UK Visa and Immigration Application Fees 2026
You will have to pay a processing fee to apply for any of the UK visas or immigration permissions. How much you must pay will vary depending on your UK visa/permission type, the length of permission to remain, and whether you are applying from within the UK or outside.
For more information about the various UK visa fees, immigration health surcharge or other associated costs, what amount you need to pay for yourself and/or your dependants, or whether you can be exempt or be eligible for a refund, call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 today to speak with one of our expert immigration advisers.
UK Visa Fees Overview
Foreign nationals are required to pay a processing fee as part of their UK visa/immigration application process. This is a non-refundable fee, and even if the Home Office refuses your visa application, you will not get a refund.
UK visa application fees vary depending on your visa/permission type, the proposed length of your leave to remain, and where you are applying from (i.e., inside or outside the UK). There may also be associated costs depending on your nationality/country of residence, if your original documents are in a different language than English/Welsh, or if you want to opt for any premium services offered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
This article provides the latest fees for every UK visa and immigration permission type as of 2026, presented in a table format for your easy reference. You may double-check the fee details provided in this article on the Home Office Website: Home Office immigration and nationality fees.
Page Contents
- UK Visa Fees Overview
- Work Visa UK Application Fees
- Study Visa Fees for the UK
- Family Visa UK Application Fees
- General Visa Application Fees for the UK
- Nationality Application Fees
- Premium Services Fees for Applications
- Sponsorship and Sponsor Licence Fees
- Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) Fees
- Other Associated Costs
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Work Visa UK Application Fees
The following table provides the fees you will have to pay to work (or set up and run your own business) in the UK. While the first column specifies the work/business visa category, the second and third columns provide the applicable fees when applying from within and outside the UK, respectively.
| Visa Name | Within the UK | Outside the UK |
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | £1,693 | £1,357 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £666 | £495 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £561 | £561 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £205 | £205 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £766 | £766 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £766 | £766 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £766 | £766 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £1,693 | £1,357 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Skilled worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £819 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,865 | £1,618 |
| Skilled Worker – immigration skill list where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £628 | £628 |
| Skilled Worker, immigration skill list where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,235 | £1,235 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £324 | £324 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £628 | £628 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants for the applications made with a Certificate of Sponsorship issued on or after 4 April 2024 | N/A | £324 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants for the applications made with a Certificate of Sponsorship issued on or after 4 April 2024 | N/A | £628 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £819 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| International Sportsperson where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £819 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £819 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £943 | £819 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £1,865 | £1,618 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants | £340 | £340 |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants | £937 | £937 |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £880 |
Study Visa Fees for the UK
If you are coming to the UK on a Student or Child Student visa (or switching to the same within the UK, you will have to pay the following fees. The table also includes the fees you must pay if you are coming to study a course with less than six months’ duration:
| Visa Name | Within the UK | Outside the UK |
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £558 | £558 |
| Child Student | £558 | £558 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than six months but not more than 11 months | N/A | £228 |
Family Visa UK Application Fees
Family visa applicants are required to pay visa processing fees as per the following:
| Visa Name | Within the UK | Outside the UK |
| Spouse visa (for spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner) | £1,407 | £2,064 |
Family visa applicants may apply for a fee waiver if they can prove that they are unable to pay the same because:
- They do not have, and cannot afford afford, a place to live in the UK
- They have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs (e.g., food or heating)
- Their income is very low, and paying the fee will harm their child’s wellbeing
General Visa Application Fees for the UK
All other visa application fees (barring the immigration and nationality ones) are as follows:
| Visa Name | Within the UK | Outside the UK |
| Visit visa – short up to six months | N/A | £135 |
| Visit visa – long up to two years | N/A | £506 |
| Visit visa – long up to five years | N/A | £903 |
| Visit visa – long up to 10 years | N/A | £1,128 |
| Visiting academic – more than six months but no more than 12 months | N/A | £234 |
| Private medical treatment visa – more than six months but not more than 11 months | N/A | £234 |
| Transit visa (direct airside transit) | N/A | £41.50 |
| Transit visit visa (landside transit) | N/A | £74.50 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | N/A | £74.50 |
| Electronic Visa Waiver | N/A | £30 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | N/A | £154 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode | N/A | £589 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) application made overseas | N/A | |
| Other visa (e.g., Offshore worker, Overseas domestic worker in a private household, or UK ancestry visa) | N/A | £726 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £206 | £206 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for five years – main applicant and dependants | £285 | £285 |
| Route to Settlement (i.e., applications made from outside the UK for Spouse visa, unmarried partner visa, fiancé visa, accompanying dependent child or parent) | N/A | £2,064 |
| Route to Settlement – other dependant relative (adult dependent relative who is not a parent) | N/A | £3,635 |
| Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative (adult dependent relative who is not a parent) | N/A | £452 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | N/A | £3,226 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a foreign or Commonwealth citizen discharged from HM Forces under paragraph 13 of Appendix Armed Forces to the immigration rules | N/A | £3,226 |
| Call out/ out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) – service of consular officers | N/A | £142 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents – consular functions | N/A | £141 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 |
| Visitor Extension – main applicant and dependants | £1,172 | N/A |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1,407 | N/A |
| Leave to remain – Other | £1,407 | N/A |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £30 | N/A |
| Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants | £3,226 | N/A |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | N/A |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Permit which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | N/A |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – adult | £320 | N/A |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – child | £161 | N/A |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – adult | £102 | N/A |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – child | £66.50 | N/A |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | N/A |
Nationality Application Fees
If you are applying for British citizenship, you will need to pay the following fees:
| Cost Category | Applicable Fees |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1,709 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1,140 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult | £1,540 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – child | £1,000 |
| The arrangement of a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). | £130 |
| The administration of a citizenship oath, or oath and pledge where the oath, or oath and pledge, are not administered at a citizenship ceremony or by a justice of the peace. | £5 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult | £1,027 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – child | £863 |
| Renunciation of nationality | £513 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (In the UK) | £589 |
| Nationality review | £513 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £489 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £489 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £456 |
| Nationality – supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £456 |
| Nationality reissued Certificate | £456 |
| Application fee where the applicant is a Chinese national applying in mainland China under the Chinese visa scheme | £135 |
| The citizenship ceremony fee added to the application fee | £130 |
| Additional fee per applicant required to cover the ceremony fee should the minor turn 18 during the application process. This will be requested at point of decision | £130 |
There are certain premium services offered by UKVI to visa applicants at an additional cost. They are optional in nature, meaning you will be required to pay the concerned fees only when you have explicitly opted for them.
For example, you may be able to pay an additional fee to get a faster decision on your visa application. Through the priority visa service, you will get a visa decision usually within five working days (or in case of family visas, within 30 working days). The ‘super priority service’ can be availed to get a decision by the end of the next working day. However, not all visas come with this option and there is a limit on the number of applicants who can apply for a faster decision.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of fees payable for priority and super priority services as well as other premium services offered by the UKVI:
| Visa/Category Name | Within the UK | Outside the UK |
| Expedited processing – Priority service | £500 | N/A |
| Priority Visa service – Settlement | N/A | £500 |
| Priority Visa service – Non-Settlement | N/A | £500 |
| Super Priority Visa service | £1000 | £1000 |
| User Pays Visa Application service | N/A | £76.50 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to provide any premium service relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | N/A | £150 |
| International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) | N/A | £2.74 |
| International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) | N/A | £0.69 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 | N/A |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £72.27 | N/A |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £150 | N/A |
| Premium status checks and advice – Administrative Officer (per minute) | £0.80 | N/A |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.88 | N/A |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.10 | N/A |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.97 | N/A |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.23 | N/A |
UKVI also offers certain premium services at the UK border control points:
| Visa Name | Applicable Fees |
| Registered Traveller (Adult) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £50 |
| Registered Traveller (Child) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £24 |
| Registered Traveller – Registration of New Documents | £20 |
| Fast Track – Heathrow | £10 |
| Fast Track – Other ports of entry | £10 |
Sponsorship and Sponsor Licence Fees
UK-based employers will need to pay certain fees to sponsor a foreign worker to come and work in the UK. The following table provides a detailed breakup of the same:
| Cost Category | Applicable Fees |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8,000 |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £200 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £500 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,682 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £611 |
| Student sponsor licence | £611 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £611 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,682 |
| Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,682 |
| Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,682 |
| Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £611 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £1,071 |
| Endorsement fee for a Scale-up sponsor licence under Endorsing Body Pathway (payable to the endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,500 |
| Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £574 |
| Sponsor action plan | £1,579 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £525 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route, and Scale-up route | £55 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Over 12 Months | £525 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for International Sportsperson route – Up to 12 months or less | £55 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £55 |
Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) Fees
The immigration health surcharge (IHS) is a fee most temporary migrants are required to pay to use the medical and emergency facilities offered by the public-funded National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
Standard Visitor visa holders or people applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK are not required to pay the IHS. If you are a foreign national coming to the UK for more than six months to work, study, set up or run a business, or for family reunification purposes, in most scenarios you will be required to pay the IHS (in addition to your visa processing fees) for both yourself and your eligible dependent family members (if any) as per the following:
| Visa Name | Applicable Fees |
| Student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa – per year | £776 |
| Student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa – two years | £1552 |
| Visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at time of application | £776 |
| All other visa and immigration applications – per year | £1035 |
| All other visa and immigration applications – five years | £5,175 |
| Six months or less – If you’re applying from inside the UK, you’ll have to pay half the yearly cost. Student, Youth Mobility Scheme or under-18 applications | £388 |
| Six months or less – If you’re applying from inside the UK, you’ll have to pay half the yearly cost. For any other application | £517.50 |
Other Associated Costs
Apart from the above mandatory visa processing and optional (i.e., for availing premium services) fees, there may also be certain additional costs which you must keep in mind while applying for your UK visa/immigration permission.
For example, if you are coming to the UK from certain countries (e.g., India or Ghana), you will have to take a tuberculosis test and submit the certificate as part of your UK visa application. The cost for this varies from country to country. Please check on the Home Office site if you are required to produce the same, and if yes, please get in touch with your local British embassy/consulate to understand what it will cost you.
Likewise, if your original documents are not in English or Welsh, you will need to submit certified translated copies of the same. This can be a significant expense depending on your country of residence, and your local British embassy or consulate can help you find out more about it.
How Can Total Law help?
Our Total Law team of expert immigration lawyers have provided end-to-end legal and immigration services to several foreign nationals wishing to obtain a UK visa from outside the UK or applying to switch to a different visa/immigration route inside the UK. A crucial part of our support has been around helping them calculate how much money they will need to pay the required UK visa fees and immigration health surcharges for themselves and their dependants.
Likewise, we have helped many UK-based employers with determining their budget for a sponsor licence application or for assigning a CoS to their foreign hires. We have the required knowledge, experience, and empathy to assist you, regardless of your immigration circumstances.
If you are seeking overall advice with your UK visa fees, would like our immigration experts to guide you with the payment of visa fees and surcharges, or wish to know more about the cost of premium services or other associated expenses, we are happy to help. Call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to speak with one of our team members.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will have to pay your applicable visa fees during your online UK visa application process. A credit or a debit card is the usual accepted mode of payment. However, in certain countries, direct bank transfers or payment through online payment gateways (e.g., PayPal) are also accepted.
UK visa fees are non-refundable in nature. Even if you withdraw your visa application at a later date or the Home Office refuses to grant you a visa, you will not get a refund of the said fees.
No. A UK visa/immigration fee is a one-time payment. Installment payment facility is not available in this regard.
