UK Proposes Sharp Fee Rises for ETA, CoS, and Citizenship Applications
The Home Office has outlined proposed increases to several immigration fees, with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) set to rise from £10 to £16 and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees more than doubling to £525. Naturalisation as a British citizen would cost £1,605, up from £1,500. According to VisaHQ, these changes could generate an extra £269 million annually while lessening taxpayer burden.
Home Office Flags Major Immigration Fee Increases
The UK Home Office has published proposals for substantial rises in various immigration-related charges, as reported by VisaHQ on 29 January 2026. These adjustments aim to shift more costs onto users rather than taxpayers, with secondary legislation laid before Parliament.
General Information Only
This summarises public reports and is not legal or immigration advice. Rules can change; typically, applicants should check official gov.uk sources for the latest details.
| Fee Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £10 | £16 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £239 | £525 |
| Naturalisation as British Citizen | £1,500 | £1,605 |
| Naturalisation as British Overseas Territories Citizen | Not specified | £1,070 |
According to VisaHQ, citing legal firm Five Star International, the ETA fee would increase for the second time within a year. The CoS charge, crucial for employer sponsorships, faces the sharpest proportional jump.
Projected Impact
- Greater reliance on user-pay model per Home Office rationale
- Affects visa applicants, sponsors, and those seeking citizenship
- No confirmed start date, pending parliamentary process
VisaHQ notes that officials estimate these hikes would reduce Whitehall's dependence on public funds. Businesses assigning sponsorships and individuals planning naturalisation generally need to monitor updates.
Source Attribution
Details drawn from VisaHQ article (29 Jan 2026): https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-28/gb/uk-government-proposes-sharp-rises-to-eta-citizenship-and-sponsorship-fees/
Frequently Asked Questions
When will these fee changes take effect?
No implementation date has been set, according to VisaHQ reporting on Home Office proposals.
Do these apply to all applicants?
The rules state changes target specific fees like ETA and CoS; typically, existing applications follow prior rates.
Where to verify official fees?
Gov.uk provides the authoritative fee schedule, as per standard Home Office practice.