face a charge of £1,000 per worker per year. (A lower charge of £364 per worker per year is applicable to small businesses and universities and there are some exemptions.)
The full list of old and new fees is below.
Visas and applications made outside the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit visa – short up to 6 months | £95 | £100 | £5 |
| Visit visa – long up to 2 years [footnote 1] | £361 | £376 | £15 |
| Visit visa – long up to 5 years | £655 | £670 | £15 |
| Visit visa – long up to 10 years | £822 | £837 | £15 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months | £190 | £200 | £10 |
| Private medical treatment visa – more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £190 | £200 | £10 |
| Transit visa – (direct airside transit) | £35 | £35 | £0 |
| Transit visit visa (landside transit) | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Electronic Visa Waiver | £30 | £30 | £0 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (outside the UK) | £388 | £388 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) application made overseas | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Other visa | £516 | £531 | £15 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £180 | £180 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement | £1,523 | £1,538 | £15 |
| Route to Settlement – other dependant relative | £3,250 | £3,250 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative | £388 | £388 | £0 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules. | £2,389 | £2,404 | £15 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a foreign or Commonwealth citizen discharged from HM Forces under paragraph 13 of Appendix Armed Forces to the immigration rules. | n/a | £2,404 | n/a |
| Call out/ out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) – service of consular officers | £142 | £142 | £0 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents – consular functions | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
Work – applications made outside the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator – main applicant and dependants | £1,021 | £1,036 | £15 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £363 | £378 | £15 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £456 | £456 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £152 | £167 | £15 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £1,021 | £1,036 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £363 | £378 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £1,623 | £1,638 | £15 |
| Skilled worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £610 | £625 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,220 | £1,235 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £928 | £943 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £232 | £247 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £232 | £247 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants (until 10 April 2022) | £610 | £625 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants (until 10 April 2022) | £1,220 | £1,235 | £15 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £610 | £625 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £482 | £497 | £15 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £244 | £259 | £15 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £610 | £625 | £15 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants | £244 | £259 | £15 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £610 | £625 | £15 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £625 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years -main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £1,235 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants (from 22 August 2022) | n/a | £715 | n/a |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants (from 30 May 2022) | n/a | £715 | n/a |
Study – applications made outside the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £348 | £363 | £15 |
| Child Student | £348 | £363 | £15 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £186 | £200 | £14 |
Optional premium services outside the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Visa service – Settlement | £573 | £573 | £0 |
| Priority Visa service – Non-Settlement (Increased fee applicable from 10 May 2022) | £220 | £250 | £30 |
| Super Priority Visa service | £956 | £956 | £0 |
| User Pays Visa Application service | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to provide any premium service relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £77.40 | £77.40 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) | £2.74 | £2.74 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) | £0.69 | £0.69 | £0 |
Optional premium services in the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Priority service | £800 | £800 | £0 |
| Expedited processing – Priority service | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 | £650 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £57.33 | £57.33 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £77.40 | £77.40 | £0 |
| Premium status checks and advice – Administrative Officer (per minute)[footnote 3] | £0.80 | £0.80 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) [footnote 3] | £0.88 | £0.88 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) [footnote 3] | £1.10 | £1.10 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) [footnote 3] | £0.97 | £0.97 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) [footnote 3] | £1.23 | £1.23 | £0 |
Premium services at the border
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Traveller (Adult) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller (Child) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £24 | £24 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller – Registration of New Documents | £20 | £20 | £0 |
| Fast Track – Heathrow terminals 2, 3 and 4 | £5.20 | £5.20 | £0 |
| Fast Track – Other ports of entry | £3.00 | £3.00 | £0 |
Work – applications made in the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator – main applicant and dependants | £1,277 | £1,292 | £15 |
| Start-Up – main applicant and dependants | £493 | £508 | £15 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £456 | £456 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £152 | £167 | £15 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Graduate Route – main applicant and dependants | £700 | £715 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £608 | £623 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – main applicant and dependants | £1,277 | £1,292 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £493 | £508 | £15 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £1,623 | £1,638 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £704 | £719 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,408 | £1,423 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £928 | £943 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £232 | £247 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] -main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £232 | £247 | £15 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years [footnote 2] – main applicant and dependants | £464 | £479 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants (until 10 April 2022) | £704 | £719 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants (until 10 April 2022) | £1,408 | £1,423 | £15 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £704 | £719 | £15 |
| Intra-Company Transfer – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants (until 10 April 2022) | £482 | £497 | £15 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £244 | £259 | £15 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £704 | £719 | £15 |
| Temporary Worker -Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement Worker, Government Authorised Exchange Worker – main applicant and dependants | £244 | £259 | £15 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £704 | £719 | £0 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £719 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years -main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £1,423 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants (from 11 April 2022) | n/a | £259 | n/a |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants (from 22 August 2022) | n/a | £715 | n/a |
Study – applications made in the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £475 | £490 | £15 |
| Child student | £475 | £490 | £15 |
Other applications made in the UK
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Extension – main applicant and dependants | £993 | £1,000 | £7 |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1,033 | £1,048 | £15 |
| Leave to remain – Other | £1,033 | £1,048 | £15 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-country) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £180 | £180 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-country) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Retired person of independent means | £1,949 | £1,964 | £15 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £25 | £25 | £0 |
| Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants | £2,389 | £2,404 | £15 |
| Biometric enrolment and / or re-use of recorded biometric information (the £19.20 fee is not payable for applications for indefinite leave or limited to remain or nationality) | £19.20 | £19.20 | £0 |
| TOC or Application for a document confirming identity and immigration or nationality status – limited leave to remain | £161 | £161 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) | £56 | £56 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Permit | £56 | £56 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – adult | £280 | £280 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – child | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – adult | £75 | £75 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – child | £49 | £49 | £0 |
| Administrative Review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | £0 |
Nationality
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation [footnote 4] | £1,250 | £1,250 | £0 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult [footnote 4] | £1,126 | £1,126 | £0 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – child [footnote 5] | £1,012 | £1,012 | £0 |
| The arrangement of a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| The administration of a citizenship oath, or oath and pledge where the oath, or oath and pledge, are not administered at a citizenship ceremony or by a justice of the peace. | £5 | £5 | £0 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult | £901 | £901 | £0 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – child | £810 | £810 | £0 |
| Renunciation of nationality | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (In the UK) | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Nationality review | £372 | £372 | £0 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £250 | £250 | £0 |
| Nationality – supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £250 | £250 | £0 |
Sponsorship
| Fees category | Old Fee | New fee from 6 April 2022 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25,000 | £25,000 | £0 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8,000 | £8,000 | £0 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8,000 | £8,000 | £0 |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £200 | £200 | £0 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1,476 | £1,476 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Student sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 | £1,476 | £0 |
| Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 | £1,476 | £0 |
| Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 | £1,476 | £0 |
| Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £940 | £940 | £0 |
| Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £536 | £536 | £0 |
| Sponsor action plan | £1,476 | £1,476 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Intra-company Transfer (until 10 April 2022), Intra-company Transfer Graduate Trainee (until 10 April 2022), Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (from 11 April 2022) | £199 | £199 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for Temporary Work route – including Global Business Mobility- Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, and Scale-up route | £21 | £21 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – over 12 Months | £199 | £199 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – for 12 months or less | £21 | £21 | £0 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £21 | £21 | £0 |
Application fee of £95 where the applicant is a Chinese national applying in mainland China under the Chinese visa scheme
Skilled Worker visa fees are reduced for those qualifying for Health and Care Visa and the fees after reductions are shown above
Administrative Officer, Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer are Civil Service staff grades.
The citizenship ceremony fee of £80 will be added to the application fee
Additional £80 per applicant is required to cover the ceremony fee should the minor turn 18 during the application process. This will be requested at point of decision.
This article shows the fees in force on the date of publication shown above. Older versions of this article stated the fees applicable at the time, which for reference can be found at UK visa fees. The authoritative source is the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018, as amended.
There’s lots wrong with our asylum, immigration and citizenship laws. If you want to be properly informed, check out my book Welcome to Britain, now available in paperback.
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Colin Yeo
Immigration and asylum barrister, blogger, writer and consultant at Garden Court Chambers in London and founder of the Free Movement immigration law website.
One Response
Amazingly, Travel documents: no time limit