UK Visa Fees 2026: What Will Your Application Cost?

The latest UKVI fee table applies to applications made from 8 October 2026.

With the cost of UK immigration applications having increased significantly, it is important to understand exactly what you may need to pay before submitting an application.

The application fee is also often only part of the overall cost. Depending on the immigration route, applicants may need to budget for the Immigration Health Surcharge, priority services and other charges, while employers sponsoring overseas workers may face additional sponsorship costs.

Here are some of the main UK immigration fees applicants and UK employers should be aware of.

Some of the main UK visa fees

For applications made from outside the UK:

For applications made from inside the UK, some fees are different. A Skilled Worker application, for example, costs £943 for up to three years and £1,865 for more than three years.

Not every immigration route allows an application to be made from within the UK, so it is important to check both your eligibility and the correct application process.

Settlement and British citizenship

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) currently costs £3,226 per applicant.

For British citizenship, naturalisation costs £1,709, while registration of a child as a British citizen is £1,000.

Depending on the application, there may also be a separate citizenship ceremony fee.

Don't forget the Immigration Health Surcharge

For many visa applications, the Home Office application fee is not the largest cost. Applicants may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

The current rate is £1,035 per year for most applicants. A reduced rate of £776 per year applies to certain applicants, including Students and their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and applicants who are under 18 when they apply.

The total IHS payable depends on the length of permission being requested. This means that when budgeting for a UK visa, it is important not to look at the application fee in isolation.

Sponsor licence costs for UK businesses

Employers sponsoring overseas workers also need to budget for several potential costs.

A sponsor licence currently costs £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a large sponsor.

A Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker currently costs £525.

Employers may also have to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, which is separate from both the sponsor licence and Certificate of Sponsorship fees.

For a small or charitable sponsor, this is £480 for the first 12 months and £240 for each additional six months. For a medium or large sponsor, it is £1,320 for the first 12 months and £660 for each additional six months.

Whether the Immigration Skills Charge applies will depend on the circumstances of the sponsorship.

What about Priority and Super Priority services?

Where available, applicants may be able to pay for a faster decision. The current additional fees are £500 for Priority service and £1,000 for Super Priority service.

These services are not available for every application or in every location. Paying for a priority service only affects the expected speed of processing. It does not make an application more likely to succeed.

Can a UK visa fee be waived?

In limited circumstances, yes. Some applications are exempt from a fee, while a fee waiver may be available for certain human-rights and other applications where the relevant requirements are met.

A fee waiver is not available simply because an application is expensive. Applicants must meet the relevant criteria and follow the correct process.

What happens to the fee if an application is refused?

A Home Office application fee is not normally refunded simply because an application is refused.

Different rules can apply to the Immigration Health Surcharge and to applications that are withdrawn or rejected as invalid. This is another reason why it is important to understand the requirements of the immigration route before submitting and paying for an application.

Planning the real cost of a UK immigration application

When budgeting for an application, consider more than the headline visa fee. Depending on the route and your circumstances, the overall cost could include:

• Home Office application fee
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Priority or Super Priority service
• Sponsor-related charges where applicable
• Biometric or visa application centre services
• Other third-party costs associated with the application

For families applying together, the overall cost can become substantial because application fees are generally payable for each applicant.

Final Thoughts

UK immigration fees have increased considerably over recent years, making it more important than ever to understand the full cost of an application before starting the process.

The correct fee will depend on the immigration route, where the application is being made and the individual circumstances of the applicant.

Fees can also change, so the applicable Home Office fee should always be checked at the time an application is submitted.

ORSAYA provides clear, practical UK immigration advice to individuals, families and businesses.

Whether you are considering a UK visa application, settlement, British citizenship or sponsorship of an overseas worker, we can advise on the immigration requirements and application process.

ORSAYA — Clear Immigration Guidance. Practical Solutions.

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General information, not advice on an individual case. Fees should be checked at the time of application.