As of April 2025, the UK government has introduced several significant changes to its immigration policies:

• Increased Visa Fees:

The Home Office has raised fees across various visa categories. For instance, the Skilled Worker visa over three years has increased from £1,420 to £1,519, and the Naturalisation (British citizenship) fee has risen from £1,500 to £1,605.

• Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):

From 2 April 2025, nationals from visa-exempt countries, including EU member states, are required to obtain an ETA before traveling to the UK. The application process is online, and the ETA is valid for multiple entries over two years.

• Asylum Policy Reforms:

The UK is in discussions with France to establish a returns agreement for asylum seekers. The government also plans to set up “return hubs” in countries like Albania and Serbia to process failed asylum seekers abroad.

These changes reflect the UK’s ongoing efforts to manage immigration effectively and ensure border security.