A Guide to UK Visa Costs: How Much Will Your Visa Application Set You Back?

Planning a trip to the United Kingdom or considering a move to the UK? One of the essential steps in your journey is understanding the cost of a UK visa. Visa fees can vary based on several factors, including the type of visa you need and your specific circumstances. In this article, we'll break down some common UK visa types and their approximate fees, making it easier for you to budget for your visa application.

Standard Visitor Visa

The Standard Visitor visa is ideal for individuals planning to visit the UK for leisure, tourism, or business purposes. Here's an overview of the application fees:

6 months Standard Visitor visa: £115

2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £400 (valid for 6 months per visit)

5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £771 (valid for 6 months per visit)

10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: £963 (valid for 6 months per visit)

Student Visa

If you're considering studying in the UK, you'll need a Student visa. The application fee for this visa type is £490.

Graduate visa

 A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK. You’ll need to pay the £822 application fee

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa is designed for individuals who have job offers in the UK. The application fee varies based on your circumstances and whether you're applying from inside or outside the UK:
Applying from Outside the UK

Up to 3 years: £719 per person

More than 3 years: £1,420 per person

Applying from Inside the UK

Up to 3 years: £827 per person

More than 3 years: £1,500 per person

Family Visa

If you want to join your spouse, partner, child, parent, or a relative who will provide long-term care in the UK, you'll need a Family visa. The cost depends on your specific situation:
Applying Outside the UK

-Cost if joining your partner, parent, or child: £1,846

- Cost for each dependent added to your application: £1,846 each person

Applying Inside the UK

- Cost if joining your partner, parent, or child: £1,048

- Cost for each dependent added to your application: £1,048 each person

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is for individuals who excel in specific fields, such as science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, or arts and culture. Here's what you need to know about the application fee:

Application fee: £716

If you're applying based on an endorsement, you'll pay the £716 in two parts:

-  £524 when you apply for the endorsement

- £192 when you apply for the visa itself

The recent costs for each type of application can be found here. The application fees for work and visit visas increased by 15%, whilst fees for Student visas, Certificates of Sponsorship, Indefinite Leave to Remain, British citizenship, increased by at least 20% in October 2023: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-4-october-2023

In addition to the application fee, you'll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. The current IHS fee is £624, but please be aware that there are proposed increases, with IHS for adults set to almost double from £624 to £1,035 per year, and IHS for Student, Child, and Youth Mobility visa holders increasing from £470 to £776 per year.

Please also note that as a part of your visa application (not including visitor visa), you need to pay IHS fee. The current HIS fee is 624. But The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is set to almost double with proposed rises from £624 to £1,035 per year for adults. IHS for Student, Child and Youth Mobility visa holders will increase from £470 to £776 per year.

Important Note: The fees mentioned in this article do not include priority services or additional service fees at your visa centre. Be sure to inquire about these additional costs when submitting your application.