Welcome to our definitive guide on UK Priority Visa Fees for 2023. Effective October 4, 2023, the landscape of UK visa fees will undergo significant changes, with priority and super-priority services costing £500 and £1,000 respectively, across all categories. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the updated fee structures for various visas including Visitor, Spouse, Student, Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and ILR applications. Stay updated with our detailed breakdowns to navigate these changes efficiently.
Published On:
Last Updated:
Table of Contents
1. UK Priority Visa Fee 2023
How Much is Priority Visa UK?
As of October 4, 2023, the fee for UK priority visa services will be £500. This fee applies to expedited processing within 5 working days for all categories of applications, both inside and outside the UK.
This adjustment reflects an increase in the fee for non-settlement priority visa applications, which will go from £250 to £500. Conversely, the cost for priority settlement visas will be reduced from £573 to £500. For applicants residing within the UK, the 5-working-day priority service fee remains unchanged at £500.
It’s worth noting that the priority service is advisable only for uncomplicated applications.
How Much is Super Priority UK Visa?
Effective October 4, 2023, the fee for the super priority visa service will be £1,000. This service aims to expedite the processing time to the next working day for all types of applications, whether originating inside or outside the UK.
This change indicates an increase in the super priority visa fee from £956 to £1,000. For those applying within the UK, the fee for next-working-day super priority service—which includes extension, switching, and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications—will also increase from £800 to £1,000.
Note that the super priority service is only available at select UKVACs.
2. Priority Visitor Visa UK Cost
UK Visitor Visa Fast Track Fees 2023
Effective October 4, 2023, the additional fee for non-settlement UK priority visa service for fast-tracking visit visa applications within five working days will increase from £250 to £500.
Super Priority Visitor Visa UK Fees 2023
For applicants outside the UK, the next-working-day super priority service fee for visitor visa applications will rise from £956 to £1,000.
Cost for a 6-Month UK Visitor Visa
As of October 4, 2023, the base fee for a 6-month visitor visa application will increase from £100 to £115. Consequently, the total fee for a 6-month UK visa, inclusive of priority service, will rise from £350 to £615. With super priority service, the total cost will increase from £1,056 to £1,115.
Fee for a 2-Year UK Visitor Visa
Starting October 4, 2023, the base fee for a 2-year visitor visa application will increase from £376 to £400. Accordingly, the total fee for a 2-year visa, inclusive of priority service, will go from £626 to £900. With super priority service, the total fee will rise from £1,332 to £1,400.
Cost of a 5-Year UK Visitor Visa
Starting from October 4, 2023, the fee for a 5-year visitor visa application will be £771, up from £670. Therefore, the total cost for a 5-year visa, inclusive of priority service, will increase from £920 to £1,271. With super priority service, the total fee will be £1,771.
Fee for a 10-Year UK Visitor Visa
Effective October 4, 2023, the fee for a 10-year visitor visa will rise from £837 to £963. The total cost, inclusive of priority service, will therefore increase from £1,087 to £1,463. With super priority service, the total fee will be £1,963.
Get Expert Guidance for All Types of UK Visa and Immigration Applications, Reapplications, Refusals, and Appeals.
Enquiry Form
What Happens Next?
Our multilingual, qualified London-based immigration specialists will get back to you, usually within 2-3 working days. If you have not attached any documents, the UK-based law firm may ask for relevant case-specific documents such as refusal letters, deportation orders, application forms, etc. After reviewing the documents and information, the legal advisor may suggest a course of action and quote the fees for processing the application.
Have a Wonderful Day!
3. Fast Track Spouse Visa UK Fee
Priority Visa Fees for Spouse Visa UK 2023
Effective October 4, 2023, the additional fee for the UK’s settlement priority visa service, designed to expedite spouse visa applications within a 6-week timeframe, will be reduced from £573 to £500.
UK Spouse Visa Fee 2023
Starting on October 4, 2023, the basic fee for a spouse visa application will increase from £1,538 to £1,846. Therefore, the priority visa fees for spouse visa UK will rise from £2,111 to £2,346.
Please note that neither the 5-working day priority nor next-working-day super priority services are available for spouse settlement applications submitted from outside the UK.
How much does it cost to extend spouse visa?
For applicants extending or switching their spouse visa from within the UK, the standard 8-week processing fee will remain at £1,048. However, effective October 4, 2023, the fee for the next-working-day super priority service will increase from £800 to £1,000, making the total fast-track fee for a spouse visa extension £2,048.
ILR Super Priority Spouse Visa UK Fee
Effective October 4, 2023, the base fee for SET (M)Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for spouses will increase from £2,404 to £2,885. Consequently, the total cost for a spouse ILR application, inclusive of super priority service, will rise £3,885.
It is important to clarify that the £500 5-working day priority service is not an available option for spouse visa extensions, switches, or ILR applications.
4. Priority Student Visa UK Fees
Embassy Fees for UK Study Visa Priority
How Much is Priority Student Visa UK?
Effective October 4, 2023, the base fee for student visa applications originating outside the UK will rise from £363 to £490. Concurrently, the fee for priority service will increase from £250 to £500. This makes the total cost for expedited student visas £990, applicable for both inside and outside the UK, starting from the said date.
Super Priority Student Visa UK
The fee for super priority service, which assures next working day processing, will go up from £956 to £1,000. Consequently, the complete fee for a student visa under the super priority scheme will be £1,490, effective October 4, 2023. Please note that this service is not available to applicants who have verified their identity using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
Priority Student Visa Fee Inside UK
For applicants already in the UK, the standard fee for student visa extensions or switching is £490, with a typical processing time of 40 working days. Adding the priority service fee of £500 results in a total cost of £990 for expedited processing within 5 working days. This option is available to those who have used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app for identity verification.
Super Priority Student Visa Inside UK
Effective Oct 8, 2023, the next working day super priority (premium or express visa) service fee will increase from £800 to £1,000. The total cost for a super priority student visa extension or switching application within the UK will increase from £1,290 to £1,490. However, this service is not available if the applicant has used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to prove their identity.
5. Skilled Worker Visa Priority Service
How Much is Priority for Skilled Worker Visa?
Standard and Priority Fees for Skilled Worker Visas from Abroad
As of October 4, 2023, the fees for Skilled Worker visas have been updated. For a 3-year application, the new fee is £719, up from the previous £625. Applications that extend beyond 3 years now have a revised fee of £1,420, marking an increase from £1,235. The priority service fee for non-settlement applications has doubled to £500. Consequently, the total fee for 5-working-day priority processing for 3-year applications is now £1,219, while for applications longer than 3 years, the combined fee is £1,920.
Super Priority Visa UK Fees for Skilled Workers
Starting October 4, 2023, the super priority service fees will rise from £956 to £1,000. Therefore, for 3-year Skilled Worker visa applications with next-working-day processing, the total fee will be £1,719. For applications exceeding 3 years, the fee for super priority service will be £2,420.
Skilled Worker Visa Leave to Remain Fees Within the UK
Effective October 4, 2023, fees for Skilled Worker visas from within the UK have changed as well. The new fee for a 3-year extension or switching application has increased to £827 from £719. Applications that exceed 3 years will cost £1,500, up from £1,420. The priority service fee remains unchanged at £500. Thus, the total fee for 5-working-day priority processing for a 3-year extension or switching is £1,327, while for applications longer than 3 years, the combined fee is £2,000.
Super Priority Fees for Skilled Worker Visas Within the UK
Beginning October 4, 2023, the fee for next-working-day super priority service will increase from £800 to £1,000. This makes the total fee for a 3-year Skilled Worker extension or switching application £1,827. For applications that extend beyond 3 years, the super priority service fee will total £2,500.
6. Priority Health and Care Worker Visa Fee
Health and Care Worker Visa Priority Service Cost
Standard and Priority Fees for Health and Care Visas from Abroad
Effective from October 4, 2023, the Health and Care visa fees have been revised. The fee for a 3-year application now stands at £284, a climb from the earlier £247. For applications extending beyond 3 years, the updated fee is £551, an increase from £479. The priority service fee for non-settlement applications has been raised to £500. As a result, the total fee for a 3-year application with 5-working-day priority processing is £784, and for applications exceeding 3 years, the total is £1,051.
Super Priority Visa UK Fees for Health and Care Workers
Beginning October 4, 2023, the super priority service fees are set to increase from £956 to £1,000. Thus, the total fee for a 3-year Health and Care visa application with next-working-day processing will be £1,284. For applications longer than 3 years, the super priority service fee will amount to £1,551.
Health and Care Worker Visa Leave to Remain Fees Within the UK
Also effective from October 4, 2023, fees for Health and Care visas applied from within the UK have been revised. The fee for a 3-year extension or switching application is now £284, up from £247. For applications extending beyond 3 years, the updated fee is £551, an increase from £479. The priority service fee remains at £500, making the total cost for a 3-year extension or switching application with 5-working-day priority processing £784. For applications over 3 years, the combined fee will be £1,051.
Super Priority Fees for Health and Care Visas Within the UK
Starting October 4, 2023, the fee for the next-working-day super priority service will increase from £800 to £1,000. Accordingly, the total fee for a 3-year Health and Care extension or switching application will be £1,284. For applications that extend beyond 3 years, the super priority service fee will total £1,551.
7. ILR Application Fee Priority 2023
UK Visa Premium Service Fee for ILR Fast Track
Effective October 4, 2023, the fees for fast-tracking Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications have been updated. The standard ILR application fee has risen from £2,404 to £2,885.
The super priority service fee has also seen an increase, moving from £800 to £1,000. Consequently, applicants opting for next working day processing will incur a total fee of £3,885. This sum includes both the new ILR application fee of £2,885 and the updated super priority service fee of £1,000.
It’s worth noting that 5-working day priority service is generally not offered for ILR applications. If, however, the Home Office (UKVCAS) fails to process a super-priority application within the next working day—but completes it within 5 working days—for reasons attributable to its own operations, a £500 refund will be issued, retaining £500 for the 5-working day priority application.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
VFS Priority Visa UK Cost 2023
Does priority or super priority visa service guarantee my visa application approval?
Priority and super priority services expedite the processing time of your visa application, but they don’t guarantee approval. The final decision depends on the Home Office’s assessment of your application and supporting documents.
Will I get a refund if my visa application is rejected or if the processing takes longer than advertised?
If your visa application is rejected, you won’t receive a refund for the priority or super priority service fees. Additionally, the Home Office doesn’t provide refunds if the processing time exceeds the advertised duration. However, they will inform you of any delays and provide updates on your application status.
Can I upgrade my existing visa application to priority or super priority service after submission?
Generally, you can’t upgrade your application to priority or super priority service after submission. It’s important to select the desired service when applying. If upgrading is allowed in certain situations, you’ll need to contact your local UKVAC for assistance.
Do I need to pay for priority or super priority service for each family member applying for a visa?
Yes, priority and super priority service fees are per applicant. You must pay the additional fee for each family member if you want to expedite their visa applications.
How will I know if my visa application has been processed using priority or super priority service?
After submitting your application with priority or super priority service, you’ll receive email updates from the Home Office regarding the processing status. Once your application has been processed, you’ll be informed about the outcome and next steps, such as collecting your passport from the UKVAC.
Can I use priority or super priority service for my UK visa extension or switching application?
Yes, priority and super priority services are available for certain types of UK visa extension or switching applications. Check the eligibility criteria and ensure the service is applicable to your specific visa category before proceeding.