UK Increases Visa Fees and Tightens Immigration Rules
Starting April 9, 2025, the UK government has implemented higher visa application fees and stricter immigration rules, affecting skilled workers, care providers, and international students.
Visa Fee Increases Across Categories
The UK Home Office announced increased visa application fees across multiple categories, including Skilled Worker visas, Health and Care visas, and Temporary Worker visas. For example, the Skilled Worker visa fee for applications up to 3 years has increased from £719 to £769.
The changes to ETAs, certificates of sponsorship, and nationality products are forecast to generate an additional £269 million a year.
New Requirements for Care Providers
Care providers wishing to recruit staff from abroad must now prove they have attempted to hire individuals already living in the UK who require new visa sponsorship. This change aims to prioritize domestic employment before allowing international recruitment.
The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £23,200 per year to £25,000 (or £12.82 per hour). This adjustment reflects the recent increase in the national minimum wage and aims to ensure that overseas workers are paid fairly.
Increased Minimum Salary Thresholds
The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £23,200 per year to £25,000 (or £12.82 per hour). This adjustment reflects the recent increase in the national minimum wage and aims to ensure that overseas workers are paid fairly.
Salary thresholds for health and education roles are being updated in line with national pay scales.
Impact on Employers and Applicants
These changes aim to reduce taxpayer funding of the migration and border system and shift the financial responsibility to users of the services. Employers and applicants must navigate the new financial and procedural requirements to remain compliant.
Employers and applicants must navigate the new financial and procedural requirements to remain compliant.
