The UK government has unveiled proposals to increase fees for various immigration and nationality services as part of efforts to reduce reliance on taxpayer funding for the country’s immigration and border systems.
The proposed changes, which were presented to Parliament on January 16, 2025, aim to generate additional revenue, with the Home Office estimating the adjustments will raise £269 million annually.
The fee hikes are designed to ease the financial burden on taxpayers and ensure the sustainability of the immigration system.
Under the new plan, fees will rise for services such as Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs), certificates of sponsorship, and nationality applications.
The ETA fee will increase to £16, while certificates of sponsorship will cost £525. The fee for naturalisation as a British citizen will be raised to £1,605, and for British overseas territories citizenship, the fee will rise to £1,070.
The government believes these fee increases are necessary to cover the rising costs of the immigration and border control system, reducing its dependence on taxpayer funding.
As part of the broader immigration reform, the introduction of ETAs will streamline the immigration process.
The digital ETA system is expected to enhance security while providing a quicker and more efficient experience for the millions of travellers passing through UK border control each year.
In response to concerns from the aviation industry, the government will grant a temporary exemption for passengers who remain airside and do not pass through UK border control. This exemption applies to passengers at Heathrow and Manchester airports, the only UK airports currently offering transit facilities. The exemption will be reviewed over time.
The proposed changes will now be debated in Parliament, with the legislation needing approval from both Houses. If passed, the new fees will be implemented through amendments to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018.
These changes form part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise the immigration system and reduce its financial impact on UK taxpayers while ensuring the system remains effective and sustainable.
