| UK Visa Fees: Key Takeaways |
| – Most UK visa and immigration fees rose by roughly 6–7% from 8 April 2026, affecting visitor, work, student and settlement routes. – The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was not part of the April 2026 increase and remains £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for the reduced-rate group. – A six-month Standard Visitor visa now costs £135; a Student visa costs £558; a Skilled Worker visa (up to three years) costs £819. – Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the most expensive single application at £3,226 per person. – Applications submitted before 8 April 2026 were charged at the older, lower rates — that window has now closed. – Visa fees and the IHS are paid separately and are both generally non-refundable, even if the application is refused. |
UK visa fees changed on 8 April 2026, when the Home Office raised most application charges by around 6 to 7 percent. Anyone planning to visit, study, work, join family, or settle in the United Kingdom needs to budget for two separate costs: the visa application fee itself, and, for most visas longer than six months, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This guide sets out the current fee for each major UK visa category, explains how the IHS works, and flags the costs that catch many applicants out.
UK Visa Fees by Category (From 8 April 2026)
The table below shows the main application fees that changed on 8 April 2026. Fees are charged in pounds sterling regardless of where the application is made, and the main applicant and any dependants are each charged separately — there is no group or family discount.
This allows them to access the National Health services while they are in the UK. If the parliament approves, this fee may be increased from December 2018.
| Visa / Application Type | Fee Before 8 Apr 2026 | Fee From 8 Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa (6 months) | £127 | £135 |
| Standard Visitor visa (2 years) | £475 | £506 |
| Standard Visitor visa (5 years) | £848 | £903 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 |
| Student visa (main applicant/dependant) | £524 | £558 |
| Skilled Worker visa (up to 3 years) | £769 | £819 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (employer fee) | £525 | £525 (frozen) |
| Leave to Remain (in-UK extension) | £1,321 | £1,407 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £3,029 | £3,226 |
| Naturalisation as a British citizen | £1,605 | £1,709 |
| Registration as a British citizen | £1,446 | £1,540 |
Two routes are worth noting separately. The Certificate of Sponsorship fee, paid by the employer rather than the applicant, was frozen at £525 in the April 2026 round after a sharp 32% rise in December 2025 — so it is unchanged this year but already higher than it was a year ago. Health and Care Worker visa fees remain lower than standard Skilled Worker fees and are exempt from the IHS, reflecting the route’s separate fee structure.
What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a separate charge from the visa fee itself. It applies to most applicants coming to the UK for more than six months — including students, workers, and family members — and gives access to the National Health Service on broadly the same basis as a UK resident. Visitors staying under six months do not pay it, and it must be paid even if the applicant already holds private medical insurance.
The IHS was not part of the April 2026 fee round and has stayed at the rate set previously. It is paid upfront for the full length of the visa being applied for, which means a five-year settlement route requires the surcharge to be paid in one lump sum at the time of application.
| Applicant Type | IHS Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard adult rate | £1,035 per year |
| Reduced rate (students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme, under-18s) | £776 per year |
| 5-year visa, standard rate, one applicant | £5,175 total |
| Health and Care Worker visa | Exempt |
Because the IHS is calculated per year of visa length and paid in full upfront, it can add up to a larger total cost than the visa application fee itself, particularly for longer work or settlement routes. A family applying together pays the surcharge separately for each person, including children.
How Much Does Each Type of UK Visa Cost in Total?
The total cost of a UK visa application is the visa fee plus the IHS (where it applies), plus any optional extras such as priority processing, biometric enrolment in some countries, or the Immigration Skills Charge paid by employers sponsoring Skilled Worker visas. For example, a Student visa applicant pays the £558 application fee plus the IHS at £776 per year for the length of the course — a three-year course would add £2,328 in surcharge alone, on top of the visa fee.
Readers comparing visa categories before deciding which route fits their situation may find it useful to read the Types of UK Visa guide, which sets out the different visa categories before fees are factored in.
Tips for Managing the Cost of a UK Visa Application
- Check both the visa fee and the IHS together — budgeting for the visa fee alone significantly understates the real cost for routes longer than six months.
- Submit complete, accurate applications the first time. Fees are generally non-refundable even if an application is refused, including the IHS.
- Confirm the fee for dependants separately. Partners and children each pay their own visa fee and, where applicable, their own IHS.
- Review the official GOV.UK fee schedule before applying, since fees are revised periodically and the figures in this guide reflect the 8 April 2026 update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did UK visa fees increase in 2026?
Yes. Most UK visa, settlement, citizenship and sponsorship fees increased by roughly 6 to 7 percent from 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before that date were charged at the previous, lower rates.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge separate from the visa fee?
Yes. The IHS is a separate charge paid alongside the visa application fee for most visas longer than six months. It funds access to NHS services and is paid upfront for the full length of the visa.
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026?
The standard rate is £1,035 per year for adults. A reduced rate of £776 per year applies to students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, and applicants under 18. These rates were unchanged by the April 2026 fee update.
Are UK visa fees refundable if my application is refused?
Generally no. Visa fees and the IHS are non-refundable even if the application is unsuccessful, which makes accuracy at the time of submission important.
Which UK visa fee is the highest?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the most expensive standard application at £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026, not including the IHS already paid during earlier visas on the route to settlement.
Do visa fees differ for applications made inside versus outside the UK?
Some routes do have different fees depending on where the application is made, particularly extensions and switches filed from inside the UK versus fresh applications from overseas. The GOV.UK fee schedule sets out the exact figure for each route and location.
Source
Home Office: UK visa fees — GOV.UK
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa fees and rules change periodically; always confirm current figures on the official GOV.UK website before applying.