The Home Office increased most UK immigration and nationality fees on 8 April 2026. The changes affect almost every visa, settlement, and citizenship application, with increases ranging from £8 on a standard visit visa to £222 on certain settlement routes.
Below is a clear breakdown of the new fees for the routes that matter most, what has changed, and what you need to budget for if you are applying in 2026.
For the full official fee schedule, see the Home Office immigration and nationality fees table on GOV.UK.
How Much Have UK Immigration Fees Increased?
Most application fees have risen by between 3% and 7%. The increases apply to applications made both inside and outside the UK. Priority and super priority service fees remain unchanged at £500 and £1,000 respectively, as does the Life in the UK test fee at £50.
One notable exception: the fee for registering a child as a British citizen has dropped from £1,214 to £1,000, a reduction of £214. This follows a long campaign arguing the previous fee was disproportionately high.
Updated Fee Table: Key Application Routes
| Application | Old Fee | New Fee (8 April 2026) | Change |
| Spouse/Partner Visa (entry clearance, outside UK) | £1,938 | £2,064 | +£126 |
| FLR(M), spouse/partner extension (inside UK) | £1,321 | £1,407 | +£86 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £3,029 | £3,226 | +£197 |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1,605 | £1,709 | +£104 |
| Registration as British citizen (child) | £1,214 | £1,000 | −£214 |
| Skilled Worker Visa, up to 3 years (outside UK) | £769 | £819 | +£50 |
| Skilled Worker Visa, over 3 years (outside UK) | £1,519 | £1,618 | +£99 |
| Skilled Worker Visa, up to 3 years (inside UK) | £885 | £943 | +£58 |
| Skilled Worker Visa, over 3 years (inside UK) | £1,751 | £1,865 | +£114 |
| Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) | £127 | £135 | +£8 |
| Student Visa | £524 | £558 | +£34 |
| Graduate Route | £880 | £937 | +£57 |
| Settlement, dependent relative | £3,413 | £3,635 | +£222 |
These are Home Office application fees only. They do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), biometric enrolment fees, or any passport fees you may need to pay separately.
What Does This Mean for ILR Applicants?
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain now costs £3,226, up £197 from the previous fee of £3,029. This is the application fee alone. Most ILR applicants will also factor in the cost of the Life in the UK test (£50, unchanged) and any English language test fees.
For a family of two adults applying for ILR at the same time, the combined application fees alone now total £6,452 before any other costs.
What Does This Mean for Citizenship Applicants?
The naturalisation fee has risen to £1,709 (from £1,605). On top of this, applicants pay a separate £80 citizenship ceremony fee. The Life in the UK test (£50) and any English language testing costs are additional.
However, the child registration fee has been reduced to £1,000, a meaningful drop from the previous £1,214. This is the first significant reduction in this fee category in years.
If you are applying for citizenship following a successful ILR application, and you also need to renew or apply for a British passport, factor that cost in as a separate expense.
What Does This Mean for Sponsor Licence Holders?
Employers holding a sponsor licence also face higher fees. A large sponsor licence now costs £1,682 (up from £1,579), while a small or charitable sponsor pays £611 (up from £574). The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigning fee remains separate.
What Has Not Changed?
Several fees remain the same as before 8 April 2026:
- Priority service: £500
- Super priority service: £1,000
- Administrative review: £80
- Life in the UK test: £50
Plan Your Application Budget
With fees rising across almost every route, it pays to understand the full cost of your application before you start, not just the Home Office fee, but the IHS, biometric enrolment, English language tests, and any professional advice you may need.
If you are preparing an application and want clarity on the total cost and what is involved, book a consultation with Whytecroft Ford and we will assess your case and set out a clear plan.
