Travelling to and settling in the United Kingdom is set to become more expensive, as the government has confirmed a broad increase in visa and immigration fees from April 8.
The changes will affect millions of applicants across multiple visa categories.
The UK Home Office has announced a wide range of fee hikes covering visa, settlement, and nationality applications. The revised charges will apply to both overseas and in-country applications across major immigration routes.
Officials say most visa categories will see moderate but consistent increases, typically ranging between £20 and £100 depending on the type and duration of the visa.
These increases will add to the overall cost of moving to or staying in the UK, especially when combined with the Immigration Health Surcharge, document expenses, and optional priority services.
Visitor visa costs go up
Short-term and long-term visitor visa fees will rise across all durations.
The standard six-month visit visa will increase from £127 to £135. Long-term visas will also become more expensive, rising to £506 for two years, £903 for five years, and £1,128 for ten years.
These visas are commonly used for tourism, business travel, and family visits, meaning the changes could impact a wide range of travelers.
Work visa fees see notable hikes
Work visa fees, particularly for Skilled Worker routes, are also set to increase.
Applications from outside the UK will rise to £819 for up to three years and £1,618 for longer stays. In-country applications will cost £943 and £1,865 respectively.
Health and Care visas will remain cheaper than standard Skilled Worker visas but will still increase to £324 for up to three years and £628 for longer durations.
Student visa and citizenship fees
Student visa fees will increase from £524 to £558 for both main applicants and dependents.
British citizenship fees are also being revised. Naturalisation will rise from £1,605 to £1,709, while adult registration will increase from £1,446 to £1,540.
However, there is one exception: the fee for registering a child as a British citizen will decrease from £1,214 to £1,000. A separate ceremony fee of £130 will still apply where required.
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee will also increase from £16 to £20, adding to travel costs for visa-free visitors. Transit visas will become more expensive as well, further increasing the cost of international travel to the UK.
Settlement applications, including Indefinite Leave to Remain, will also see fee increases, rising from £1,938 to £2,064.
Some fees remain unchanged
Despite widespread increases, certain charges will remain unchanged. Priority and super priority processing services will continue to cost £500 and £1,000 respectively.
Sponsorship-related fees will also stay the same, including the Certificate of Sponsorship (£525 for Skilled Workers, £55 for Temporary Workers) and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (£55).
Officials have advised that applicants who submit their visa requests before April 8, 2026, will still be charged under the current fee structure.
For many travellers and migrants, especially families and frequent visitors, applying early could result in significant savings.
