UK Visa Fees Set to Rise from April: What Visitors, Workers, and Students Need to Know

If you’re planning to visit, work, or study in the United Kingdom, there’s something important you need to know. Starting April 8, 2026, visa fees across multiple categories are going up — in some cases by more than £200.

   

The move comes as part of the UK government’s broader effort to manage immigration more tightly. In addition to fee hikes, authorities are introducing stricter rules for certain asylum seekers and migrants. Some measures are already stirring debate, such as offering up to £10,000 to failed asylum seekers willing to leave voluntarily, and withdrawing taxpayer-funded housing from migrants found working illegally.

Student visas are also affected. The government has activated an “emergency brake” specifically for applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, citing a recent surge in applications from these countries.

What’s Changing in Visitor Visa Fees

The new fee structure affects short-term and long-term visits differently. Here’s a snapshot:

• Short-term visits (up to six months): £127 → £135 (+£8)
• Two-year visits: £475 → £506 (+£31)
• Five-year visits: £848 → £903 (+£55)
• Ten-year visits: £1,059 → £1,128 (+£69)

If you’ve been planning a long-term visit or frequent trips, this is worth noting — the increases aren’t massive, but they add up quickly for multi-year visas.

Naturalisation and Settlement Fees

The path to British citizenship and permanent residency is also becoming more expensive:

• Naturalisation fees: £1,605 → £1,709
• Standard settlement visas: £1,938 → £2,064
• Care-related visas for relatives: £3,413 → £3,635 (+£222)
• Settlement for refugee-dependent relatives: £424 → £452 (+£28)

These updates affect both main applicants and dependants. Essentially, anyone planning a long-term move or family reunion in the UK should budget more for immigration costs in 2026.

Work Visa Fee Increases

The Skilled Worker visa — one of the most common routes for foreign professionals — will also cost more:

• Applications made outside the UK (up to three years): £769 → £819
• Longer-term work visas: Similar percentage increases apply

Both main applicants and dependants are impacted. So if you’re moving for a job, it’s worth factoring these extra fees into your relocation budget.

Student Visas Are Not Immune

For international students, the price of studying in the UK is rising too:

• Standard student visa: £524 → £558 (+£34)
• Graduate route visa: £880 → £937

Whether you’re coming for a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, or the post-study work route, your visa budget will need a small adjustment.

What This Means for Applicants

While none of these increases are game-changing on their own, the combined effect can be substantial if you are bringing dependants, applying for multiple visas, or pursuing long-term settlement.

The UK government clearly wants to manage immigration carefully while ensuring the system remains financially sustainable. For applicants, the takeaway is simple: plan ahead, budget extra, and factor in these changes before applying.

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