UK raises immigration fees for in-country expedited sponsorship and visa services

LONDON Oct 24: The UK government has raised immigration fees for in-country expedited services, effective October 21, 2025, continuing a trend of significant increases over the past two years.

Expedited processing of sponsorship management requests made by worker, temporary worker, or student sponsors now costs £350, up 75 per cent from the previous £200. Meanwhile, priority service for sponsor licence applications has increased to £750, a 50 per cent rise from £500.

The fee changes come amid broader increases affecting Certificates of Sponsorship, skilled worker and visit visa applications, and the upfront immigration health surcharge.

The updated fees apply specifically to in-country expedited processing and priority applications, leaving standard processing fees unchanged.

No immediate exemptions have been announced, and the changes affect both corporate sponsors and educational institutions handling visa requests.

The fee increase is part of the UK’s larger effort to maintain competitiveness in attracting skilled international workers while balancing administrative costs. With continued changes in visa policies, companies and educational institutions may need to reassess their immigration and workforce strategies to manage higher costs and processing timelines

This change continues a broader trend of significant immigration fee increases in the UK in the last 12-24 months, including increases regarding Certificates of Sponsorship, applications for skilled worker and visit visas, and the upfront immigration health surcharge, among others.