Important Updates
Important Updates
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 3, 2025 | ๐ŸŒMinimum Salary Changes Announced
September 3, 2025 | RussiaRussia: New Monitoring Application Requirements for Certain Nationals
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 3, 2025 | ๐ŸŒMinimum Salary Changes Announced
September 3, 2025 | RussiaRussia: New Monitoring Application Requirements for Certain Nationals
September 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: EB-2 Immigrant Visa Category Unavailable Through September 30 After Reaching Annual Limit for FY 2025
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Fee Rises: Food for Positive Thought

July 17, 2023

Fee Rises: Food for Positive Thought

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Shuyeb Muquit

The news that the UK government has agreed to adopt the independently recommended increases to the salaries of key public sector workers was accompanied by announcements that immigration visa fees across the board, as well as the Immigration Health Surcharge, will be increased to partially fund these pay settlements.

We are told that application fees for work visas will increase by 15% and the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship will rise by 20%. There are reports that the Immigration Health Surcharge will increase by ยฃ400โ€”a more than 60% increaseโ€”making it more than ยฃ1,000 in total.

These fee increases are substantial, and invite immediate reflection and review of budgets and strategies for those accessing overseas skills pools to work in the UKโ€”particularly when budgets are tight and cost-containing measures are already in situ.

However, some policy over-points invite an optimistic and positive outlook for the role of immigration going forward:

    • Immigration is now indispensable to the UK โ€“ it is placed at the heart of the funding regime of its critical services. Doctors, teachers and the police force are being funded by the collection of immigration fees. The success of public services is now coupled with the success of the countryโ€™s immigration system.
    • The attitude towards immigration is therefore moving to a much more positive space: the more (legal) immigration there is, the more funds are available for public services. This is a significant shift in perspective, and puts those employing overseas workers amongst the cohort of civic contributors.
    • We are now moving to a space where increases in net migration will, in concert with what is said above, be seen as positive.
    • The UK immigration regime has always been the most expensive in the world, and these fee increases only further confirm that position. However, the fees are now at a point where any further increases are likely to be marginal. In other words, we have reached the โ€œprecipice of pain,โ€ and this perspective allows forward planning to be more certain.
    • In conjunction with high immigration fees, the UK government may be encouraged to deliver further liberalisations and user experience improvements that businesses require as a quid pro quo for sustained demand, including vis-a-vis short-term productivity facilities/routes and processing times.
    • Separately, there is now a strong case to be made for encouraging projects triangulating the issue of labour shortages with the utility of populations that are in the UK through displacement.  

From a policy perspective, these points highlight that the cost changes just announced, though unwelcome on one level, can potentially be treated as fuel for positive change.

Ultimately, the use of immigration fees is entirely consistent with Fragomenโ€™s Worldwide Immigration Trends Reportโ€™s prediction that governments use migration as a tool for economic and political purposes.

Need to know more?

For questions regarding these fee increases and their impacts, please reach out to Senior Manager Shuyeb Muquit at [email protected].

This blog was published on 17 July 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit ourโ€ฏdedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to ourโ€ฏalertsโ€ฏand follow us onโ€ฏLinkedIn,โ€ฏTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Shuyeb Muquit - web porthole

Shuyeb Muquit

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9248

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

2025ๅนด8ๆœˆใ€€ใ‚ขใƒกใƒชใ‚ซ็งปๆฐ‘ๆณ•ใƒ€ใ‚คใ‚ธใ‚งใ‚นใƒˆLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a โ€˜One Free Zone Passportโ€™ โ€“ What It Is & How Itโ€™s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubaiโ€™s launch of the โ€œOne Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025ๅนด8ๆœˆใ€€ใ‚ขใƒกใƒชใ‚ซ็งปๆฐ‘ๆณ•ใƒ€ใ‚คใ‚ธใ‚งใ‚นใƒˆLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a โ€˜One Free Zone Passportโ€™ โ€“ What It Is & How Itโ€™s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubaiโ€™s launch of the โ€œOne Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

ยฉ 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.