The United Kingdom has significantly raised the cost of entering the country, with new visa application fees that took effect on April 9, 2025. These changes impact nearly every type of visa applicant, including students, skilled professionals, tourists, and those applying for British citizenship. The updated pricing structure has attracted global attention, particularly as it reflects the highest visa fees the UK has ever implemented.
This broad adjustment is part of the UK government’s strategy to tighten post-Brexit border policies while also generating additional revenue during a time of economic uncertainty. The increases are far from symbolic—many categories have seen noticeable jumps in costs.
For example, a standard visitor visa, which previously cost £115, is now priced at £127. Longer-term visitor visas have also become more expensive: a two-year visa now costs £475 (up from £432), five years at £848 (previously £771), and ten years at £1,059 (up from £963). Academic visitors staying between six and twelve months, as well as those seeking private medical treatment for the same duration, are now required to pay £220—both up from £200.
Work-related visas have seen some of the steepest increases. Skilled worker visas valid for up to three years now cost £769 if applied for outside the UK and £885 if applied for from within. For roles lasting more than three years, fees rise to £1,519 and £1,751 respectively. Applicants in shortage occupation roles receive a small reprieve with lower fees—£590 for up to three years and £1,160 for more than three years.
Entrepreneurial routes have also become pricier. The innovator founder visa is now £1,274 (up from £1,191), and the start-up visa has increased to £465 from its earlier cost of £435.
Students haven’t been spared either. The standard student visa for both main applicants and dependents is now £524, up from £490. The same applies to child student visas. Short-term English language study visas, valid for six to eleven months, are now set at £214—up from £200.
Those applying for British citizenship are also facing higher costs. The fee for naturalization is now £1,605, a notable increase from £1,500. Adult nationality registration has risen to £1,446 (from £1,351), while child registration remains at £1,214. Attending a citizenship ceremony now costs £130, up from £80.
Even the Electronic Travel Authorization, required for many travelers, has increased to £16 from £10. And simply transiting through a UK airport using a Direct Airside Transit Visa will now cost £39, a slight rise from the previous £35.
While some premium services—like priority and super priority visa processing—remain at their previous prices, the overall trend reflects a clear intent: the UK is making entry more expensive, and those looking to visit, work, study, or settle will need to factor in significantly higher costs going forward.
