The Home Office has increased the fees for most types of visas, including the ‘Skilled Worker’ visa used by most workers from outside the UK in construction.
- For those applying for a visa from outside the UK, the fee is £719 for up to three years and £1,420 for more than three years.
- For those already in the UK extending, switching or updating their visa, the fee is £827 for up to three years and £1,500 for more than three years.
- For occupations on the Shortage Occupations List, the fee is £551 for up to three years and £1,084 for more than three years, regardless of whether applying from in or outside the UK.
From early 2024, the fine for employing illegal workers will increase from £15,000 to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first offence and from £20,000 to £60,000 for repeated offences. Depending on the individual, employers have the following options for ensuring they have right to work in the UK: a digital check via a certified Identity Service Provider, an online check via the Home Office online service, or an in‐person manual document‐based check.