The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has said that it intends to raise its fees for all applications from 6th April 2013.

Most fees will rise by 3% in line with inflation. The greatest increases will be for dependants of main applicants applying from within the UK.

At present, dependants applying from within the UK pay only 50% of the fees paid by the main applicant. This will rise to 75% of the main applicant's fee from 6th April.

This could mean hundreds of pounds in extra fees. For example, an application for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) currently costs £991 for a main applicant and £496 for a dependant. If the changes are introduced, then the cost for a main applicant will rise to £1021 – a rise of £30. But the fee for a dependant will rise to £766; a rise of £280.