If you’re applying or thinking of applying for a UK visa, then this guide will cover what you need to know about the fee changes which came into effect on April 9th. As we discussed in an earlier blog, there were a number of changes to UK immigration rules announced just recently, but in this article we will focus specifically on the changes to application fees and what this means for you.
The exact amount you’ll need to pay will be based on a number of factors, including the type of visa or immigration route you are applying under. It will also depend on whether you are applying from within or outside the UK. Finally, if you’re selecting a premium processing service this will also affect the total cost.
The application fee is part of the overall application process, and a fee will apply to you whether you’re wanting to extend your stay in the UK, applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or just planning a short term visit. These, and most other routes, all include a cost which has recently been updated. The increases apply to both applications for entry clearance submitted from outside the UK and applications submitted from within the UK.
So, in this guide we will break down the latest UK visa application fees that came into effect on 9 April 2025. Let’s get started.
UK visit visa fees
- Short-term Visit Visa (up to 6 months)
- Old fee – £115
- New fee – £127
- Long-term Visit Visa (up to 2 years)
- Old fee – £432
- New fee – £475
- Long-term Visit Visa (up to 5 years)
- Old fee – £771
- New fee -£848
- Long-term Visit Visa (up to 10 years)
- Old fee – £963
- New fee – £1,059
Skilled Worker application fees
- Applying from outside the UK Up to 3 years
- £769
- Applying from outside the UK More than 3 years
- £1,519
- Applying from inside the UK (extend/switch/update) Up to 3 years
- £885
- Applying from inside the UK (extend/switch/update) More than 3 years
- £1,751
Health and Care Worker visa application fees
- Applying from inside or outside the UK Up to 3 years
- £304
- Applying from inside or outside the UK More than 3 years
- £590
Innovator Founder Visa
- Old fee – £1,191
- New fee – £1,274
Note: The fee for securing an endorsement under the Innovator Founder route will not change and remains at £1,000 (ex VAT).
High Potential Individual Visa
- Old fee – £822
- New fee – £880
UK Expansion Worker Visa
- Old fee – £298
- New fee – £319
Global Talent Visa
- Old fee – £716
- New fee – £766
Scale-up Visa
- Old fee – £822
- New fee – £880
Graduate Visa
- Old fee – £822
- New fee – £880
UK Partner & Family visa fees
- Spouse, Civil Partner, and Unmarried Partner Visa
- Old fee – £1,846
- New fee- £1,939
- Adult Dependent Relative Visa
- Old fee £3,250
- New fee £3,413
UK Study Visa fees
- Student Visa
- Old fee – £490
- New fee – £524
- Child Student Visa
- Old fee – £490
- New fee -£524
- Short-term Study Visa (English language courses)
- Old fee – £200
- New fee – £214
UK Settlement and Nationality fees
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Old fee – £2,885
- New fee – £3,029
- Naturalisation (British citizenship)
- Old fee – £1,500
- New fee – £1,605
Note #1: The cost of applying for settlement or non-settlement visas outside the UK via Priority Visa Service will remain the same at £500. The cost of applying via the Super Priority Service from within the UK will also remain the same at £1,000.
Note #2: The fee for an application to register a child as a British citizen will remain unchanged at £1,214.
Sponsorship fees
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for Skilled Workers and certain other categories
- Old fee – £239
- New fee – £525
- Certificate of Sponsorship to a Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier or Secondment Worker route, a Scale-up Worker or an International Sportsperson (up to 12 months).
- Old fee – £25
- New fee – £55
Sponsor Licence fees
- Large sponsors
- Old fee – £1,476
- New fee – £1,579
- Small sponsors and charities
- Old fee – £536
- New fee – £574
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Old fee – £10
- New fee – £16
We have covered the details of the new ETA to visit the UK. If you’re unsure about whether it applies to you, you can read our blog on ETA rules here.
Understanding what you need to pay
The reforms to UK visa application fees, which were put in place as of April 9, 2025, are part of the UK government’s ongoing changes to the UK immigration system. As we know, this rise in fees affects a number of visa types such as visitor visas, work visas, partner and family visas, student visas, settlement applications, and so on. If you are making your application from inside or outside the UK, you must understand these new costs, so that you can be adequately prepared for your application.
The percentage increase to fees varies between different visa categories, some seeing substantial increases, such as the Certificate of Sponsorship fee for Skilled Workers, whilst others just minor rises. It’s also important to say, however, that some fees, such as the fee to register a child as a British citizen or the fee to apply through the Priority and Super Priority services, have not been raised.
Understanding these shifts will assist you in planning and budgeting. If you want to apply for a visa for the UK, it’s important to be aware of these changes in order to avoid any surprises when you apply.
Working with an immigration lawyer
When things are changing so quickly, as they are in UK immigration matters, both individuals and businesses can get better results and real peace of mind knowing their application is in the hands of a professional. That’s why it’s worth working with an immigration expert. When you work with an immigration lawyer you benefit from increased speed of application approval, a personal service tailored to your needs, advice and guidance after the initial application, as well as help with appeals and litigation. In short, it gives you the peace of mind that your application is in the best possible hands. With an unrivalled success rate, YI Solutions works with both individuals and businesses to ensure you are able to complete your immigration applications successfully. Contact us for a free consultation today.
