Citizenship Fee Increases: What Has Changed
Immigration fees change regularly, and citizenship is no exception. This guide tracks the latest fee changes, explains why fees are set at their current level, and helps you plan financially.
- Section
- British Citizenship
- Reading time
- 7 min
- Last checked
- 9 February 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Adult naturalisation: £1,839 — £1,709 to apply plus a £130 ceremony fee (check GOV.UK for the latest).
- Fees are set above administrative cost to fund the wider immigration system.
- Fee waivers are available for those in financial hardship.
- Applying sooner can protect against future fee increases.
British citizenship fees are reviewed annually. Adult naturalisation now costs £1,839: £1,709 to apply plus a £130 ceremony fee. Fees have risen significantly over the past decade. This guide explains the current fees, recent changes, and options if you cannot afford to pay.
Current Citizenship Fees
As of 2026, the key citizenship fees are:
- Adult naturalisation: £1,839 — £1,709 to apply plus the £130 ceremony fee
- Registration as a British citizen: £1,000 for a child, £1,540 for an adult (an adult also pays the £130 ceremony fee). Check GOV.UK for the current rate
- Renunciation of citizenship: £372
For a complete fee breakdown, see our citizenship costs guide.
How Fees Have Changed
Immigration fees have increased significantly over the past decade. For context, the adult naturalisation fee was around £200 in 2005. The fee is now roughly nine times that, far outpacing inflation.
Fee changes are announced through the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations, typically published alongside the annual budget or immigration fees order. The Home Office provides advance notice of changes on GOV.UK.
Why Fees Are High
The UK government sets immigration fees above the administrative cost of processing. This is an explicit policy: fees include a "migration and borders funding" element that helps fund the wider immigration system.
This policy has been controversial. In particular, child registration fees have been challenged in court. In the 2021 case of PRCBC v Secretary of State, the Supreme Court ruled that the fee must be assessed against the best interests of the child. This has led to the availability of fee waivers for children.
Planning for Fee Increases
If you are planning to apply for citizenship in the future:
- Apply when eligible: Do not delay unnecessarily. Fees tend to increase, so applying sooner saves money.
- Budget for multiple applications: If applying as a family, the total can be significant. Start saving early.
- Check for fee waivers: If you are in financial hardship, apply for a waiver before submitting your application.
- Monitor GOV.UK: Fee changes are announced in advance. Check periodically so you are not caught off guard.
Fee Waivers
Fee waivers are available for citizenship applications where the applicant cannot afford the fee. To qualify:
- You must demonstrate that paying the fee would leave you unable to meet essential living costs
- Provide evidence of your financial circumstances (bank statements, benefit letters, etc.)
- Submit the fee waiver application before the main citizenship application
For full details, see our fee waiver guide.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Have citizenship fees increased in 2026?
Citizenship fees are reviewed annually alongside all immigration fees. Any changes are announced through the immigration fees order, typically published in the spring. Check GOV.UK for the most current fee schedule.
Why are citizenship fees so high?
The UK government sets citizenship fees above the administrative cost of processing. The excess is used to fund the wider immigration system. This policy has been criticised, particularly for child registration fees, which have been the subject of legal challenges.
Will fees continue to rise?
Historically, immigration fees have increased regularly. While future changes depend on government policy, it is reasonable to budget for potential increases if you plan to apply in the future. Applying sooner rather than later can avoid paying a higher fee.
Is there financial help available?
Yes. Fee waivers are available for applicants who cannot afford the fee. You must demonstrate that paying would leave you unable to meet essential living costs. The fee waiver application is free and submitted before the main application.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.