UK Visa Application Fees 2026
UK immigration fees are revised each year. Additionally, applicants often pay separately for the IHS, biometrics, English language tests, the Life in the UK Test and optional priority services. This guide sets out the UK visa, settlement and citizenship fees, both current and upcoming in October 2026.
Seven things to know about UK visa fees in 2026
How are UK visa fees structured in 2026?
UK visa and immigration fees fall into three main categories: the application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and ancillary charges for priority processing and biometrics. All applicable fees must be paid in full online before the Home Office processes an application.
What the applicant pays for
- Application fee: The main Home Office charge for processing a visa, settlement, or citizenship application. The amount varies by route, length of grant, and whether the application is made from inside or outside the UK.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): An NHS access charge of £1,035 per adult per year, payable in full upfront for the entire duration of the visa.
- Biometrics: Fingerprint and photograph capture at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS), TLSContact or VFS centre.
- Priority services: Optional. The standard priority service costs £500 for a 5-working-day decision; the super-priority service costs £1,000 for a next-working-day decision for in-country applications.
- English language tests: Secure English Language Test (SELT) fees of £150 to £230 per test, where the route requires one.
- Life in the UK Test: £50, payable at booking. Required for most Indefinite Leave to Remain and naturalisation applications.
Where fees are paid
- The application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are paid online when you submit your immigration application through the GOV.UK website.
- Biometric appointments are paid for via the visa application centre.
- Test fees, for the English language test, the TB test and the Life in the UK Test, are paid directly to the approved third-party providers.
Home Office fees change periodically, usually following annual reviews in April or October, and sometimes mid-year through Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules. The Home Office published its 8 October 2026 fee table on 10 September 2026 confirming no change from the 8 April 2026 schedule; every figure in this guide reflects that confirmed position. Always verify the current fee on the GOV.UK Visa Regulations Revised Table before submitting an application. An application submitted with an incorrect fee amount may be treated as incomplete.
Visitor visa fees
A Standard Visitor Visa allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term study. Fees scale with the validity period chosen. Full details on the visitor routes we assist with are on our visit and short-term visas hub.
| Visitor visa | Validity | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | 6 months single entry | £135 | £135 |
| Standard Visitor Visa (long-term) | 2 years multiple entry | £506 | £506 |
| Standard Visitor Visa (long-term) | 5 years multiple entry | £903 | £903 |
| Standard Visitor Visa (long-term) | 10 years multiple entry | £1,128 | £1,128 |
| Marriage Visitor Visa | 6 months single entry | £135 | £135 |
| Transit visa | Landside / Direct Airside | £74.50 / £41.50 | £74.50 / £41.50 |
| Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor | 1 month | £135 | £135 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | 2 years multiple entry, up to 6 months per visit | £20 | £20 |
Visitor visas do not attract the Immigration Health Surcharge. The visit is short-term and visitors do not have access to NHS services beyond emergency care during their stay.
Family visa fees
Family route fees apply to spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé, and child applications made under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Fees differ depending on whether the application is made from outside the UK as entry clearance or from within the UK as a switch or extension. The applicant can read more about the eligibility requirements and application process on our family visas hub.
| Application | Where applied | Length of grant | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse / partner / fiancé visa | Outside UK | 33 months | £2,064 | £2,064 |
| Spouse / partner / fiancé visa | Inside UK (switching) | 30 months | £1,407 | £1,407 |
| Further Leave to Remain (FLR(M)) extension | Inside UK | 30 months | £1,407 | £1,407 |
| Parent of a child route | Outside UK | 33 months | £2,064 | £2,064 |
| Parent of a child route | Inside UK | 30 months | £1,407 | £1,407 |
| Child as dependant | Outside UK | Same as main applicant | £2,064 | £2,064 |
| Child as dependant | Inside UK | Same as main applicant | £1,407 | £1,407 |
| Adult dependent relative | Outside UK | Indefinite (settlement) | £3,635 | £3,635 |
What the family visa fee covers
The application fee covers the Home Office's processing of the application. It does not include the Immigration Health Surcharge, the biometric appointment, any required English language test, or priority services. Each of those is charged separately.
Each dependant on a family route application pays the full visa fee. There is no family group discount. A couple applying with two children faces four sets of application fees plus four separate Immigration Health Surcharge payments. The IHS rate for children is £776 per year rather than £1,035, but the application fee is the same as the main applicant's.
To discuss your family visa application and plan the costs involved, call Whytecroft Ford on 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
Skilled Worker and other work route fees
Skilled Worker Visa fees vary by the length of grant, whether the role appears on the Immigration Salary List, and whether the applicant qualifies for the Health and Care Worker reduced fee. Full details on the Skilled Worker route are on our work and business visas hub.
| Application | Where applied | Length | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | Outside UK | Up to 3 years | £819 | £819 |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Outside UK | Over 3 years | £1,618 | £1,618 |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Inside UK | Up to 3 years | £943 | £943 |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Inside UK | Over 3 years | £1,865 | £1,865 |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | Outside UK | Up to 3 years | £324 | £324 |
| Health and Care Worker Visa | Outside UK | Over 3 years | £628 | £628 |
| Innovator Founder Visa | Outside UK | 3 years | £1,357 | £1,357 |
| Innovator Founder Visa | Inside UK | 3 years | £1,693 | £1,693 |
| Scale-up Visa | Outside UK | 2 years | £937 | £937 |
| Global Talent Visa | Outside UK | Up to 5 years | £766 | £766 |
| Skilled Worker dependant | Same as main applicant | Same as main | Same as main | Same as main |
Health and Care Worker fee reduction
Roles on the eligible health and care list pay reduced application fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The exemption applies to the main applicant and dependants on the Health and Care Worker Visa. Not all healthcare roles qualify; the GOV.UK eligibility list should be checked before applying under this route.
Sponsor-side costs
Employers sponsoring overseas workers pay separate charges that are not part of the applicant's fee. These include a sponsor licence fee (£611 for small or charitable sponsors, £1,682 for medium or large organisations), a Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525 per Skilled Worker hire), and the Immigration Skills Charge (typically £480 per year for small or charitable sponsors, £1,320 per year for medium or large organisations). These are employer costs. Some employers pass part or all of these charges to the worker by agreement, which is a matter for the employment contract rather than the Immigration Rules.
For guidance on Skilled Worker applications, call Whytecroft Ford on 0208 757 5751 or complete our online enquiry form.
Student and Graduate visa fees
Student Visa fees are lower than work route fees. The Graduate Visa fee applies when transitioning to post-study work on completion of a qualifying course. Both routes attract the Immigration Health Surcharge at the student rate of £776 per year.
| Application | Where | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | Outside UK | £558 | £558 |
| Student Visa | Inside UK | £558 | £558 |
| Graduate Visa | Inside UK only | £937 | £937 |
| Child Student Visa | Outside UK | £558 | £558 |
| Student dependant | Same as main applicant | £558 | £558 |
| Short-term Student (English language) | Outside UK | £228 | £228 |
Students pay a reduced Immigration Health Surcharge rate of £776 per year, rather than the standard £1,035. This reduced rate applies to both the main Student Visa applicant and any dependants on the Student route.
Settlement (ILR) fees
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the settled status granted after the qualifying period on most routes. ILR fees are higher than visa application fees, but no Immigration Health Surcharge applies once settlement is granted, as the applicant no longer holds limited leave. Further details on eligibility and requirements are on our settlement and ILR hub.
| ILR application | Notes | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse / partner / family route ILR | 5 years on the family route | £3,226 | £3,226 |
| Skilled Worker ILR | 5 years on the Skilled Worker Visa | £3,226 | £3,226 |
| Long residence ILR | 10 years continuous lawful residence | £3,226 | £3,226 |
| Points-Based System dependant ILR | Family member of a work route holder | £3,226 | £3,226 |
| No Time Limit (NTL) / transfer of ILR to an eVisa | Confirming existing settled status, e.g. moving from a BRP to an eVisa | Free | Free |
The ILR fee is uniform across the family, work and long-residence routes Whytecroft Ford handles. The figure above applies whether the applicant is settling after five years on a spouse visa, five years on a Skilled Worker visa, or ten years of continuous lawful residence.
Our team reviews your residence record, English language evidence, Life in the UK Test, and financial position ahead of submission to identify any gaps early.
British citizenship and nationality fees
British citizenship is acquired by naturalisation or by registration. Both carry a Home Office application fee. For naturalisation, the £130 citizenship ceremony fee is added to the application fee and paid when you apply. Full eligibility requirements are on our British citizenship hub.
| Citizenship application | Notes | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalisation as British citizen (Form AN) | Adult; settled applicants may apply after holding ILR for 12 months | £1,709 | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony fee | Added to the naturalisation fee and paid at the point of applying | £130 | £130 |
| Registration as British citizen (Form MN1) | Child under 18 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Registration as British citizen (adult by entitlement) | Form B(OS), B(OTA), and other adult registration routes | £1,540 | £1,540 |
| Registration as a British overseas territories citizen (adult) | Adult applicants | £1,027 | £1,027 |
| British passport (adult, applied online) | Once citizenship is granted (HM Passport Office fee) | £102 online | £102 online |
The ceremony fee
The £130 citizenship ceremony fee is added to the naturalisation application fee and paid at the point of applying, rather than separately to the local council afterwards. A successful adult applicant then attends a citizenship ceremony, arranged through the local council, to take the oath of allegiance.
Children's registration fee
Child registration as a British citizen (Form MN1) sits at £1,000, one of the few fees lower than its pre-April 2026 level. Some categories of registration are entitlement-based and may not be refused where the criteria are met; others are subject to the Home Secretary's discretion. The £130 ceremony fee does not normally apply to a child, but it is charged if the applicant turns 18 during processing.
Other nationality service fees
The following nationality service fees, confirmed unchanged for 8 October 2026.
| Service | Current fee | Fee from 8 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Renunciation of nationality | £513 | £513 |
| Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (in the UK) | £589 | £589 |
| Nationality review | £513 | £513 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £489 | £489 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £489 | £489 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £456 | £456 |
| Nationality – certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £456 | £456 |
| Nationality reissued certificate | £456 | £456 |
Common myths about UK visa fees
Six misconceptions that come up regularly, none of which repeat the FAQs further down this guide.
Paying the visa fee means the application will be approved.
The fee pays for the Home Office to process and decide the application. It does not affect the outcome. Approval depends on meeting the requirements of the route applied under, and the fee is retained whether the decision is a grant or a refusal.
Using an immigration adviser means paying a separate, higher "agent" visa fee to the Home Office.
The Home Office application fee is fixed by route and length of grant. It is exactly the same whether the applicant submits directly or through a regulated adviser. What an adviser charges for their own professional service is separate, quoted independently, and never added to or blended with the statutory fee.
Fees only ever change in April or October, so a fee checked between those dates is safe to rely on.
April and October are the Home Office's two scheduled review points, but fees can also move mid-year through a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. The figure that matters is the one in force on the day the application is submitted, not the one last checked.
Extending a visa only requires paying the Immigration Health Surcharge for the additional time being added.
An extension is a new application. The IHS is charged in full for the entire length of the new grant being applied for, not the gap between the old expiry date and the new one, and not reduced for any surcharge already paid on the previous visa.
Holding private health insurance removes the need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The IHS is a condition of the visa application on most routes over 6 months, independent of any private medical cover the applicant holds. Private insurance does not create an exemption; only the specific route-based exemptions on GOV.UK do.
The UK visa fee is simply the Home Office's cost of processing the application.
Home Office application fees are deliberately set above the cost of processing on most routes; the surplus contributes to funding the wider borders, immigration and citizenship system. That policy, not administrative overhead alone, is why the UK visa fee runs well above the equivalent fee in many comparable countries.
Total cost examples by route
What you actually pay, end to end, once application fee, IHS (with 6-month rounding), tests, biometrics and translations are combined. All figures use the 8 April 2026 Home Office fee schedule, confirmed unchanged in the 8 October 2026 review. Verify against GOV.UK before submission, fees can move through Statements of Changes at short notice.
The Health and Care Worker route saves the same family roughly £22,070 over 5 years compared to standard Skilled Worker, almost entirely from the IHS waiver. Eligibility hinges on the SOC code and the employer being on the Health and Care register. Worth confirming before the standard route is chosen.
These totals exclude priority service fees, professional advisory fees, complex evidence translations, and unforeseen costs (repeat biometrics, Ecctis assessments, UKVCAS premium slots). A realistic budget for the full spouse-to-citizenship journey is £15,500 to £18,500 in Home Office and ancillary costs. Plan with the higher end of the range, not the floor.
Glossary of fee terms
Frequently asked questions about UK visa fees
Talk to a regulated immigration adviser
The Whytecroft Ford Immigration Team advises applicants and sponsors at every stage of a UK visa, settlement or nationality matter.