UK Visa Fees 2026: The Complete Guide Including the Hidden Cost Most Applicants Miss
UK visa fees went up on 8 April 2026. But the fee increase is not the biggest financial shock waiting for most applicants. The bigger issue is discovering that the visa fee is only part of what you actually owe.
Most applicants planning to stay in the UK for longer than six months must pay two separate costs at the same time: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is not a small add-on. For a spouse visa, it adds £3,105 on top of the £2,064 application fee, bringing the real upfront cost to £5,169 before a single extra expense is added.
Visit visa applicants pay no IHS. But anyone coming on a student, skilled worker, spouse, or settlement route usually pays both, and many people only find out when they reach the payment screen.
This guide shows you every current fee, what changed on 8 April 2026, and the real total you will pay once everything is added up.
Check the Exact Home Office Fee Before You Pay
Use the official calculator immediately before submission because fees can change and totals vary by country, route and length of permission.
Quick Answer, How Much Does a UK Visa Cost in 2026?
UK visa fees range from £135 for a standard visitor visa to £3,226 for Indefinite Leave to Remain. But for most routes lasting longer than six months, the Immigration Health Surcharge, a separate mandatory payment of £1,035 per year per adult, is charged on top of the application fee at the same time.
The real cost of a UK visa in 2026 is:
Application fee + (IHS rate × years of visa) = what you actually pay upfront
- Spouse visa: £2,064 + £3,105 IHS = £5,169 total
- Student visa, 3 years: £558 + £2,328 IHS = £2,886 total
- Skilled Worker, 5 years: £1,618 + £5,175 IHS = £6,793 total
Visit visas carry no IHS. Settlement applicants pay no IHS at the settlement stage. Most other long-term routes involve both the application fee and IHS.
The Hidden Cost Nobody Warns You About, The Immigration Health Surcharge
When you apply for a UK visa lasting longer than six months, you do not just pay the visa application fee. You pay two separate charges upfront through the same online system.
- The visa application fee, pays for the Home Office to process your application.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge, pays for access to the NHS during your stay.
The IHS is not optional. It is not a deposit. It is generally not refunded if you leave the UK early. It is charged per person, per year, with part-years rounded under the IHS calculation rules.
| IHS category | Current rate |
|---|---|
| Adult, most routes | £1,035 per year |
| Student, student dependant, child under 18, Youth Mobility Scheme | £776 per year |
The IHS has not changed since February 2024, when it rose from £624 to £1,035. It did not increase in April 2026, but it remains the single largest hidden cost in many visa applications.
Practical insight: The IHS rate that applies is the rate in force when you submit and pay for the application. Budget for the IHS before you start, not when the payment screen appears.
Who pays no IHS?
- Health and Care Worker visa applicants and eligible dependants
- ILR and settlement applicants at the settlement stage
- Visitor visa holders
- Asylum seekers and certain protection applicants
- Diplomats and visiting armed forces in relevant categories
Total visa cost formula: Application Fee + (IHS Rate × Years of Visa)
Example 1: Spouse visa entry clearance, 2 years 9 months rounded to 3 years for IHS: £2,064 + £3,105 = £5,169.
Example 2: Student visa, 3-year course: £558 + £2,328 = £2,886.
Example 3: Skilled Worker, 5 years, outside UK: £1,618 + £5,175 = £6,793.
For full IHS guidance including exemptions and the refund process, see our complete IHS guide.
The visa fee is what you see on the Home Office website. The IHS is what surprises you on the payment screen. Budget for both before you start.
What Changed on 8 April 2026, and What Did Not?
Most UK visa fees increased on 8 April 2026. Settlement and family routes saw the biggest cash rises. But one fee went down, and the IHS did not change.
| Fee | Previous rate | Rate from 8 April 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit visa, up to 6 months | £127 | £135 | +£8 |
| Visit visa, up to 2 years | £475 | £506 | +£31 |
| Visit visa, up to 5 years | £848 | £903 | +£55 |
| Visit visa, up to 10 years | £1,059 | £1,128 | +£69 |
| Spouse/partner, outside UK | £1,938 | £2,064 | +£126 |
| Spouse/partner, in UK extension | £1,321 | £1,407 | +£86 |
| Student visa | £524 | £558 | +£34 |
| Skilled Worker, up to 3 years, outside UK | £769 | £819 | +£50 |
| Skilled Worker, over 3 years, outside UK | £1,519 | £1,618 | +£99 |
| Skilled Worker, up to 3 years, in UK | £885 | £943 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker, over 3 years, in UK | £1,751 | £1,865 | +£114 |
| Graduate visa | £880 | £937 | +£57 |
| Scale-up visa | £880 | £937 | +£57 |
| ILR, in UK | £3,029 | £3,226 | +£197 |
| Naturalisation | £1,605 | £1,709 | +£104 |
| Child citizenship registration | £1,214 | £1,000 | −£214 |
| ETA | £16 | £20 | +£4 |
| Priority service | £500 | £500 | No change |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 | £1,000 | No change |
| CoS, Skilled Worker | £525 | £525 | No change |
| Administrative Review | £80 | £80 | No change |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | No change |
The one fee that went down: Child citizenship registration decreased from £1,214 to £1,000, a saving of £214 per child. This is the only fee in the 8 April 2026 schedule in this guide that went down.
Rate history, most common fees
| Fee | Pre-April 2025 | April 2025 | April 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit visa, 6 months | £115 | £127 | £135 |
| Student visa | £490 | £524 | £558 |
| Spouse, entry clearance | £1,846 | £1,938 | £2,064 |
| ILR | £2,885 | £3,029 | £3,226 |
| Naturalisation | £1,500 | £1,605 | £1,709 |
| ETA | £10 | £16 | £20 |
| CoS, Skilled Worker | £239 | £525 | £525 |
The Certificate of Sponsorship fee for Skilled Workers jumped from £239 to £525 in April 2025. It did not rise again in 2026. The Electronic Travel Authorisation has doubled since launch. Naturalisation has risen significantly in twelve months.
Complete UK Visa Fee Tables by Route, 2026
UK visa fees now range from £135 for a short visit to £3,226 for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The exact amount depends on your route, how long you need, and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.
Visitor visa fees
Visitor visas carry no IHS. You should carry private travel insurance because visitors can be charged for NHS treatment.
| Visit visa | Fee from 8 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Standard visit, up to 6 months | £135 |
| Long-term visit, up to 2 years | £506 |
| Long-term visit, up to 5 years | £903 |
| Long-term visit, up to 10 years | £1,128 |
| Visiting academic, 6–12 months | £234 |
| Private medical treatment visa | £234 |
| Transit visa, airside | £41.50 |
| Transit visa, landside | £74.50 |
For the full visit visa cost breakdown and long-term visa comparison, see our visit visa fees guide.
Spouse, partner and family visa fees
| Route | Fee from 8 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Spouse/partner, entry clearance from outside UK | £2,064 |
| Spouse/partner, FLR extension in UK | £1,407 |
| Adult Dependent Relative, outside UK | £3,635 |
| Route to Settlement, refugee dependant | £452 |
| ILR, domestic abuse victim | £3,226 |
For the complete breakdown of spouse visa costs across the full 5-year route including IHS, see our spouse visa fees guide.
Student visa fees
| Route | Fee from 8 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Student visa, outside UK | £558 |
| Student visa, in UK extension | £558 |
| Child Student | £558 |
| Short-term English language study, 6–11 months | £228 |
For full student visa costs including IHS and course length calculations, see our student visa fees guide.
Skilled Worker and work visa fees
For most routes, applying from outside the UK is cheaper than extending from inside. The Skilled Worker visa costs £819 from abroad but £943 for an in-country application up to 3 years.
| Route | Outside UK | In UK |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, up to 3 years | £819 | £943 |
| Skilled Worker, over 3 years | £1,618 | £1,865 |
| Skilled Worker, Immigration Salary List, up to 3 years | £628 | £628 |
| Skilled Worker, Immigration Salary List, over 3 years | £1,235 | £1,235 |
| Health and Care Worker, up to 3 years | £324 | £324 |
| Health and Care Worker, over 3 years | £628 | £628 |
| Temporary Work | £340 | £340 |
| Global Talent | £766 | £766 |
| Scale-up | £937 | £937 |
| Graduate visa | N/A, in UK only | £937 |
| Innovator Founder | £1,357 | £1,693 |
| High Potential Individual | £880 | £880 |
| International Sportsperson, up to 12 months | £340 | £340 |
| International Sportsperson, over 12 months | £819 | £943 |
| Global Business Mobility, Senior/Specialist, up to 3 years | £819 | £943 |
| Global Business Mobility, Senior/Specialist, over 3 years | £1,618 | £1,865 |
| Global Business Mobility, Graduate Trainee | £340 | £340 |
The Graduate visa, also called the Post-Study Work visa, is only available as an in-country application. The Health and Care Worker visa carries a full IHS exemption for the main applicant and eligible dependants.
For the full Skilled Worker visa cost breakdown including IHS, employer costs, and Certificate of Sponsorship fees, see our Skilled Worker visa fees guide. For PSW and Graduate visa costs including IHS, see our Graduate visa fees guide.
Settlement and citizenship fees
| Route | Fee from 8 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Indefinite Leave to Remain, in UK | £3,226 |
| Route to Settlement, outside UK | £2,064 |
| Naturalisation, British citizenship | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 |
| Child citizenship registration | £1,000 |
| Adult nationality registration as British citizen | £1,540 |
For the complete ILR cost breakdown, see our ILR fees guide. For naturalisation costs including ceremony fees, see our naturalisation fees guide.
What Is the Real Total Cost of a UK Visa, Including Everything?
The application fee and IHS are the two biggest items, but they are not the only ones. Extras add up fast, and most applicants underestimate them.
| Cost item | Amount | When required |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | See tables above | All applicants |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035/year adult, £776/year student or child | Most applicants staying over 6 months |
| Priority service | £500 | Optional, 5 working day target |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 | Optional, next working day after biometrics |
| TB test | Usually around £50–£100 depending on country and clinic | Applicants from listed countries, entry clearance only |
| English language test | Often around £150–£250 depending on provider | Applicants required to prove English ability |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | ILR and naturalisation applicants |
| Biometric enrolment | Free or paid depending on appointment type | In-country applicants |
| Document translation | Varies by provider and length | Non-English/Welsh documents |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 | Naturalisation applicants |
| Legal/solicitor fees | Varies by complexity | Optional |
UKVCAS is the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services centre where in-country applicants enrol biometrics. A Secure English Language Test is an approved English test required for many visa routes.
Family of four, Skilled Worker, 5-year visa, outside UK
- Main applicant: £1,618 application fee + £5,175 IHS = £6,793
- Adult dependant: £1,618 application fee + £5,175 IHS = £6,793
- Child 1: £1,618 application fee + £3,880 IHS = £5,498
- Child 2: £1,618 application fee + £3,880 IHS = £5,498
Family total, fees and IHS only: £24,582
Plus TB tests, English tests, translations, paid appointment costs where selected, and legal fees where used.
A family of four on a 5-year Skilled Worker visa now faces over £24,000 in visa fees and IHS alone before a single extra cost is added.
When Do You Pay the New Fee Versus the Old Fee?
The fee locks when your application is submitted and payment is confirmed, not when the decision arrives.
| Situation | Fee position |
|---|---|
| Application submitted and payment confirmed on or before 7 April 2026 | Old rates apply, even if the decision comes later |
| Application submitted and payment confirmed on or after 8 April 2026 | New rates apply |
| Application started before 8 April but submitted after | New rates apply, starting the form does not lock the fee |
| Application submitted before 8 April, rejected as invalid, and resubmitted after 8 April | New rates apply on resubmission |
The fee locks when you pay, not when you decide. Starting an application before 8 April 2026 and submitting it after means you pay the new rate.
If you pay the wrong amount, UKVI can reject your application as invalid before considering the documents. Always verify using the official calculator immediately before payment.
Are UK Visa Fees Refundable If Your Application Is Refused?
No. UK visa application fees are generally not refunded if your application is refused, withdrawn after processing has started, or you change your mind.
You are paying for the Home Office to process your case, not to approve it. Processing happens regardless of outcome.
Priority and Super Priority fees are for speed, not success. Refusing your visa is not a reason for a refund of the application fee.
IHS refunds are different. The IHS is refundable in certain circumstances, including where a visa application is refused or withdrawn before a decision. For full IHS refund guidance, see our IHS refund guide.
How Much Do Employers and Sponsors Pay?
Employers who sponsor overseas workers face costs that go beyond the visa application fee paid by the worker. These costs fall on the employer.
Sponsor licence fees, from 8 April 2026
| Sponsor licence type | Small/charitable sponsor | Medium/large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Worker sponsor licence | £611 | £1,682 |
| Student sponsor licence | £611 | £611 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £611 | £611 |
| Priority sponsor licence processing | £750 | £750 |
Certificate of Sponsorship fees
| CoS type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker / T2 Minister of Religion / GBM Senior Specialist Worker | £525 |
| Temporary Worker / Scale-up / GBM Graduate Trainee / Expansion Worker | £55 |
| International Sportsperson, over 12 months | £525 |
| International Sportsperson, up to 12 months | £55 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, Student | £55 |
The Immigration Skills Charge is an additional levy paid by sponsors when assigning a Skilled Worker CoS. It is paid upfront for the full sponsorship period and is separate from the CoS fee and the worker's application fee. Verify current rates on GOV.UK before calculating total sponsorship costs.
Employer warning: The sponsor licence, Certificate of Sponsorship and Immigration Skills Charge are all employer-side costs. Calculate all three before committing to an overseas hire.
Who Can Get a UK Visa Fee Exemption or Waiver?
Exemptions are narrow. They do not apply to most work or student routes.
- Health and Care Worker visa applicants and eligible dependants are exempt from IHS, although application fees still apply.
- Asylum seekers and humanitarian protection applicants may fall into no-fee or exempt categories depending on the application.
- Victims of modern slavery or human trafficking applying for discretionary leave may be exempt in certain situations.
- Diplomats and visiting armed forces may be exempt where not subject to immigration control.
- EU Settlement Scheme applications are free, although the scheme is now largely closed to new applicants.
A fee waiver covering both the application fee and IHS may be available for specific in-country human rights and family applications under Appendix FM. The test is strict and usually requires evidence that the applicant cannot afford the fee after meeting essential living needs, or that payment would breach protected rights or cause exceptional hardship.
Many people assume fee waivers are available because the fees are unaffordable. The legal test is not ordinary hardship. It is much stricter and evidence-heavy.
Why Do UK Visa Fees Keep Increasing?
Increases have followed a clear pattern since 2023: large application fee rises, then the 2024 IHS increase, then application fee increases again in April 2025 and April 2026.
The Home Office’s position is that the immigration system should operate on a user-pays model. Fees are designed to fund the wider immigration and borders system, not just the processing cost of a single application.
From the applicant’s perspective, the cost can feel disproportionate, especially where applicants also work in the UK and pay income tax and National Insurance. The House of Commons Library has repeatedly highlighted how immigration fees and the health surcharge often cost applicants thousands of pounds.
UK visa costs are no longer occasional increases, they are a pattern. If you delay your application, you should expect to check the fee again before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Visa Fees
Most did, but child citizenship registration dropped from £1,214 to £1,000, priority services stayed at £500 and £1,000, and CoS fees did not change again. Administrative Review and the Life in the UK test also remained the same.
Yes, if your visa lasts longer than six months and you are not exempt. The visa application fee and the IHS are two separate payments made through the same online system. Visit visa applicants pay no IHS.
A spouse visa costs £2,064 from outside the UK or £1,407 to extend from inside, plus IHS of £1,035 per year on top. A standard 2-year-9-month spouse visa totals around £5,169 with IHS before ancillary costs.
No. The IHS did not change on 8 April 2026. It remains £1,035 per year for most adults and £776 for students, student dependants, children under 18, and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants.
Indefinite Leave to Remain costs £3,226 from 8 April 2026. No IHS is payable at the settlement stage.
A UK student visa costs £558 from 8 April 2026. IHS is additional at £776 per year, bringing a typical three-year course to around £2,886 in total.
The old fee applies if the application was submitted and paid before 8 April 2026. Payment confirmation date determines the rate, not decision date.
The application fee is not normally refunded if you are refused. The IHS is different and is generally refunded when a visa application is refused.
British citizenship by naturalisation costs £1,709 from 8 April 2026. A citizenship ceremony fee of £130 is added where the oath is taken at a local authority ceremony. Child citizenship registration decreased to £1,000.
A standard short visit visa costs £135 for up to 6 months. Long-term options cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, or £1,128 for 10 years. No IHS applies to visit visas.
No. The full application fee and IHS must be paid upfront at submission. There is no Home Office instalment plan, deferral, or financing option.
A Skilled Worker visa costs £819 from outside the UK for up to 3 years, or £1,618 for over 3 years. IHS adds £1,035 per year on top. A 5-year Skilled Worker visa for a single applicant costs £6,793 in fees and IHS combined.
The Graduate visa, also known as the Post-Study Work visa, costs £937 for the application fee. IHS is charged on top at £1,035 per year for most adult applicants.
UK Visa Fees in 2026 Are Measured in Thousands, Budget the Full Picture Before You Start
The fee you see on the Home Office website is not always what you pay. For many visas lasting longer than six months, the IHS is charged on top, and for many applicants, it costs more than the visa fee itself.
A spouse visa applicant pays £5,169 before extras. A family of four on a Skilled Worker visa can face over £24,000 in fees and IHS alone.
Budget the application fee, the IHS, and the ancillary costs before the journey begins, not after the payment screen tells you the real number.
The visa fee is what you see. The IHS is what you owe. Know both before you apply.
Complex Route or Family Application?
If your costs involve dependants, employer sponsorship, fee waiver issues, refunds or previous refusals, KQ Solicitors can advise before you commit to non-refundable fees.
- Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees, 8 April 2026
- Immigration Health Surcharge, GOV.UK current rates and refund rules
- Home Office Fee Calculator, official fee checking tool
- Immigration Skills Charge, GOV.UK employer sponsorship guidance
- UK Visas and Immigration, Sponsor a Worker guidance
- House of Commons Library, UK immigration fees research briefing
- GOV.UK, visa, immigration and citizenship application refund guidance