New UK Visa Fees: Full List Of Costs For Tourists, Students And Workers

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 01:17 IST

From short-term visits to long-term work routes, the Home Office has officially hiked visa fees starting April 8 as part of a major digital modernisation drive.

New UK Visa Fees: See The New Costs For Tourists, Students And Workers

If you are planning a trip, a move, or a course of study in the United Kingdom, your budget just got a little tighter. As of April 8, 2026, the UK Government has officially implemented a new fee structure across nearly all immigration routes.

According to the Home Office, these changes are a mechanical necessity to fund a “more streamlined, digital immigration system.” The goal is to move away from paper-based legacy systems toward a fully digital border that is quicker and more secure for the millions of people who enter the UK each year.

New UK Visa Fee: What’s Changed?

The fee increases, which generally range between 6% and 9%, impact everyone from tourists to skilled professionals. Here is a quick glance at the new costs for popular routes:

Visa Category New Fee (Effective April 8)

• Visit Visa (Up to 6 months): £135
• Visit Visa (Up to 2 years): £506
• Visit Visa (Up to 5 years): £903
• Visit Visa (Up to 10 years): £1128
• Study Visa: £558
• Work Visa (Skilled Worker, ≤ 3 years): £819
• Note: For those already in the UK, the Skilled Worker extension (up to 3 years) has risen to £943.

The UK Government maintains that the global increase in fees is essential for two reasons:

Digital Transformation: Scaling up the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and digital “pre-departure checks” to ensure the border remains “strong, secure, and efficient.”

Sustainability: Moving toward a “fully user-funded” immigration system, reducing the burden on the British taxpayer while maintaining high service standards.

The timing of these fee hikes coincides with the full enforcement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt nationals. As of today, the price of an ETA has also climbed from £16 to £20.

The Home Office emphasises that these “digital permissions” allow for faster processing with most ETA applicants receiving a decision in minutes via the app. For visa holders, the extra cost is being said to be an investment in a system that will eventually eliminate the need for physical vignettes and BRP cards.