New UK Visa Fees: Full List Of 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.

UK visa costs are changing from 8 April 2026. We are making improvements to deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system and the global increase in visa fees will help ensure we continue to offer customers a strong, secure and efficient visa service. pic.twitter.com/X6DgMaXO3C

— UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) April 8, 2026

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.