UK Immigration update: Immigration fees, UK ETA and eVisa update and the care sector

At a glance

• From 9 April 2025, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fees will increase by 60% to GBP16.
• Sponsor licence fees will rise by 7%, and the cost of assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship will increase by 120% to GBP525.
• From 2 April 2025, all non-visa nationals must have UK ETA. This is already mandatory for non-European non-visa nationals.
• The rollout of UK eVisas is now complete. Biometric Residence cards have now been phased out for travel, but expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) should be carried when travelling to the UK before or on 1 June 2025.
• From 9 April 2025, care providers in England must prioritise recruiting international care workers already in England before hiring from overseas. Minimum salary thresholds for care roles will increase to GBP25,000 per year.

Increase to immigration fees

From 9 April 2025, there will be significant increases to the associated fees for immigration services and products. Travellers to the UK can expect a 60% increase on ETA fees (to GBP16).

Sponsors can expect a 7% increase on sponsor licence and worker visa application fees and a 120% increase on the costs of assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (rising to GBP525 from GBP239).

Other visa routes, such as the Visitor route will also see an increase. A full list of the increases can be found here: Visa fees transparency data – GOV.UK

Any application or certificate assigned before this date will be subject to the current fees. Employers should factor in the increase for any future applications.

UK ETA and eVisa update

Since our last update, UK ETA became mandatory for most non-visa nationals on 8 January 2025. It will become mandatory for all non-visa nationals from 2 April 2025, including eligible Europeans.

EVisas were rolled out as a part of the UK Home Office digitisation efforts. This meant that no new BRPs have been issued since 31 October 2024.

From 1 January 2025, all BRP holders should have created a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisa. However, owing to the issues related to the rollout, the Home Office state that expired BRPs (if held) should still be carried for travel until 1 June 2025.

Individuals transiting through London Heathrow airport and / or Manchester airport will not need to obtain ETAs yet, as they remain temporarily exempt.

Care sector

The UK Home Office has intensified efforts to combat illegal working by significantly increasing the number of checks and visits conducted. Sponsor licence compliance has become an enforcement priority, with over 470 care sector licences being revoked since July 2022.

From 9 April 2025, sponsors will be required to prioritise international care workers who are already present in England and seeking new sponsorship, prior to recruiting from overseas. These changes are limited to England only and working locations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not impacted.

For workers employed in a Health and Care Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) salary job (which includes care workers), the salary thresholds are being increased to match the updated pay scales. The general threshold is also increasing to GBP25,000 per year (from the previous GBP23,200). Sponsors will need to ensure that any new employees are paid at the correct salary level.