The UK government has released a revised Home Office immigration and nationality fee schedule, confirming that a wide range of visa and citizenship application costs will increase starting April 8, 2026.
The changes affect applicants outside and inside the UK, including visitors, skilled workers, students, sponsors, and those seeking British citizenship.
Published under the UK’s immigration framework by the UK Visas and Immigration, the updated fee structure introduces moderate to significant increases across multiple categories, while a few services remain unchanged.
Visitor visa fees increased across all durations
One of the most notable changes affects standard visit visas:
- Short-term visit visa (up to 6 months): £127 → £135
- 2-year visit visa: £475 → £506
- 5-year visit visa: £848 → £903
- 10-year visit visa: £1,059 → £1,128
Other visitor-related categories also rise slightly, including academic and private medical treatment visas, which move from £220 to £234.
Transit visas also see small adjustments, with airside transit rising to £41.50 and landside transit to £74.50.
Work visa routes see significant cost increases
The largest financial impact is felt in work-based immigration routes, particularly skilled and long-term sponsorship visas.
Skilled Worker visa (outside UK)
- Up to 3 years: £769 → £819
- Over 3 years: £1,519 → £1,618
Skilled Worker visa (inside UK)
- Up to 3 years: £885 → £943
- Over 3 years: £1,751 → £1,865
Other work categories also increase, including:
- Innovator Founder visa: up to £1,693 (in UK applications)
- Start-up visa: up to £666
- Global Talent and ministerial routes: mostly unchanged, but select fees remain high
- Scale-up visa: rises to £937 (in UK applications)
Health and Care visa routes remain discounted but still rise slightly in line with broader adjustments.
Student visa fees also increase
International students will pay more under the updated structure:
- Student visa: £524 → £558
- Child student visa: £524 → £558
- Short-term English study visa: £214 → £228
These increases apply to both main applicants and dependants.
Citizenship and nationality applications become more expensive
The cost of becoming a British citizen continues to rise, reinforcing one of the highest citizenship application fees globally.
- Naturalisation (British citizenship): £1,605 → £1,709
- British overseas territory citizenship: £1,070 → £1,140
- Adult nationality registration: £1,446 → £1,540
However, one exception is notable:
- Child nationality registration drops from £1,214 to £1,000
Other nationality services, including renunciation and certificate requests, also increase slightly.
Sponsorship and employer licence fees updated
Employers sponsoring foreign workers will also face higher costs:
- Large sponsor licence: £1,579 → £1,682
- Small sponsor licence: £574 → £611
- Student sponsor licence: £574 → £611
Certificate of Sponsorship fees remain unchanged in most categories.
Premium and priority services remain stable
Most fast-track, priority, and super priority services remain unchanged:
- Priority visa service: £500 (no change)
- Super priority service: £1,000 (no change)
- UK and overseas expedited processing services: unchanged
Key takeaway: widespread but moderate increases
While most increases range between £2 and £114 per application, the cumulative effect is expected to significantly raise the overall cost of migration to the UK for long-term applicants, employers, and international students.
The updated pricing structure reflects routine government adjustments but continues a broader trend of increasing immigration-related costs across all major visa categories.
