The UK Home Office has increased fees for expedited immigration services by 75%. This change significantly impacts those seeking UK Express Visa Processing, making it more costly for applicants.
Starting October 21, sponsors must now pay £350 to fast-track sponsorship management requests and £750 for priority licence processing. The change represents a 75% and 50% increase, respectively, compared to previous fees.
New Visa Sponsorship Fees
The fee for expedited processing of sponsorship management requests has also risen from £200 to £350, affecting Worker, Temporary Worker, and Student Sponsor categories.
Meanwhile, the priority service for sponsor licence applications now costs £750, up from £500. Though this adjustment may not make major headlines, it has a direct impact on businesses, universities, and other licensed sponsors that depend on fast immigration decisions to manage staffing and international recruitment efficiently.
Expedited Visa Processing
Expedited processing functions as the UK immigration system’s “fast-track lane.” It allows employers, educational institutions, and other sponsors to receive quicker decisions on certain applications often within a few working days rather than waiting several weeks under standard timelines.
This option is especially valuable for organisations that need to hire overseas workers quickly or handle urgent sponsorship updates tied to compliance or licence management.
Employers and institutions typically use expedited processing to:
- Speed up the hiring process for time-sensitive roles.
- Avoid business disruptions when sponsorship permissions need urgent updates.
- Reinstate suspended or downgraded licences swiftly to maintain compliance.
For universities and colleges, the service also helps ensure smooth international student enrolments and compliance tasks before academic sessions begin.
How it Works
Sponsors who opt for expedited processing can generally expect:
- A dedicated caseworker or faster allocation of their application.
- A decision within a few working days instead of weeks.
- Email confirmation once the update or decision is complete.
However, the Home Office cautions that priority service does not guarantee approval it only ensures quicker review and processing.
The fee raise is the latest in a series of initiatives being put in place by the UK government to check immigration.