Under the revised structure, individuals applying for study visas will now pay higher application fees. The cost of a student visa has been adjusted to £524 for applicants outside the UK, reflecting a recent increase in immigration charges.
Visitor visa fees also vary depending on duration. Short-term visas for up to six months remain the most affordable option, while long-term visas covering two, five, and ten years attract significantly higher costs due to extended validity periods.
For those seeking employment opportunities, fees for work visas such as the Skilled Worker route differ based on the duration of stay. Applicants for shorter-term work permits pay lower charges compared to those applying for longer stays exceeding three years.
Family-related visa categories, including spouse and partner applications, continue to rank among the most expensive, with costs running into thousands of pounds when combined with mandatory health surcharges.
In addition to visa fees, applicants are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service during their stay. This additional charge significantly increases the overall cost of relocating to the UK, particularly for long-term visas.
The updated fee structure also applies to settlement and citizenship applications, with applicants expected to pay higher charges as part of the UK government’s broader immigration policy adjustments.
Authorities maintain that the fee changes are necessary to support the cost of processing applications and maintaining the immigration system. However, the increases are expected to place a heavier financial burden on prospective migrants, especially those from developing countries.
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Summary
The UK has updated its visa and citizenship fees from April 2026, introducing higher costs for students, workers, and family applicants The United Kingdom has released an updated breakdown of visa and citizenship fees set to take effect from April 2026, with increases affecting several categories of applicants, including students, workers, and families.Under the revised structure, individuals applying...
Key takeaways
- The UK has updated its visa and citizenship fees from April 2026, introducing higher costs for students, workers, and family applicants The United Kingdom has released an updated breakdown of visa and citizenship fees set to take effect from April 2026, with increases affecting several categories of applicants, including students, workers, and families.Under the revised structure, individuals applying for study visas will now pay higher application fees.
- The cost of a student visa has been adjusted to £524 for applicants outside the UK, reflecting a recent increase in immigration charges.
- Visitor visa fees also vary depending on duration.
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The UK has updated its visa and citizenship fees from April 2026, introducing higher costs for students, workers, and family applicants The United Kingdom has released an updated breakdown of visa and citizenship fees set to take effect from April 2026, with increases affecting several categories of applicants, including students, workers, and families.Under the revised structure, individuals applying...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Flourish Egunjobi listed as author.
When was it published?
March 26, 2026
