UK visa fees 2026 range from £127 for a 6-month visit visa to over £3,000 for settlement applications, with most categories seeing 7% increases from April 2025. This comprehensive guide covers current fees for visit, work, study, and family visas, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge and priority processing options that significantly impact your total application cost.
Understanding UK Visa Fees in 2026
UK visa fees underwent significant increases on 9 April 2025, affecting virtually all immigration categories. Whether you're planning a short tourist visit, pursuing education, joining family members, or taking up employment in the UK, understanding the complete fee structure helps you budget accurately for your immigration journey. The fees listed in this guide reflect the current Home Office rates applicable to applications submitted from outside the UK.
The total cost of a UK visa application typically includes three components: the base application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for stays exceeding six months, and optional premium processing services. For most long-term applications, the IHS represents the largest portion of the total cost at £1,035 per year for standard applicants.
UK Visit Visa Fees (Tourist & Visitor)
How much does a UK visit visa cost in 2026?
The UK visit visa (tourist visa) costs £127 for a 6-month visa, £475 for 2 years, £848 for 5 years, and £1,059 for a 10-year multiple-entry visa. These fees apply to the Standard Visitor Visa for tourism, business, and family visits.
The Standard Visitor Visa is the most common UK visa category, covering tourism, business meetings, family visits, and short-term study courses. Visit visas are the most affordable UK visa option as they do not require the Immigration Health Surcharge. The maximum stay per visit is 180 days, regardless of visa duration.
For those planning long-term visitor visas of 2, 5, or 10 years, the fee represents excellent value for frequent travellers. A 10-year multiple-entry visa costs just £1,059 total with no additional surcharges. Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks after biometrics.
Other Visit & Transit Visa Fees
- Private Medical Treatment Visa (6-11 months): £220
- Marriage Visitor Visa: £110
- Permitted Paid Engagement Visa: £110
- ADS Visa (Chinese Tour Groups): £110
- Direct Airside Transit Visa: £39
- Visitor in Transit Visa: £70
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £16
UK Student Visa Fees
What is the total cost of a UK student visa?
The UK student visa application fee is £524 per applicant. Students also pay a reduced Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year. A 3-year Bachelor's degree costs £524 application fee plus £2,328 IHS, totalling £2,852 per person.
The UK Student Visa provides access to world-class universities while benefiting from a reduced IHS rate. Child students and dependants pay the same application fee of £524, with dependants also qualifying for the reduced £776 annual IHS rate. Applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
UK Work Visa Fees
How much is a UK skilled worker visa in 2026?
The UK Skilled Worker visa costs £769 for applications up to 3 years and £1,519 for applications over 3 years. The total cost including a 5-year IHS (£5,175) and Certificate of Sponsorship (£525) can exceed £7,000 for a standard long-term application.
Work visa applications represent the largest category in UK visa fees, with substantial variations based on employment type and visa duration. Most employment visas require a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer. Health and Care Worker visas remain significantly cheaper, with fees of £284 for up to 3 years and complete exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Employer Sponsorship Costs 2026
Employers sponsoring overseas workers face significant additional costs beyond the worker's visa application fees:
- Sponsor Licence (Large Sponsors): £1,579
- Sponsor Licence (Small Sponsors/Charities): £574
- Certificate of Sponsorship: £525 per worker
- Immigration Skills Charge: £1,000/year (large) or £364/year (small/charity)
UK Family & Spouse Visa Fees
How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2026?
The UK spouse visa costs £1,938 for entry clearance from outside the UK. Including the Immigration Health Surcharge (£2,587.50 for 2.5 years), the total cost is approximately £4,525.50 per applicant for the initial visa period.
Family visas represent a significant financial commitment for those reuniting with loved ones in the UK. The spouse visa leads to settlement after 5 years, requiring two applications (initial and extension) before Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Applicants must demonstrate a genuine relationship, meet financial requirements, and have suitable accommodation.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The Immigration Health Surcharge costs £1,035 per year for most applicants, or £776 per year for students, Youth Mobility participants, and children under 18. This mandatory fee grants access to the NHS and must be paid upfront with your visa application.
The IHS often represents the largest portion of total visa costs for long-term applications. A 5-year skilled worker visa, for example, requires £5,175 in IHS alone (5 × £1,035). The surcharge is refunded if your visa application is refused, but not if you withdraw your application or leave the UK early.
Priority & Super Priority Visa Fees
How much is priority visa UK?
The Priority Visa Service costs £500 and delivers a decision within 5 working days. The Super Priority Service costs £1,000 and provides a decision by the end of the next working day. These fees are unchanged from 2024.
Premium processing services can significantly reduce waiting times for urgent applications. Standard visa processing typically takes 3 weeks for visit and work visas, 8-12 weeks for spouse visas, and longer for settlement applications. These services may not be available in all countries or for all visa types.
- Base application fee for your visa category
- Immigration Health Surcharge (if stay exceeds 6 months)
- Priority processing fees (if required)
- Visa Application Centre service fees
- Multiply by number of family members applying
Why Are UK Visa Fees So High?
What drives UK immigration costs?
UK visa fees are structured to create a self-funded immigration system where the costs are primarily covered by applicants rather than general taxation. The government aims to balance covering immigration service costs, funding border security operations, and maintaining economic competitiveness.
The UK Government's approach to immigration fees reflects a deliberate policy shift over the past two decades. Under the Immigration Act 2014, the Home Secretary can consider various factors when setting fees, including administrative costs, economic benefits to the UK, and international comparisons. This legal framework allows fees to exceed the actual cost of processing applications.
UK immigration fees have increased substantially above inflation since 2003. In that year, the Home Office collected approximately £72 million from immigration and nationality fees, with an additional £112 million from entry visa fees, totalling £184 million. By 2022/23, this had risen to approximately £2,200 million from application fees alone, supplemented by £1,700 million from the Immigration Health Surcharge and £600 million from the Immigration Skills Charge.
Historical UK Visa Fee Increases
To understand current fees, it helps to see how dramatically they've changed. Before 2003, fees were relatively modest: naturalisation cost £155, a student visa just £36, and settlement applications £155. The trajectory since then has been steep:
The 2023/24 fee increases generated significant additional revenue: the application fee changes were projected to raise an additional £560 million annually, while the IHS increase was anticipated to raise an additional £1.1 billion annually. The health surcharge adjustment alone is projected to generate £6.2 billion in additional revenue by 2028, according to the government's impact assessment.
UK vs Global: How Fees Compare
How do UK visa costs compare to other countries?
According to Royal Society analysis, UK upfront immigration costs are higher than all 16 other leading science nations studied. The UK Skilled Worker visa for a large company sponsor costs approximately £9,700 total—790% higher than the average of comparable countries.
The Royal Society commissioned comprehensive analysis comparing upfront immigration costs for the UK and 16 other leading science nations, focusing on primary visa categories for researchers and skilled workers. The findings reveal the stark financial burden UK immigration fees place on applicants compared to international peers.
International Skilled Worker Cost Comparison
A significant portion of the UK cost difference comes from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is paid upfront for the entire visa duration. Other countries typically require ongoing health insurance payments that are not included in initial immigration fees. However, even excluding the health surcharge, UK upfront costs for a Skilled Worker visa remain higher than all other studied countries except the USA and Australia.
Family Immigration Cost Impact
The Institute for Government found that a family of five moving to the UK on a five-year intra-company transfer visa faces costs exceeding £21,000, compared to approximately £10,000 in Australia, £2,700 in France, £750 in Germany, and just £670 in Canada. The significant UK premium is largely, but not solely, due to the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- UK fees increased 7% on average from April 2025, with CoS fees rising 120%
- The IHS (£1,035/year) often exceeds the base application fee for long-term visas
- UK costs are 2-10 times higher than comparable nations depending on methodology
- Visit visas remain affordable as they do not require IHS payment
- Health & Care Workers are exempt from IHS, making this route significantly cheaper
For the most current and official fee information, applicants should always verify costs on the official UK Government Visa Regulations table and the GOV.UK visas and immigration pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a UK visa fee in 2026?
UK visa fees vary by category. A 6-month visit visa costs £127, student visa £524, spouse visa £1,938, and skilled worker visa £769 (up to 3 years). Most long-term applications also require the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
How much is a 10-year UK visa?
A 10-year Standard Visitor Visa costs £1,059. This multiple-entry visa allows visits of up to 180 days per trip and does not require the Immigration Health Surcharge, making it excellent value for frequent travellers to the UK.
How much is priority visa UK?
The Priority Visa Service costs £500 and provides a decision within 5 working days. The Super Priority Service costs £1,000 and delivers a decision by the end of the next working day. These optional services are added to your standard visa application fee.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The IHS is a mandatory fee that grants visa holders access to NHS healthcare. It costs £1,035 per year for most applicants, or £776 per year for students, Youth Mobility participants, and children under 18. Visitor visas and Health & Care Workers are exempt.
How much does a UK student visa cost in total?
A UK student visa costs £524 application fee plus £776 per year Immigration Health Surcharge. A 3-year Bachelor's degree totals approximately £2,852 (£524 + £2,328 IHS). Child students and dependants pay the same fees and qualify for the reduced IHS rate.
How much does a UK work visa cost for employers?
Employers face substantial sponsorship costs: Sponsor Licence £1,579 (large) or £574 (small), Certificate of Sponsorship £525 per worker, and Immigration Skills Charge £1,000/year (large) or £364/year (small/charity). Total employer costs can exceed £5,000 per sponsored worker.
Can I get a refund if my UK visa is refused?
Visa application fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused. However, the Immigration Health Surcharge is refundable if your visa application is refused. You will not receive a refund if you withdraw your application or leave the UK before your visa expires.
Why are UK visa fees so expensive compared to other countries?
The UK Government aims for a self-funded immigration system where costs are covered by applicants rather than general taxation. The Immigration Health Surcharge significantly increases total costs compared to countries with ongoing insurance payments. Royal Society analysis found UK immigration costs 2-10 times higher than comparable nations.