The UK Home Office has announced a sweeping increase in visa fees for people seeking to visit, study, work, or settle in the United Kingdom, with changes taking effect from April 8.
Under the new structure, visa charges will rise by as much as £222, as part of broader government efforts to curb migration and tighten border controls.
The policy shift comes alongside stricter measures targeting asylum seekers and migrants. Authorities say failed asylum seekers could receive up to £10,000 to voluntarily leave the country, while those found working illegally risk losing access to taxpayer-funded accommodation.
In addition, the government has introduced an “emergency brake” on student visa applications from countries including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan. According to Shabana Mahmood, the move follows a sharp rise in asylum claims from these nations.
Breakdown of new visa fees
Short-term visit visas for up to six months will increase from £127 to £135. Longer visit visas will also see notable rises:
- Two-year visas: up £31 to £506
- Five-year visas: up £55 to £903
- Ten-year visas: up £69 to £1,128
Applications for British citizenship will rise from £1,605 to £1,709, while settlement visas which allow foreign nationals to live and work in the UK before applying for indefinite leave to remain will increase from £1,938 to £2,064.
Family-related applications are among the hardest hit. Visa fees for those receiving care from relatives in the UK will jump by £222 to £3,635. Fees for refugee-dependent relatives will increase slightly by £28 to £452.
Work visa applicants will also pay more. Skilled worker visas for stays of up to three years applied for outside the UK will rise from £769 to £819, with similar percentage increases for longer-term permits.
Student visa costs are also climbing. The standard student visa will increase by £34 to £558, while the graduate route visa will rise from £880 to £937 for both main applicants and dependants.
The government says the changes are necessary to manage migration levels and reduce pressure on public services, though critics argue the higher costs may deter genuine applicants and disproportionately affect lower-income migrants.
