Anyone planning to apply for a UK visa or immigration status should be aware that a significant round of fee increases came into effect on 8 April 2026. Across virtually every immigration and nationality category, fees have risen by between six and seven per cent, affecting visitors, students, workers, and those seeking long-term settlement in the United Kingdom. The changes are among the most sweeping in recent years and have prompted considerable discussion among immigration lawyers and applicants alike.
What Has Gone Up and By How Much
The changes touch nearly every part of the immigration fee schedule. A standard six-month visitor visa now costs £135, up from £127 previously. For those on the Skilled Worker route, entry clearance applications for up to three years have risen to £819. At the top end of the scale, the much-scrutinised Indefinite Leave to Remain fee has broken through the £3,200 barrier for the first time, now sitting at £3,226 per applicant.
Perhaps the most eye-catching single increase is to the Electronic Travel Authorisation, which has risen by 25 per cent – from £16 to £20. The ETA, which applies to nationals of countries that do not need a visa to visit the UK but must obtain pre-travel authorisation, has been one of the government’s higher-profile recent immigration initiatives. With over 24.8 million ETAs issued since the scheme launched in October 2023, even a small percentage increase generates significant additional revenue for the Home Office.
Skilled Worker Route Changes
Beyond the fee increases, employers sponsoring Skilled Workers faced a notable new requirement from 8 April 2026. Sponsors are now required to pay Skilled Workers the full required salary in every pay period, rather than simply meeting an annual average. This closes a loophole that had allowed some employers to underpay workers in certain months by making up the shortfall later in the year.
The change has been broadly welcomed by worker advocacy groups, who argued that the previous system left some migrant workers financially vulnerable during months when they were paid below the required threshold. Employers, however, have raised practical concerns about administrative complexity, particularly for roles where bonuses or variable pay make up a significant proportion of total compensation.
Pre-Settled Status: Home Office Begins Cancellations
From 9 April 2026, the Home Office has begun actively cancelling pre-settled status for EU citizens who are deemed to have ceased maintaining continuous UK residence. Pre-settled status was granted to EU nationals who had been living in the UK for less than five years at the time of the Brexit settlement deadline, with the understanding that they would apply for full settled status once they reached the five-year threshold.
However, those who have left the UK for extended periods risk losing their pre-settled status even before that five-year mark is reached. The Home Office has indicated that it may cancel status if it concludes that continuous residence has ceased and that cancellation would be proportionate in the circumstances. EU citizens who hold pre-settled status and have spent significant time abroad are strongly advised to seek legal advice about their position.
Immigration Rules Updates Under Statement HC 1691
The 8 April date also coincided with changes to Immigration Rules Part 1 under Statement of Changes HC 1691. These amendments affected multiple immigration categories including the Skilled Worker route, the Standard Visitor visa route, and the Student visa route. Immigration lawyers have been busy advising clients about the practical implications of these changes, which in some areas represent subtle but significant shifts in how applications are assessed and processed.
For those already in the UK on time-limited leave, the key advice from practitioners is to review your visa expiry date, understand any new requirements that apply to your category, and seek advice early rather than waiting until close to an application deadline.
What This Means for Applicants
The practical message for anyone planning to apply for a UK visa or immigration permission in the coming months is straightforward: expect to pay more. The increases apply to new applications made from 8 April 2026, so anyone who was able to submit their application before that date will have benefited from the lower fee schedule. For those who were not, the higher fees now apply without exception.
Immigration fees in the UK have been rising consistently for several years, and these latest increases continue that trend. Critics argue that the cumulative cost of immigration fees – particularly for families and for those seeking long-term settlement – has become prohibitively expensive for many people. The cost of a family of four each applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, for example, now exceeds £12,000 in fees alone, before any legal costs are added.
Where to Get Help
For anyone navigating the UK immigration system, specialist legal advice is strongly recommended. The system is complex, fees are substantial, and mistakes can be costly both financially and in terms of immigration status. The government’s official guidance on fees and immigration rules is available on the GOV.UK website, and the Law Society maintains a directory of accredited immigration solicitors for those seeking professional assistance.