This guide covers UK visa fees for Sri Lankans in 2026, with every cost in US dollars and Sri Lankan rupees. The 6-month visitor visa costs $191 (about LKR 61,120), the Student visa $791, the Skilled Worker visa $1,162 and the spouse visa $2,927, all charged in dollars at VFS Colombo. Sri Lanka's 71% visitor grant rate sits below the global average — but well ahead of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
UK Visas from Sri Lanka
UK Visa Fees for Sri Lankans 2026: Cost in Dollars & Rupees
UK Visa Fees in Sri Lanka 2026 (USD & LKR)
UK visa fees in Sri Lanka are charged in US dollars at VFS Global Colombo: $191 (about LKR 61,120) for the 6-month visitor visa, $791 for the Student visa, $1,162 for the Skilled Worker visa and $2,927 for the spouse visa. Priority processing adds $709. Rupee figures are indicative at roughly LKR 320 per $1 — the dollar amount is what is actually charged.
The Home Office sets fees in pounds, converts them to dollars and reviews the rate quarterly, so the LKR equivalent shifts with the exchange rate. The fee is non-refundable even if the application is refused. Always confirm the current dollar figure on the official fee calculator before applying. The complete price list:
Sri Lanka to UK visa cost — complete fee list 2026
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (LKR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month Visitor visa | $191 | LKR 61,120 |
| 2-year Visitor visa | $718 | LKR 229,760 |
| 5-year Visitor visa | $1,281 | LKR 409,920 |
| 10-year Visitor visa | $1,600 | LKR 512,000 |
| Student visa | $791 | LKR 253,120 |
| Short-term English study (6–11 months) | $323 | LKR 103,360 |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | $1,162 | LKR 371,840 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,295 | LKR 734,400 |
| Health and Care Worker (up to 3 years) | $459 | LKR 146,880 |
| Health and Care Worker (over 3 years) | $891 | LKR 285,120 |
| Global Talent (visa stage) | $291 | LKR 93,120 |
| Spouse/Partner visa | $2,927 | LKR 936,640 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | $5,155 | LKR 1,649,600 |
| Parent of a Child Student | $1,030 | LKR 329,600 |
| Priority service | $709 | LKR 226,880 |
| Super Priority service | $1,418 | LKR 453,760 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, August 2026; LKR indicative at ~320/$1
UK visa for Sri Lankan passport holders — who needs one
Every Sri Lankan passport holder needs a visa for any UK trip — tourism, family visits, study or work. There is no visa-free or ETA arrangement for Sri Lanka, and the requirement follows the passport you travel on. The fees above apply whatever the purpose, with the single VFS Global centre in Colombo handling biometrics for all routes.
UK Visit Visa from Sri Lanka 2026
The Standard Visitor visa at $191 covers tourism, family visits, business and short courses, with each stay capped at 180 days under the multiple-entry rules. Frequent travellers get better value from a long-term 2, 5 or 10-year visa, though every duration is assessed to the same standard. With the fee non-refundable, the grant rate matters:
What strengthens a Sri Lankan visitor application:
- Sponsor evidence: if visiting family, include a clear sponsor letter with proof of the relationship
- Financial history: 6+ months of bank statements showing consistent savings, not last-minute deposits
- Ties to Sri Lanka: property, business or employment records showing reasons to return
- Document checklist: follow our supporting documents guide for your category
- Clear itinerary: confirmed accommodation and return travel matching the stated purpose
Marriage, academic and transit visa fees from Sri Lanka
The Marriage Visitor visa costs the same $191; the Visiting Academic visa (6–12 months) is $332. For airport connections, the Direct Airside Transit visa costs $59 for travellers staying within the transit area, and the Visitor in Transit visa — for passing through UK border control, up to 48 hours — costs $106.
UK Student Visa from Sri Lanka 2026
The Student visa costs $791 from Sri Lanka, and applicants have strong prospects: an 90% grant rate with only 476 refusals in the year ending June 2026. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed institution, the English language requirement and maintenance funds are the core requirements; the Child Student visa costs the same $791.
On top of the fee, students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study, always in pounds — a one-year master's therefore costs about $791 plus £776. Short-term English study of 6–11 months uses its own $323 visa. After graduating, Sri Lankan students can move to the Graduate route for post-study work, or switch to the Skilled Worker route with a sponsored job offer.
UK Work Visa from Sri Lanka 2026
The Skilled Worker route — $1,162 for up to 3 years, $2,295 for longer — is the main employment pathway, requiring a job offer from a licensed sponsor at the salary threshold or going rate. Sri Lanka's work grant rate is a healthy 82%, up from prior years, with 578 refusals in the year ending June 2026. Holders can apply for ILR after five years.
Health and Care Worker — the cheapest work route
The Health and Care Worker visa costs $459 (up to 3 years) or $891 (over 3 years) and is exempt from the health surcharge — by far the most cost-effective route for Sri Lankan nurses, doctors and care workers recruited by the NHS and registered care providers, and the sector where Sri Lankan demand is strongest.
UK Spouse & Family Visa from Sri Lanka 2026
The spouse visa costs $2,927 from Sri Lanka, covering partners, fiancé(e)s and children joining a British or settled family member, with standard processing up to 12 weeks. Requirements include a genuine relationship, the £29,000 minimum income requirement set in Appendix FM, and adequate accommodation — sponsors should confirm their income category before paying.
The Adult Dependent Relative visa ($5,155) carries far stricter requirements, including showing that adequate care is not available in Sri Lanka. After five years on the partner route, applicants can apply for settlement — each later stage with its own in-UK fee and surcharge, covered in the spouse visa and settlement guides.
UK Priority Visa from Sri Lanka 2026
Standard post-biometrics waiting times runs about 3 weeks for non-settlement visas. The priority visa service at VFS Colombo cuts that to 5 working days for $709; Super Priority aims for the next working day at $1,418, though availability in Colombo can be limited. Settlement applications can use priority to cut the wait to about 6 weeks at the same $709.
Both fees are added to the standard visa fee and buy speed, not approval — a 6-month visitor visa with priority totals $900, and the extra fee is not refunded if the application is refused. Check slot availability when booking your appointment.
UK Visa Statistics for Sri Lanka 2026 (Success Rate)
Sri Lanka's outcomes sit in the middle of its South Asian peers: 71% visitor approval falls between India (82%) and Pakistan (57%), with Bangladesh lowest at 45% — reflecting Sri Lanka's smaller volume and historically lower irregular-migration concerns. On study, the 90% rate trails fellow student-sender Nepal (95%). Full cross-country data is in our UK visa success rate guide.
UK visa grant rates for Sri Lanka (year ending June 2026)
| Visa Category | Applications | Granted | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | 30,130 | 21,288 | 71% |
| Student visa | 4,140 | 3,706 | 90% |
| Skilled Worker visa | 3,242 | 2,664 | 82% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Sri Lanka
Every application starts with the online form on GOV.UK — our application form guide walks through it — with the fee paid in dollars and biometrics given at VFS Global Colombo. The steps:
- Step 1: complete the online application on GOV.UK and pay the fee in USD
- Step 2: pay the Immigration Health Surcharge online for stays over 6 months
- Step 3: get a TB test certificate from an approved clinic where required
- Step 4: book a biometrics appointment at VFS Global Colombo
- Step 5: attend the centre with your passport and document checklist
- Step 6: wait for the decision (about 3 weeks) and collect your passport
If your application is refused
The decision letter sets out the specific grounds. Our guide on your chances after a refusal explains whether to reapply with stronger evidence, request an administrative review, or take another route — addressing the exact refusal reason before reapplying is the single most useful step.
Sources: fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator (charged in USD; LKR indicative at roughly 320 per $1, May 2026 basis); grant rates and volumes from the Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026. Figures verified 29 August 2026; rupee column indicative at roughly LKR 320 per $1.
Frequently Asked
Questions about UK Visa Fees in Sri Lanka
The 6-month Visitor visa is $191, the 2-year $718, the 5-year $1,281, the 10-year $1,600, the Student visa $791, the Skilled Worker visa $1,162 and the spouse visa $2,927. All fees are charged in US dollars at VFS Global Colombo, at roughly LKR 320 per $1 — the dollar figure is the amount actually charged.
At roughly LKR 320 per dollar: the 6-month visitor visa is about LKR 61,120, the Student visa LKR 253,120, the Skilled Worker visa LKR 371,840 and the spouse visa LKR 936,640. The Home Office charges in US dollars, so the rupee amount depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay — budget from the dollar figure.
Yes — every Sri Lankan passport holder needs a visa for any UK trip, including tourism, transit, study and work. There is no visa-free or ETA arrangement for Sri Lanka. Even changing flights may need a transit visa: $59 airside, or $106 if passing through border control. Dual nationals travelling on a different passport follow that passport's rules.
For the year ending June 2026: visitor visas 71%, student visas 90% and skilled worker visas 82%. The visitor rate is below the 79% global average but well ahead of Pakistan (57%) and Bangladesh (45%). Strong financial evidence and clear ties to Sri Lanka are the keys to staying on the right side of these rates.
Priority service costs $709 on top of the visa fee for a decision in 5 working days — a 6-month visitor visa with priority totals $900. Super Priority is $1,418 for a next-working-day decision but can have limited availability at VFS Colombo. Neither changes the outcome, and the fee is not refunded on refusal.
The Student visa fee is $791 (about LKR 253,120), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study, charged in pounds online. Sri Lankan students enjoy a strong 90% grant rate, with only 476 refusals in the year ending June 2026. A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed institution is required.
Sri Lanka's skilled worker grant rate is 82% for the year ending June 2026, with 578 refusals — ahead of several South Asian peers. The Skilled Worker visa costs $1,162 for up to 3 years; the Health and Care Worker visa is $459 with no health surcharge. A valid sponsor licence and a salary meeting the threshold decide most cases.
The main routes are the Skilled Worker visa ($1,162, sponsored job offer required), the Health and Care Worker visa ($459, for medical and care roles), the Student visa ($791) followed by the Graduate route, and the spouse visa ($2,927, with a UK sponsor meeting the £29,000 income requirement). Most work and family routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years.
මාස 6 විසිටර් වීසා ගාස්තුව ඩොලර් 191 කි; ශිෂ්ය වීසා ඩොලර් 791, Skilled Worker වීසා (අවුරුදු 3 දක්වා) ඩොලර් 1,162, සහ කලත්ර (spouse) වීසා ඩොලර් 2,927 කි. සියලු ගාස්තු එක්සත් ජනපද ඩොලර්වලින් ගෙවනු ලැබේ — ආසන්න වශයෙන් රුපියල් 320 ක් ඩොලරයකට.
අයදුම්පත GOV.UK හරහා අන්තර්ජාලයෙන් සම්පූර්ණ කර ගාස්තුව ඩොලර්වලින් ගෙවිය යුතුය. ඉන්පසු biometrics සඳහා කොළඹ VFS Global මධ්යස්ථානයට පැමිණිය යුතුය. විසිටර් වීසා තීරණයක් සාමාන්යයෙන් සති 3 ක් පමණ ගත වේ.