More changes to UK immigration System announced on 16th January 2025. Next actions to improve the effectiveness of the immigration system. The proposed amendments presented to Parliament today, January 16, will give them the authority to raise the maximum amount that can be charged for a variety of nationality and immigration-related goods and services, such as:
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee rising to £16
- Certificate of sponsorship fee rising to £525
- Naturalisation as a British citizen rising to £1,605
- Naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen rising to £1,070
It is anticipated that the adjustments to ETAs, sponsorship certificates, and nationality items will result in an extra £269 million annually.
For the millions of people who cross the UK border every year, ETAs will provide a more efficient, digital immigration system that is faster and more safe as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The implementation of ETAs is consistent with the border security strategy adopted by numerous other nations, such as the United States and Australia.
The government has, however, agreed to a temporary exemption for travellers who transit airside and do not go through UK border control in response to input from the aviation sector.
The only airports in the UK that currently provide transit services, Heathrow and Manchester, will be the main targets of this change. We will continue to review the exemption.
Today’s legislation will be discussed in Parliament and must be approved by both Houses. As soon as parliamentary time permits, the proposed new fees will be implemented by changing the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018, a separate piece of law.