UK visa fees rise from April 8: What applicants now need to pay

Planning to travel, study or work in United Kingdom? Visa and immigration fees have increased from April 8 across most categories, affecting visitors, students, workers and those applying for settlement or citizenship.

The revised charges, announced by the UK Home Office, reflect an increase of around 6 to 7 per cent in most visa categories. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee has seen a sharper rise of about 25 per cent.

The changes are part of a broader approach where applicants and sponsors bear a larger share of immigration-related costs. Earlier increases in charges such as the Immigration Health Surcharge and Immigration Skills Charge have also added to the overall cost.

Key visa fee changes
For short-term visitors, the six-month visa fee has increased from £127 to £135.
Student and Child Student visa fees have risen from £524 to £558.

Work visa costs have also gone up. For overseas applicants, the Skilled Worker visa now costs £819 for up to three years, compared to £769 earlier, and £1,618 for more than three years, up from £1,519.
For applicants already in the UK, fees have increased to £943 for up to three years and £1,865 for longer durations.
The Health and Care visa fee now stands at £324 for up to three years and £628 for longer stays.

Temporary work visas, including routes such as the India Young Professionals Scheme, have increased from £319 to £340.

Settlement and citizenship costs have also gone up. The fee for indefinite leave to remain has risen to £3,226, while naturalisation as a British citizen now costs £1,709.

One exception is child citizenship registration, where the fee has been reduced from £1,214 to £1,000.
The ETA fee has increased from £16 to £20.

What this means for applicants
The updated fee structure means higher upfront costs for individuals planning to move to the UK for education, employment or long-term settlement.
Applicants from India will see increases across most visa categories, whether they are travelling for short visits, pursuing higher education, or applying for work opportunities.

Employers and sponsors may also face higher costs, particularly in terms of sponsorship-related charges, although some components such as the Certificate of Sponsorship fee remain unchanged.

Will this affect Indian applicants?
Experts suggest that while the fee hike adds to overall expenses, it is unlikely to significantly impact decisions, particularly for students.

The total cost of studying in the UK remains largely driven by tuition fees and living expenses, with visa charges forming a smaller portion of the overall budget.

For many applicants, factors such as quality of education, career opportunities and long-term prospects continue to play a more important role than visa fee changes.

Key takeaway
While the increase in visa fees raises the cost of moving to the UK, it is part of a broader trend of rising immigration-related expenses. Applicants may benefit from planning their finances in advance and staying updated on the latest fee structures before applying.