- Key Takeaways
- Introduction
- What Are the UK Visa Fees?
- Complete Breakdown of the 2026 Visa Fees
- How the Changes Impact Employers and Sponsored Workers
- Updates to Settlement and Citizenship Costs
- Study and Visit Visa Adjustments
- Fees That Have Not Changed
- Important Additional Costs to Remember
- Important Rules About UK Visa Fees
- Conclusion
- How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
- Glossary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- UK immigration and nationality fees are higher for applications made on or after 8 April 2026, and the Home Office fee table that applies from 8 October 2026 keeps every amount unchanged
- Changes affect work, study, visit, settlement, and citizenship applications
- Skilled Worker visa fees and sponsor licence fees are higher from 8 April 2026
- Student visa fees have increased, raising the overall cost of studying in the UK
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship fees are also higher
- Child citizenship registration fees have decreased, offering some relief for families
- Most priority services and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees remain unchanged
- Visa fees are based on the date of application submission, not the decision date
- Additional costs such as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) can significantly increase the total expense
- Paying the incorrect fee can result in application delays or rejection
Introduction
The Home Office has published updated UK immigration and nationality fees, which apply to a wide range of applications made on or after 8 April 2026. Whether you are a UK employer looking to sponsor international talent, a professional applying for a Skilled Worker visa, or an individual taking the final steps toward British citizenship, it is highly important to understand how these new costs will affect your plans.
Visa application fees are a mandatory part of the UK immigration process. Paying the incorrect amount can lead to frustrating processing delays or even the rejection of your application. To help you prepare, we have put together this guide outlining the key updates and explaining what they mean for you and your business.
What Are the UK Visa Fees?
When you apply to enter or stay in the UK, you must pay a mandatory processing charge to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This fee covers the administrative cost of assessing your paperwork and making a decision. The exact amount you need to pay depends on your specific visa category, the duration of your stay, and whether you are applying from inside the UK or abroad.
The new fees apply to all applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before that date were charged at the previous rates, even if the decision came later.
However, the visa fee is not the total cost. Applicants often pay additional charges such as: immigration health surcharge (IHS), an optional paid appointment at a visa application centre, priority processing services, translation and legal support costs.
Complete Breakdown of the 2026 Visa Fees
Work Visas (Applications made outside the UK) [fees for overseas work applications]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Innovator Founder - main applicant and dependants | £1,274 | £1,357 | £83 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Contact point meeting with endorsing body under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Start-up - dependants only | £465 | £495 | £30 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £561 | £561 | £0 |
| Global Talent - main applicant - where Approval Letter is required | £205 | £205 | £0 |
| Global Talent - main applicant - where Approval Letter is not required | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Global Talent - dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) - dependants only | £1,274 | £1,357 | £83 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) - dependants only | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £1,519 | £1,618 | £99 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £1,160 | £1,235 | £75 |
| Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| T2 Minister of Religion - main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months - main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange, Youth Mobility Scheme and India young professionals scheme visa - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Representative of an overseas business - main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker - up to 3 years - main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years -main applicant and dependants | £1,519 | £1,618 | £99 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Scale-up - main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| High Potential Individual - main applicant and dependants | £880 | £880 | £0 |
Work Visas (Applications made in the UK) [fees for in-country work applications]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Innovator Founder - main applicant and dependants | £1,590 | £1,693 | £103 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Contact point meeting with endorsing body under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Start-up - dependants only | £625 | £666 | £41 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £561 | £561 | £0 |
| Global Talent - main applicant - where Approval Letter is required | £205 | £205 | £0 |
| Global Talent - main applicant - where Approval Letter is not required | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Global Talent - dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Graduate Route – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) - dependants only | £1,590 | £1,693 | £103 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) - dependants only | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £1,751 | £1,865 | £114 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £1,160 | £1,235 | £75 |
| Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| T2 Minister of Religion - main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months - main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Representative of an overseas business - main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker - up to 3 years - main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years - main applicant and dependants | £1,751 | £1,865 | £114 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker - main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Scale-up - main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| High Potential Individual - main applicant and dependants | £880 | £880 | £0 |
The Home Office fee table that applies from 8 October 2026 keeps every fee in these two tables at the same amount, but lists the Start-up, Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 1 (Investor) fees for dependants only and no longer includes a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category.
Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Application Fees [fees for sponsor licences and certificates]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £350 | £350 | £0 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £750 | £750 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Student sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £1,005 | £1,071 | £66 |
| Endorsement fee for a Scale-up sponsor licence under Endorsing Body Pathway (payable to the endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,500 | £1,500 | £0 |
| Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £574 | £574 | £0 |
| Sponsor action plan | £1,579 | £1,579 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker: Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £525 | £525 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker:- Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee, UK expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route and Scale-up route | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker for International Sportsperson route - Over 12 Months | £525 | £525 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker for International Sportsperson route - Up to 12 months or less | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £55 | £55 | £0 |
Study Visas (Applications made outside the UK) [fees for overseas study applications]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Student - main applicant and dependants | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Child Student | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £214 | £228 | £14 |
Study Visas (Applications made in the UK) [for in-country study applications]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Student - main applicant and dependants | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Child student | £524 | £558 | £34 |
Visas and Applications Made Outside the UK [fees for visit visas, transit, and overseas settlement]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Visit visa – short up to 6 months | £127 | £135 | £8 |
| Visit visa – long up to 2 years | £475 | £506 | £31 |
| Visit visa – long up to 5 years | £848 | £903 | £55 |
| Visit visa – long up to 10 years | £1,059 | £1,128 | £69 |
| Visiting academic - more than 6 months but no more than 12 months | £220 | £234 | £14 |
| Private medical treatment visa - more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £220 | £234 | £14 |
| Transit visa - (direct airside transit) | £39 | £41.50 | £2.50 |
| Transit visit visa - (landside transit) | £70 | £74.50 | £4.50 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | £70 | £74.50 | £4.50 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (outside the UK) | £589 | £589 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) application made overseas | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Other visa | £682 | £726 | £44 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months - main applicant and dependants | £193 | £206 | £13 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years - main applicant and dependants | £268 | £285 | £17 |
| Route to Settlement | £1,938 | £2,064 | £126 |
| Route to Settlement - other dependant relative | £3,413 | £3,635 | £222 |
| Route to Settlement - refugee dependant relative | £424 | £452 | £28 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Call out/out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) - service of consular officers | £142 | £142 | £0 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents - consular functions | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| electronic travel authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 | £4 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a victim of domestic abuse and dependent children under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
Other Applications Made in the UK [fees for visitor extensions, settlement and travel documents]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Visitor Extension - main applicant and dependants | £1,100 | £1,172 | £72 |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1,321 | £1,407 | £86 |
| Leave to remain - Other | £1,321 | £1,407 | £86 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 30 months - main applicant and dependants | £193 | £206 | £13 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 5 years - main applicant and dependants | £268 | £285 | £17 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £28 | £30 | £2 |
| Indefinite leave to remain - main applicant and dependants | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Permit which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Travel Document - Certificate of travel - adult | £300 | £320 | £20 |
| Travel Document - Certificate of travel - child | £151 | £161 | £10 |
| Travel Document - Convention travel document - adult | £94.50 | £102 | £7.50 |
| Travel Document - Convention travel document - child | £61.50 | £66.50 | £5 |
| Administrative Review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | £0 |
The fee table still lists fees connected with biometric residence permits (BRPs), but all BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas, a digital record of your immigration status. An expired BRP can be used only to access your eVisa or to apply to extend your stay, for 24 months after the expiry date printed on it or until 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.
Nationality and Citizenship [fees for naturalisation and registration]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1,605 | £1,709 | £104 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1,070 | £1,140 | £70 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen - adult | £1,446 | £1,540 | £94 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen - child | £1,214 | £1,000 | -£214 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen (under provisions for Irish citizens) - adult | £723 | £723 | £0 |
| Nationality Registration as a British citizen (under provisions for Irish citizens) - child | £607 | £607 | £0 |
| The arrangement of a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). | £130 | £130 | £0 |
| The administration of a citizenship oath, or oath and pledge where the oath, or oath and pledge, are not administered at a citizenship ceremony or by a justice of the peace. | £5 | £5 | £0 |
| Nationality registration - British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons - adult | £964 | £1,027 | £63 |
| Nationality registration - British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons - child | £810 | £863 | £53 |
| Renunciation of nationality | £482 | £513 | £31 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (In the UK) | £589 | £589 | £0 |
| Nationality review | £482 | £513 | £31 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £459 | £489 | £30 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £459 | £489 | £30 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £428 | £456 | £28 |
| Nationality - supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £428 | £456 | £28 |
| Nationality reissued Certificate | £428 | £456 | £28 |
Optional Premium Services Outside the UK [fees for overseas priority services]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Priority Visa service - Settlement | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Priority Visa service - Non-Settlement | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Super priority visa service | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| User Pays Visa Application service | £76.50 | £76.50 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to provide any premium service relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £150 | £150 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre - Email Service (per query) | £2.74 | £2.74 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre - Telephone Helpline (per minute) | £0.69 | £0.69 | £0 |
- Optional Premium Services in the UK [fees for in-country priority services]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Expedited processing - Priority service | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 | £650 | £0 |
| Premium status checks and advice - Administrative Officer (per minute) | £0.80 | £0.80 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training - Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.88 | £0.88 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training - Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.10 | £1.10 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training - Higher Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.97 | £0.97 | £0 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training - Higher Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.23 | £1.23 | £0 |
Premium Services at the Border [fees for registered traveller and fast track services]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Registered Traveller (Adult) - Yearly Subscription (per year) | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller (Child) - Yearly Subscription (per year) | £24 | £24 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller - Registration of New Documents | £20 | £20 | £0 |
| Fast Track - Participating ports of entry | £10 | £10 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £72.27 | £72.27 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £150 | £150 | £0 |
Assessment of an Overseas Qualification [fees for qualification assessments]
| Fees category | Fee before 8 April 2026 | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| For a recognised standard of overseas qualification including, if requested, a recognised appropriate level of English language | £210 | £210 | £0 |
How the Changes Impact Employers and Sponsored Workers
If your business relies on international talent, you will need to adjust your recruitment budgets to accommodate the new Home Office fees. The cost of obtaining a sponsor licence is higher for businesses of all sizes from 8 April 2026. The fee for small and charitable sponsors rose from £574 to £611, and for medium and large sponsors from £1,579 to £1,682.
The visa application fees for the Skilled Worker route also rose from 8 April 2026. The exact cost depends on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside the UK, the duration of the sponsorship, and whether the job is on the Immigration Salary List. Employers who cover the cost of visa fees as part of their relocation packages must account for these rises to avoid unexpected budget shortfalls. Sponsors also pay the Immigration Skills Charge, which for a certificate assigned on or after 16 December 2025 is £480 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,320 for a medium or large sponsor for the first 12 months, plus £240 or £660 for each further 6 months. Our visa fees and sponsorship costs guide sets out every sponsor cost and who must pay it.
Updates to Settlement and Citizenship Costs
Reaching the final stages of the UK immigration journey is also slightly more expensive for adults from 8 April 2026. The fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rose from £3,029 to £3,226. The naturalisation application fee rose from £1,605 to £1,709, and the £130 citizenship ceremony fee is added on top, so an applicant pays £1,839 in total.
Families can welcome the fact that the fee for registering a child as a British citizen fell from £1,214 to £1,000. This makes securing British citizenship for dependents a more accessible process.
Study and Visit Visa Adjustments
International students and visitors are also affected by the April 2026 updates. The standard Student visa fee, for both adults and children, rose from £524 to £558. Visitor visa fees rose across all durations, and a standard short-term visit visa of up to six months costs £135.
Fees That Have Not Changed
Despite widespread increases, some fees remain unchanged, including:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fees
- Priority service fees
- Super Priority service fees
- Life in the UK Test fee
- Certain endorsement and administrative fees
This provides some consistency for employers and applicants already familiar with the system.
Important Additional Costs to Remember
When calculating your total immigration budget, it is crucial to remember that the Home Office application fee is only one part of the equation. You must also factor in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You pay it on applications made from outside the UK for more than six months, and on applications of any length made inside the UK, upfront for the whole period of the visa. Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants, and visitors, do not pay it.
Additionally, you may need to budget for English language tests, translation services, an optional paid appointment at a visa application centre, and the Immigration Skills Charge if you are an employer sponsoring a worker. There is no Home Office fee for giving your fingerprints and photo. Taking all these supplementary costs into account will ensure you are fully prepared before submitting your application.
Important Rules About UK Visa Fees
It is vital to remember that UK visa fees are generally non-refundable. UKVI uses this money to cover the physical cost of processing your application. If the Home Office considers your application and refuses it, the fee is not refunded. It is refunded, less a £30 administrative charge, if the application is rejected as invalid, and in full if you withdraw it before giving your fingerprints and photo (or, in the UK Immigration: ID Check app, before you confirm and upload). The Immigration Health Surcharge is refunded in full if the application is refused.
Furthermore, if you apply from outside the UK, you will be required to pay in your local currency. The Home Office uses its own exchange rate policy rather than standard bank rates. This means the final amount taken from your account might fluctuate slightly depending on the exact day you make your payment.
Conclusion
The Home Office immigration and nationality fees that apply from 8 April 2026 underline the importance of careful financial planning in your immigration journey. Fees are set by the date you submit your application, not the date of the decision, so check the fee table in force on the day you apply. The table that applies from 8 October 2026 keeps every amount in this guide unchanged.
How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?
Navigating UK immigration fee changes can feel overwhelming, but WorkPermitCloud is here to make the process stress-free and straightforward. As an innovative Legal and HR-tech company specialising in Business Immigration and HR systems in the UK, our expert team can help you or your business plan applications effectively, avoid unnecessary costs, and ensure full compliance with the latest Home Office rules.
📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
📅 Contact form: https://www.workpermitcloud.co.uk/contact
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
| UKVI | UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office department responsible for processing visa and nationality applications |
| Visa Fee | The mandatory fee paid to the Home Office to process an immigration application |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A compulsory charge paid by most applicants to access NHS services during their stay in the UK |
| Skilled Worker Visa | A work visa that allows foreign nationals to work in the UK for an approved employer |
| Sponsor Licence | Permission granted to UK employers to sponsor overseas workers under the immigration system |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic document issued by a licensed sponsor to support a worker’s visa application |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent residence in the UK with no time limit on stay |
| Naturalisation | The legal process of becoming a British citizen |
| Immigration Salary List | A list of eligible occupations with adjusted salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route |
| Priority Service | An optional paid service for faster visa decision processing |
| Super Priority Service | A premium service offering next working day visa decisions where available |
| Biometric Enrolment | The process of providing fingerprints and a photograph as part of a visa application |
| ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) | A digital permission required for certain travellers before entering the UK |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) | A fee paid by employers when sponsoring workers under certain visa routes |
