The Home Office has confirmed new immigration and nationality fees from 8 April 2026, increasing costs across a range of UK visa, settlement, citizenship and sponsor licence applications. For businesses, sponsors and families already facing wider immigration reform, these fee rises add another cost pressure.
Which UK immigration fees have increased from 8 April 2026?
Most immigration and nationality fees have risen from 8 April 2026. This includes applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain, British citizenship, Skilled Worker visas, Global Business Mobility visas and worker sponsor licences.
ILR and British citizenship fees
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) have increased from £3,029 to £3,226 per applicant, a rise of £197. That keeps ILR among the most expensive immigration applications, although the Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply at settlement stage.
The fee to naturalise as a British citizen has increased from £1,605 to £1,709. New citizens who need to travel will usually also need a British passport, and the standard online adult passport fee is now £102.
A rare fee cut. Child citizenship registration
One notable exception is child citizenship registration. The fee has fallen from £1,214 to £1,000, a reduction of £214. For many families, that will be a meaningful saving at a time when most other immigration and nationality fees are rising.
Fees rising alongside wider immigration reform
These fee increases come at a time of wider UK immigration reform. Recent changes have included higher Skilled Worker salary thresholds, restrictions on dependants for some care worker roles, and consultation on a tougher future settlement model. The latest fee rises add to the cost of sponsoring workers, securing settlement and applying for British citizenship.
The Government has said application fee income is not set by cost recovery alone. Under the Immigration Act 2014, the Home Secretary can also take account of the wider economic benefits of migration, the value of the status granted and wider policy objectives.
Key Home Office immigration and nationality fee changes from 8 April 2026
| Application Type | Current Fee | New Fee | Fee Change |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £3,029 | £3,226 | +£197 |
| Naturalisation as a British citizen | £1,605 | £1,709 | +£104 |
| Child citizenship registration | £1,214 | £1,000 | -£214 |
| Adult passport online | £94.50 | £102 | +£7.50 |
| Skilled Worker – up to 3 years | £885 | £943 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker – over 3 years | £1,751 | £1,865 | +£114 |
| Global Business Mobility – up to 3 years | £885 | £943 | +£58 |
| Global Business Mobility – over 3 years | £1,751 | £1,865 | +£114 |
| Worker Sponsor Licence – Large Sponsor | £1,579 | £1,682 | +£103 |
| Worker Sponsor Licence – Small Sponsor | £574 | £611 | +£37 |
What applicants and sponsors should do now
If you are preparing an application, now is a good time to review timing, eligibility and total cost. For employers, that means budgeting not only for visa fees but also for sponsor licence costs and wider sponsorship spend. For individuals and families, it means understanding the full cost of settlement and citizenship planning before you apply.
If you are planning a visa, settlement, citizenship or sponsor licence application, our immigration team can help you understand the new fee position and plan the most cost-effective next steps.
