UK Immigration Fees to Increase from 8 April 2026: ETA Rises to £20
The UK Home Office has outlined rises in immigration, nationality, and passport fees effective 8 April 2026. Many application fees will increase by 6-7%, while the Electronic Travel Authorisation fee jumps 25% to £20. These changes, as detailed by Lewis Silkin, affect sponsorship and recruitment planning.
UK Home Office Announces Immigration Fee Rises for 2026
The UK Home Office has released details on upcoming increases to fees for immigration, nationality, and passport applications, set to take effect from 8 April 2026. According to analysis by Lewis Silkin (source: lewissilkin.com), these adjustments will influence costs for various routes, particularly those involving sponsorship of overseas workers.
General Information Only
This summarises published details and is not legal advice. Fees and rules can change; always verify with official Home Office sources for the latest.
Generally, numerous immigration fees are slated for rises of 6% or 7%. Notably, fees like the Certificate of Sponsorship, Immigration Health Surcharge, and Immigration Skills Charge remain unchanged.
Notable Unchanged Fees
ETA Fee Surge
The Electronic Travel Authorisation fee, introduced at £10 in 2023 and raised to £16 in 2024, will climb 25% to £20 from April 2026, per Lewis Silkin.
| Fee Type | Current Fee | New Fee (Apr 2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 | 25% |
| Skilled Worker Visa (main applicant) | Varies | Up 6-7% | 6-7% |
| Dependent Visa | Varies | Up 6-7% | 6-7% |
| Passport Applications | Varies | Up 6-7% | 6-7% |
These modifications, as reported by Lewis Silkin, are likely to affect organisational budgets for recruiting international talent. A comprehensive list of all changes is accessible via the Home Office resources linked in the source article.
Implications for Sponsors and Applicants
- Direct impact on costs for sponsoring workers under routes like Skilled Worker visas
- Planning needed for recruitment budgets ahead of the 8 April 2026 implementation
- No alterations to key surcharges, offering some cost stability
The rules state that businesses and individuals should account for these adjustments when preparing applications, according to the Lewis Silkin insights.
When do the new UK immigration fees apply?
The increases take effect from 8 April 2026, as outlined by the Home Office and summarised by Lewis Silkin.
How much will the ETA fee rise?
Typically, it increases from £16 to £20, a 25% hike, per the source.
Are all fees changing?
No, certain fees like the Immigration Health Surcharge remain the same, according to Lewis Silkin.
Check Official Sources
Full details and the complete fee schedule are available on the Home Office website via the Lewis Silkin article link.