Prices of work visas to increase by 15% next month

The prices of skilled worker visas are set to rise by 15% from 4 October, the Home Office has confirmed.

It comes after legislation was laid in Parliament last week (15 September) around increases to immigration and nationality fees.

The Home Office said the rise would "pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises".

The government first announced the 15% rise in the cost of most work and visit visas, as well as a 20% increase in the cost of certificates of sponsorship and most priority and study visas, in July.

The changes mean an overseas skilled worker visa issued for three years or less will cost £719 as opposed to £625, while the price of a shortage occupation skilled worker visa will cost up to £1,084 compared to the current fee of £943.

The cost of a visit visa for less than six months will also jump from £15 to £115, while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise to £490 from £127.

These price rises do not take into account the planned rise to the Immigration Health Surcharge, due to be introduced later in the autumn.

A full list of the new fees can be found here.