Denmark
New system for digital applications
The Danish Immigration Service and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) have announced that they are moving all digital application forms and invitation forms to a new IT system on newtodenmark.dk. Users can still complete their digital application or invitation in the old system.
The switch to the new system on newtodenmark.dk will take place gradually over the next three to four months. The authorities will move the digital application forms and invitation forms one by one.
When an applicant starts a new application or visa invitation, they should follow the instructions on the relevant application page on newtodenmark.dk.
Those who have already started filling out an application or visa invitation in the old system, can continue to fill out and submit the application or invitation in the old system for a period of time, following the instructions on the relevant application page on newtodenmark.dk and in the digital form.
The digital forms look different in the new system and they will work in a slightly different way. In the new system, applicants can log in and view their submitted digital application or visa invitation for up to 30 days after it has been submitted.
Another change is that for the two-part applications, employers or agents only need to provide the applicant’s email address to give them access to part two, and will thus no longer need to send the reference number and password to the applicant.
Finland
Automated decisions possible for researchers who apply for an extended permit
On 24 March 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will start issuing automated decisions on applications for extended permits for researchers.
An automated decision is a decision that the Finnish Immigration Service’s system automatically makes on an application. The processing of an application may involve automated steps and steps performed by Finnish Immigration Service specialists.
The system makes an automated decision only when this is possible under law, based on the rules formulated by the Finnish Immigration Service. The system uses these rules to check whether an application meets the requirements laid down in law. Only positive decisions are made automatically.
Applicants can receive an automated decision on their application if the following conditions are met:
- They are applying for an extended permit for a researcher in Finland.
- They have completed a master’s degree.
- They are at least 18 years old.
- They have an employment relationship with a Finnish research organisation.
- They will not participate in a mobility programme of the European Union while the permit they are applying for is valid.
- They have submitted their application online in Enter Finland.
- They have submitted the application on 19 March 2025 or later.
- They have filled in the application form with care and have submitted all the required information and attachments.
- They meet all the requirements for the residence permit. There is no need for case-by-case consideration due to, for example, granting an exemption from a requirement.
- No family members are applying for a residence permit together with the applicant.
- Their details are not subject to non-disclosure for personal safety reasons.
- They have not applied for or been granted international protection.
- They have not previously received a decision to deport them from Finland.
- There are no gaps between their hosting agreements.
For those who cannot get an automated decision on their application for an extended permit, a Finnish Immigration Service specialist will process the application and issue a decision on it.
United Kingdom
Application fees to increase from 9 April 2025
As proposed by the government on 16 January 2025, the Home Office has now published updated immigration and nationality fees which are due to take effect from 9 April 2025.
Many of the fees will increase, including those for visit, study and work routes, for naturalisation and for sponsorship by employers. There are no changes to optional premium services.
Some of the key fee increases for applications made outside the UK are listed below. Fees are also being increased for in-country applications.
Visit – applications made outside the UK
| Category | Current fee | Fee from 9 April 2025 |
| Visit visa – up to 6 months | £115 | £127 |
| Visit visa – up to 2 years | £432 | £475 |
| Visit visa – up to 5 years | £771 | £848 |
| Visit visa – up to 10 years | £963 | £1059 |
| Transit visa (direct airside transit) | £35 | £39 |
| Transit visit visa (landside transit) | £64 | £70 |
| Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) | £10 | £16 |
Work – applications made outside the UK
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 9 April 2025 |
| Skilled worker – 3 years or less | £719 | £769 |
| Skilled Worker – over 3 years | £1,420 | £1,519 |
| Skilled Worker – job on the Immigration Salary List, 3 years or less | £551 | £590 |
| Skilled Worker – job on the Immigration Salary List, over 3 years | £1084 | £1160 |
| Health and Care Visa – 3 years or less | £284 | £304 |
| Health and Care Visa – over 3 years | £551 | £590 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme | £298 | £319 |
| Global Business Mobility (GBM) – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years | £719 | £769 |
| GBM – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years | £1420 | £1519 |
| GBM – Graduate Trainee | £298 | £319 |
| GBM – Service Supplier | £298 | £319 |
| GBM – UK Expansion Worker | £298 | £319 |
| GBM – Secondment Worker | £298 | £319 |
| Scale-up | £822 | £880 |
| High Potential Individual | £822 | £880 |
| Innovator Founder | £1191 | £1274 |
| Start-up | £435 | £465 |
| Global Talent – Approval Letter required | £192 | £205 |
| Global Talent – Approval Letter not required | £716 | £766 |
Study – applications made outside the UK
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 9 April 2025 |
| Student | £490 | £524 |
| Child Student | £490 | £524 |
| Short term student studying English language | £200 | £214 |
Settlement and nationality
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 9 April 2025 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain | £2885 | £3029 |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1500 | £1605 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1000 | £1070 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult [footnote 5] | £1351 | £1446 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult | £901 | £964 |
Sponsorship
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 9 April 2025 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1,476 | £1,579 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 | £574 |
| Student sponsor licence | £536 | £574 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £536 | £574 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Skilled Worker, GBM Senior or Specialist Worker | £239 | £525 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, and Scale-up route | £25 | £55 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £25 | £55 |
