The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has unveiled proposed fee increases for visas and applications made from within the UK. The new fees will come into effect from 6 April 2012, subject to parliamentary approval.

Under the proposed changes, the fees will increase from £310 to £500 for small sponsors and charities, whilst the cost of a large sponsor licence will jump from £1,025 to £1,500.

A new optional premium customer service will also take effect in April, and will cost £25,000 per year. The proposals also include a more limited premium service for small sponsors, which will cost £8,000  per year.

Despite the price rises above, the majority of increases are very small. Fees paid by dependants for applications made within the UK will remain at their current level of 50% of a main applicant's fee.

However, notable fee increases are as follows:

• Tier 1 General Extensions will increase by 50% from £1,000 to £1,500
• Tier 2 visas will increase from £400 to £480
• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers for less than 12 months will increase from £350 to £400

Information provided by Kingsley Napley. For further information, visit the UKBA website.