The Warm Home Discount (Reconciliation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Raised the maximum legal limits for immigration and nationality fees and introduced new chargeable service categories.
This Order amends the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016 to increase the maximum amounts that the Secretary of State can charge for various immigration and nationality services.
It raises the fee caps for entry clearance, leave to remain, and naturalisation applications, while also introducing new categories for which fees may be charged, such as specific sponsor license services.
The Order applies to individuals seeking visas, citizenship, or settlement in the United Kingdom, as well as organizations acting as licensed sponsors.
Arguments For
The Explanatory Memorandum states that the amendments ensure the Secretary of State can set fees that reflect the administrative costs of processing applications and the wider costs of the immigration and nationality system.
The document indicates that adjusted fee caps allow for the recovery of costs associated with functions that do not generate their own revenue, such as border control and enforcement.
The order cites the legal basis under section 68 of the Immigration Act 2014, which permits the Secretary of State to set fees for specific functions related to immigration and nationality.
Arguments Against
Legal commentators have noted that increasing fee caps provides the government with the discretion to raise actual costs significantly without further Parliamentary debate on the primary legislation.
Migrant advocacy groups have expressed concern that higher fees for citizenship and settlement applications may create financial barriers for low-income individuals and families.
Administrative experts have questioned whether fee increases are proportionate to service improvements, citing existing backlogs in visa processing despite previous fee hikes.
1. Citation, commencement and extent
(1) This Order may be cited as the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2024.
(2) It comes into force on 10th April 2024.
(3) It extends to the United Kingdom.
This section establishes the official name of the legislation and sets the date it becomes legally active as 10 April 2024.
It specifies that the rules apply across all four nations of the United Kingdom.
2. Amendment of the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016
The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016 is amended in accordance with articles 3 to 10.
This provision acts as a legal bridge, stating that the subsequent sections of this document will change the specific terms and tables found in the original 2016 Fees Order.
It signifies that this document is an update to existing regulations rather than a standalone new law.
3. Amendment of Article 2 (interpretation)
In article 2— (a) in the definition of “approval letter”, for “a sponsor” substitute “an organization”; (b) after the definition of “premium services” insert— ““priority service” means a service which provides for an application to be processed within a shorter period than would be the case if that service were not used;”.
This section updates the definitions used within the fee regulations.
It broadens the scope of 'approval letters' to apply to any organization rather than just sponsors, and introduces a formal definition for 'priority service' as an expedited processing option for applications.
4. Amendment of Article 4 (fees for applications, services and processes)
In article 4(2), after sub-paragraph (a) insert— “(aa) the variation of a permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom;”.
This amendment adds the 'variation of permission' to the list of actions for which a fee may be legally charged.
This allows the Home Office to collect fees when an individual seeks to change the conditions or duration of their existing stay in the UK.
5. Amendment of Article 5 (fees for applications, etc. for entry clearance, etc.)
In the table in article 5(2)— (a) in the first column of row 5.1 (fees for applications for entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom), for “5.1.1 to 5.1.5” substitute “5.1.1 to 5.1.6”; (b) after row 5.1.5 insert— “5.1.6 An application for entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom for any other purpose | £4,000”; (c) in row 5.3 (fees for applications for entry clearance to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor), in the third column, for “£1,000” substitute “£2,000”.
This section increases the maximum permitted fees for entry clearance applications.
It doubles the cap for visitor visa fees to £2,000 and establishes a new general category cap of £4,000 for any entry clearance application not specifically listed elsewhere.
6. Amendment of Article 6 (fees for applications, etc. for leave to remain, etc.)
In the table in article 6(2)— (a) in row 6.1 (fees for applications for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom), in the third column, for “£2,500” substitute “£5,000”; (b) in row 6.2 (fees for applications for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom), in the third column, for “£3,250” substitute “£5,000”.
This article significantly raises the upper limits for staying in the UK. The maximum fee for limited leave to remain is doubled to £5,000, and the cap for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residency) is increased from £3,250 to £5,000.
7. Amendment of Article 9 (fees for applications, etc. in connection with nationality)
In the table in article 9(2)— (a) in row 9.1 (fees for applications for naturalisation), in the third column, for “£1,500” substitute “£2,500”; (b) in row 9.2 (fees for applications for registration), in the third column, for “£1,500” substitute “£2,500”.
This section raises the maximum fees for becoming a British citizen.
The legal caps for both naturalisation (the process for adults) and registration (the process typically for children or those with existing ties) are increased to £2,500.
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