Understanding UK visitor visa fees is essential for planning your trip budget. This guide covers the complete cost breakdown for 2026, including standard fees from £127 for a 6-month visa to £1,059 for a 10-year visa, plus priority services, VFS charges, and tips on choosing the most cost-effective option for your travel plans.
Understanding UK Visitor Visa Fees in 2026
The Standard Visitor Visa allows visits up to 6 months for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term study. The UK Home Office sets UK visitor visa fees that apply globally regardless of your nationality, though your total application cost will vary depending on your location and chosen services.
How Much Does a UK Visitor Visa Cost in 2026?
A UK visitor visa costs £127 for 6 months, £475 for 2 years, £848 for 5 years, or £1,059 for 10 years. All options allow stays of up to 6 months per visit, with longer visas providing multiple entry benefits for frequent travellers.
The UK government sets standard visitor visa fees that apply to all nationalities. Your choice between visa durations depends on how frequently you plan to visit the UK over the coming years.
Other Visitor Visa Categories
While most visitors apply for the Standard Visitor Visa, specialised categories exist for specific purposes:
Is a Long-Term UK Visitor Visa Worth the Cost?
A 10-year visa costs £105.90 per year compared to £254 per year for repeated 6-month visas. If you'll visit the UK at least once annually for 5+ years, longer visas offer significant savings plus the convenience of avoiding repeated applications.
The long-term UK visitor visa provides excellent value for frequent travellers. While the upfront cost is higher, the cost per year decreases significantly with longer validity periods.
When to Choose Each Visa Duration
- 6-month visa (£127): Best for one-time visits or uncertain travel plans
- 2-year visa (£475): Ideal if you'll visit 2-4 times over two years
- 5-year visa (£848): Good for regular family visits or ongoing business relationships
- 10-year visa (£1,059): Best value for frequent travellers with stable circumstances
What Are the Priority and Super Priority Visa Fees?
Priority visa service costs £500 extra for a decision within 5 working days. Super Priority costs £1,000 extra for a next-working-day decision. These fees are added to your standard visa fee and are subject to availability at your application location.
Standard UK visitor visa processing takes approximately 3 weeks. For urgent travel, the UK priority visa service offers faster decisions at additional cost.
Total Cost Examples with Priority Services
Here's what you'll actually pay when combining visa fees with priority processing:
What Additional Costs Apply to UK Visa Applications?
Beyond the visa fee, expect to pay VFS service centre charges (varies by country), optional services like document scanning (£5-£15), courier delivery (£15-£25), and SMS tracking (£2-£5). Total additional costs typically range from £30-£100 depending on your location and chosen services.
The government visa fee is just one part of your total application cost. Most applicants also pay for services at Visa Application Centres operated by VFS Global or TLScontact.
VFS Global Service Charges
VFS Global charges vary by country. Here are typical fees for major application locations based on GSC search data:
Note: VFS fees change periodically. Check the VFS Global website for your country for current charges. The estimates above are approximate and include basic biometric appointment fees.
Optional VFS Add-On Services
- Document Scanning: £5-15 per document
- Courier Return: £15-25 for passport delivery
- SMS Tracking: £2-5 for application status updates
- Premium Lounge: £25-50 for enhanced appointment experience
- Form Filling Assistance: £15-30 for help completing the application
Immigration Health Surcharge: Does It Apply?
Standard Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This surcharge only applies to visas longer than 6 months, such as work and study visas.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Nationals from visa-exempt countries (including the USA, Canada, Australia, and most European countries) now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK.
- ETA Fee: £10
- Validity: 2 years or until passport expires
- Processing: Usually within 3 working days
- Application: Online via UK ETA app or gov.uk
If you need a visitor visa (most non-European nationals), the ETA does not apply to you—you'll use your visitor visa instead.
- Standard visitor visa: £127 (6 months) to £1,059 (10 years)
- Priority service adds £500; Super Priority adds £1,000
- VFS service charges add £20-50 depending on your country
- No Immigration Health Surcharge for visitor visas
- 10-year visa offers best value at £105.90/year for frequent travellers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK visitor visa cost in 2026?
A UK visitor visa costs £127 for 6 months, £475 for 2 years, £848 for 5 years, or £1,059 for 10 years. These are government fees that apply globally regardless of your nationality. Additional costs include VFS service centre charges (typically £20-50) and optional services like courier delivery.
Is a 2-year UK visa cheaper than two 6-month visas?
Yes, significantly. Two separate 6-month visas cost £254 total (£127 × 2), while a single 2-year visa costs £475 but covers four trips. If you'll visit at least twice within two years, the 2-year visa costs £237.50 per year versus £254 per year for repeated 6-month applications, plus you save time on additional applications.
What is the priority visa fee for the UK?
The UK Priority Visa Service costs an additional £500 on top of your standard visa fee, targeting a decision within 5 working days. For example, a 6-month visitor visa with priority processing costs £627 total (£127 + £500). Super Priority costs £1,000 extra for a next-working-day decision. These services are subject to availability.
Do children pay the same UK visitor visa fee as adults?
Yes, children pay the same visa fees as adults. A 6-month visitor visa for a child costs £127, identical to the adult fee. For a family of four applying for 6-month visas, the total government fee would be £508 (£127 × 4), plus any VFS service centre charges per applicant.
Are UK visitor visa fees refundable if refused?
No, UK visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. If your application is refused or you withdraw it, you will not receive a refund. The only exception is priority service fees (£500 or £1,000) which may be refunded if UKVI fails to meet the processing timeline, though the standard visa fee remains non-refundable.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for a visitor visa?
No, Standard Visitor Visa applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS only applies to visa categories lasting more than 6 months, such as work visas and student visas. Visitors can access NHS emergency treatment, but routine care typically requires payment or travel insurance.
How much is the UK visitor visa fee from India, Pakistan, or Nigeria?
The UK government visa fee is the same worldwide: £127 for 6 months. However, total costs vary by country due to VFS service charges. From India, expect approximately £147-162 total; from Pakistan, approximately £144-150; and from Nigeria, approximately £152-171. These estimates include the visa fee plus typical VFS biometric appointment charges.
Is the 10-year UK visitor visa worth the extra cost?
A 10-year visa costs £1,059 (£105.90/year), while two 6-month visas annually would cost £254/year. If you'll visit at least once per year for 5+ years and your circumstances are stable, the 10-year visa offers significant savings plus convenience. However, there are no refunds if you can no longer travel, so consider whether your situation might change before committing.