The UK Home Office has updated its immigration and nationality fees, with most charges increasing from 9 April 2025. These changes aim to ensure the migration and borders system is largely funded by those who use it, rather than by the UK taxpayer.
The fee rises are generally moderate — around 6 to 7 per cent in many categories — though some routes see larger adjustments, while a few remain unchanged. This guide summarises the key fees for visas and applications made outside the UK, inside the UK, work, study, settlement, nationality, sponsorship, and optional premium services.
All figures are in British Pounds (£). Applicants should always check the official GOV.UK page for the most up‑to‑date details, as fees can change and additional costs (such as the Immigration Health Surcharge) may apply.
1. Entering and Staying in the UK: Visitor and Other Short‑Term Visas (Applications Outside the UK)
Visitor visas remain one of the most common entry routes. Fees have increased across most durations:
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Short visit visa (up to 6 months) | £115 | £127 | +£12 |
| Long visit visa (up to 2 years) | £432 | £475 | +£43 |
| Long visit visa (up to 5 years) | £771 | £848 | +£77 |
| Long visit visa (up to 10 years) | £963 | £1,059 | +£96 |
Other short‑term categories include:
- Visiting academic (6–12 months): £200 → £220 (+£20)
- Private medical treatment (6–11 months): £200 → £220 (+£20)
- Transit visas: Direct airside £35 → £39 (+£4); Landside £64 → £70 (+£6)
- Crew member visa: £64 → £70 (+£6)
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £10 → £16 (+£6)
Special routes such as Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas and certain settlement or Armed Forces dependant routes also saw increases.
Note: A lower fee of £127 applies to Chinese nationals applying in mainland China under the specific Chinese visa scheme.
2. Work Visas (Applications Outside the UK)
Work route fees vary significantly depending on the visa type, duration, and whether the role qualifies for reduced rates (e.g., Health and Care Visa or Immigration Salary List jobs).
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Skilled Worker (standard, CoS ≤ 3 years) | £719 | £769 | +£50 |
| Skilled Worker (CoS > 3 years) | £1,420 | £1,519 | +£99 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa (≤ 3 years) | £284 | £304 | +£20 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior/Specialist Worker (≤ 3 years) | £719 | £769 | +£50 |
| Global Business Mobility (> 3 years) | £1,420 | £1,519 | +£99 |
| Scale‑up or High Potential Individual | £822 | £880 | +£58 |
| Innovator Founder | £1,191 | £1,274 | +£83 |
| Global Talent (main applicant, with Approval Letter) | £192 | £205 | +£13 |
| Global Talent (no Approval Letter) | £716 | £766 | +£50 |
Most temporary worker routes (Seasonal, Creative, Charity, etc.) increased from £298 to £319 (+£21).
Endorsement fees for Innovator Founder (payable to endorsing body) remain at £1,000 (plus an optional £500 meeting fee).
3. Study Visas (Applications Outside the UK)
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Student visa (main applicant and dependants) | £490 | £524 | +£34 |
| Child Student | £490 | £524 | +£34 |
| Short‑term student (English language, 6–11 months) | £200 | £214 | +£14 |
4. Permanent Stay / Settlement in the UK
Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain or Enter) fees increased notably:
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (main applicants and dependants) | £2,885 | £3,029 | +£144 |
| Route to Settlement (general) | £1,846 | £1,938 | +£92 |
| Other dependant relative (Route to Settlement) | £3,250 | £3,413 | +£163 |
| Refugee dependant relative | £404 | £424 | +£20 |
| Victim of domestic abuse (or Armed Forces leaver routes) | £2,885 | £3,029 | +£144 |
These higher costs reflect the long‑term nature of settlement applications.
5. Applications Made Inside the UK
In‑country fees are generally higher than out‑of‑country equivalents to reflect processing differences.
Work routes (in UK):
| Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Skilled Worker (≤ 3 years) | £827 | £885 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker (> 3 years) | £1,636 | £1,751 | +£115 |
| Innovator Founder / Tier 1 Entrepreneur | £1,486 | £1,590 | +£104 |
| Graduate Route | £822 | £880 | +£58 |
Study routes (in UK):
- Student and Child Student: both £490 → £524 (+£34)
Other in‑country applications:
- Visitor Extension: £1,000 → £1,100 (+£100)
- Leave to Remain (Other): £1,258 → £1,321 (+£63)
Hong Kong BN(O) in‑country routes saw small increases.
6. Nationality and Citizenship Fees
Becoming a British citizen involves significant costs:
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Naturalisation as British citizen | £1,500 | £1,605 | +£105 |
| Citizenship ceremony fee (additional) | £130 | £130 | No change |
| Nationality registration (adult) | £1,351 | £1,446 | +£95 |
| Nationality registration (child) | £1,214 | £1,214 | No change |
| Renunciation of nationality | £450 | £482 | +£32 |
| Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode | £550 | £589 | +£39 |
Various administrative nationality services (status letters, corrections, reissues) also increased modestly.
7. Sponsorship and Employer Fees
Employers sponsoring workers or students face higher costs:
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee | Increase |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,476 | £1,579 | +£103 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 | £574 | +£38 |
| Student sponsor licence | £536 | £574 | +£38 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) / Sponsor a Worker (Skilled Worker / Minister of Religion / GBM Senior) | £239 | £525 | +£286 |
| Temporary Worker / Scale‑up CoS | £25 | £55 | +£30 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) | £25 | £55 | +£30 |
Premium sponsor services (12 months) remain unchanged at £25,000 (large) or £8,000 (small or student).
8. Optional Premium Services
Fast‑track and priority services are largely unchanged:
- Priority Visa (Settlement or Non‑Settlement): £500
- Super Priority: £1,000 (outside or inside UK)
Various premium status checks and on‑demand services also stayed the same.
Key Takeaways and Advice
| Consideration | Detail |
| General increases | Most fees rose by £10–£150, typically 6–8% |
| Larger jumps | Some routes, e.g., certain CoS fees, saw much higher increases |
| Reduced fees | Health and Care Visas and Immigration Salary List roles continue to benefit |
| No increases | Certain Global Talent, High Potential Individual, and some administrative services |
| Additional costs | Total costs can be substantially higher when including the Immigration Health Surcharge, biometrics, and legal/advisory fees |
Applicants and sponsors are advised to submit applications before 9 April 2025 where possible to benefit from current (lower) fees, provided all supporting documents are ready.
Always use the official GOV.UK visa fees tool or the full policy paper for your specific circumstances, as footnotes and exceptions (e.g., dependants, duration, location) can affect the exact amount.
For the complete tables and footnotes, visit the official Home Office document: Home Office immigration and nationality fees: 9 April 2025 (updated 18 March 2026).
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules and fees are subject to change. Consult a qualified immigration adviser or the Home Office for personalised guidance.
