UK Immigration Fee Hikes and Policy Changes: What Indian Job Seekers Need to Know
The UK government has proposed an increase in various immigration fees, including the cost of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). This change could impact Indians seeking employment opportunities in the UK.
The Certificate of Sponsorship fee is paid by employers to sponsor foreign workers under the Skilled Worker Route.
Under the proposed changes, the Certificate of Sponsorship fee is set to more than double, rising from £239 to £525.
The proposals are currently awaiting approval from the UK Parliament, along with other legal processes required before they can be implemented.
No specific date has been provided for when the fee increases will take effect.
In a statement, the UK government noted that the proposed hikes, which also include higher costs for naturalisation and electronic travel authorisations, are still pending parliamentary approval.
The UK government has stated that the proposed changes to Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs), certificates of sponsorship, and nationality products are expected to generate an additional £269 million annually. This revenue will help alleviate the financial burden of running the immigration system on taxpayers.
Fee Increases for Students and Skilled Workers
Starting in January 2025, students applying for UK study visas will face higher costs.
The evidence for living expenses will rise to £1,483 per month for courses in London (£13,347 for a one-year master’s programme) and £1,136 per month for courses outside London (£10,224 for nine months). Currently, these amounts are £1,334 and £1,023 per month for London and other regions, respectively.
Skilled workers will also be subject to stricter financial thresholds.
The income thresholds for first-time applicants will rise to £38,700, while the threshold for families will increase from £29,000 to £38,700.
‘Significant’ UK Immigration Cut
In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to reduce net migration following the latest data, which showed that the number of people arriving in the UK remained historically high despite restrictions imposed by the previous Conservative government.
Starmer placed the blame on the Tories, whose 14 years in power ended with a decisive election victory for his Labour Party in the July general election. He highlighted a fourfold increase in the annual net migration figure since the 2019 election, accusing the Conservatives of treating the country as an “experiment” in open borders.
“I want to see immigration come down significantly,” Starmer stated.
“Where the last government failed you, this one will not,” he said, promising to publish a white paper “imminently” outlining the government’s plans to get numbers down.
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