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How much does a UK visa cost in 2026? A six-month Standard Visitor visa costs £135, a Student visa £558, and a standard Skilled Worker visa from £819 for up to three years when applying from outside the UK. A spouse visa costs £2,064 from outside the UK, while indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or UK settlement costs £3,226. Many longer-term visa applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
This guide separates Home Office application fees, IHS, employer sponsorship costs and professional advice charges. Figures are drawn from the Home Office schedule effective 8 October 2026.
Key takeaways: UK visa costs in 2026
- UK visa fees vary according to route, duration and whether you apply inside or outside the UK.
- The six-month Standard Visitor visa fee is £135; a Student visa costs £558.
- Standard Skilled Worker visa fees range from £819 to £1,865 depending on application location and duration.
- The IHS generally costs £1,035 per year for adults, with a £776 discounted annual rate for specified categories.
- UK settlement through ILR costs £3,226 for a standard chargeable application and does not attract IHS.
- Employer sponsorship fees and professional advice are separate from visa application fees.
UK visa fees 2026: comparison table
The figures below are application fees only; they do not include IHS, optional priority services or professional charges.
| Visa or application | 2026 Home Office fee | Other costs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor (6 months) | £135 | No IHS for a typical overseas visitor application |
| Standard Visitor (2, 5, 10 years) | £506 / £903 / £1,128 | Length of each visit remains restricted |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | £819 overseas / £943 in UK | IHS generally payable |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | £1,618 overseas / £1,865 in UK | IHS generally payable |
| Health and Care Worker (up to 3 years) | £324 | Qualifying applicants generally exempt from IHS |
| Student / Child Student | £558 | Discounted IHS generally payable |
| Spouse or partner family visa | £2,064 overseas / £1,407 in UK | IHS generally payable |
| Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) | £3,226 | No IHS for settlement |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | £340 | Discounted IHS generally payable |
UK visa fee increases in 2026: what changed?
Some Home Office fees rose on 8 April 2026, including the six-month visitor visa, which increased from £127 to £135. The government published a revised schedule effective 8 October 2026, but the headline fees for the main visa categories shown above did not increase again at that point. A newly published schedule should not automatically be described as a further across-the-board increase.
Check the current official fees table before applying, particularly if you are budgeting for a future application.
How much does a UK visitor visa cost?
A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for six months, £506 for two years, £903 for five years and £1,128 for ten years. Longer-term visitor visas allow repeat travel but do not ordinarily permit someone to remain in the UK continuously for the visa's full validity. A short overseas visitor visa does not normally attract the IHS. Some nationalities may instead require an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which is a different permission.
How much does a UK Skilled Worker visa cost?
For a standard Skilled Worker application from overseas, the fee is £819 for up to three years or £1,618 for longer. The equivalent in-country fees are £943 and £1,865. Some applicants qualify for lower rates. The eligible Health and Care Worker visa fee is £324 for up to three years or £628 for longer; qualifying applicants and dependants are generally exempt from the IHS.
The worker's visa fee is separate from the costs incurred by the sponsoring employer, such as the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and Immigration Skills Charge. Read our Skilled Worker visa guide for the eligibility and sponsorship requirements.
How much does a UK spouse or partner visa cost?
A spouse or partner family visa costs £2,064 from outside the UK or £1,407 for a qualifying application from within the UK. The IHS is normally additional. For a typical overseas application involving 33 months of leave, an adult's IHS is £3,105, making the combined application and IHS charges £5,169 before any other costs. The actual amount depends on the application and any exemptions.
Our UK spouse and partner visa guide covers the route and supporting evidence.
How much does a Student visa cost?
The Student and Child Student visa fee is £558. Students generally pay the discounted IHS of £776 per year. The IHS calculation depends on the length of immigration permission, which may extend beyond the course dates. Eligible dependants must budget for separate application and IHS charges.
How much does indefinite leave to remain or UK settlement cost?
The standard Home Office application fee for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and UK settlement is £3,226 per person. The IHS is not charged for ILR. Where required, the Life in the UK test costs £50, bringing the illustrative total to £3,276 before other expenses. Some settlement routes have different fees or exemptions. Eligibility for settlement depends on the relevant immigration route and current rules; proposed earned settlement changes are not automatically law.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in 2026
Most adults applying for time-limited UK immigration permission pay £1,035 per year. The discounted annual rate of £776 generally applies to students and their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and under-18s. IHS is normally paid upfront, and the exact total depends on the visa duration and calculation rules. For three years, the standard IHS is £3,105 and the discounted rate totals £2,328. Certain categories, including qualifying Health and Care Worker applicants, are exempt. Check the official IHS guidance.
Worked examples: the total cost of a UK visa
- Three-year Skilled Worker visa from overseas: £819 visa fee + £3,105 IHS = £3,924.
- Three-year Skilled Worker visa in the UK: £943 visa fee + £3,105 IHS = £4,048.
- Overseas spouse visa with a typical 33-month grant: £2,064 application fee + £3,105 IHS = £5,169.
- Standard ILR application: £3,226 application fee + £50 Life in the UK test, where required = £3,276.
These examples exclude optional services, evidence costs, professional fees and dependants. The Home Office calculates the exact amount due during an application.
Who pays visa fees, employer sponsorship costs and professional fees?
Applicants should distinguish three categories of expense. Home Office applicant charges include visa fees, IHS and optional priority processing. Employer sponsorship costs can include sponsor licence charges, CoS fees and the Immigration Skills Charge, subject to rules on what employers may recover from sponsored workers. Professional fees cover regulated immigration advice and application preparation; they are separate from government charges.
Immtell advises individuals and businesses on the appropriate immigration route, application evidence and costs. We agree the scope and our professional fees before beginning work.
Priority and super priority UK visa fees
Priority processing generally costs an additional £500 and super priority £1,000, where available. The target decision timeframe varies by route and location, and complex cases may take longer. Some overseas family visa priority services have different target processing times. Check the official faster decision guidance before relying on an expedited decision date.
Other costs to budget for
Depending on the visa route, applicants may need to pay for English language tests, tuberculosis screening, translations, qualification assessments, optional biometric appointment services or courier charges. Some biometric appointments are free; premium slots may cost extra. These expenses are not universally applicable and should be assessed individually.
“When people ask how much a UK visa costs, the application fee is often only part of the answer. For longer visas, the healthcare surcharge can be considerably more expensive. Employers also need to separate the worker's costs from the charges they are responsible for as a sponsor. Getting the full budget right at the outset avoids unwelcome surprises.”
Gavin Webster, Managing Director, Immtell
Meet Immtell: Who we are and how we help
Find out more about our approach to UK immigration advice and the experience behind our services.
How Immtell can help with your UK visa application
Our founder and Managing Director, Gavin Webster, has 23 years of UK immigration experience, including 13 years with the Home Office. We help clients understand eligibility, prepare applications and plan the full financial commitment. You can book a consultation for tailored advice.
Frequently asked questions about UK visa fees
How much does a UK visa cost in 2026?
UK visa fees in 2026 vary by route. A six-month Standard Visitor visa costs £135, a Student visa £558, and a standard Skilled Worker visa up to three years costs £819 from outside the UK or £943 from inside. Immigration Health Surcharge and other costs may apply.
How much are UK visitor visa fees in 2026?
A six-month UK Standard Visitor visa costs £135 in 2026. Longer-validity visitor visas cost £506 for two years, £903 for five years and £1,128 for ten years, without allowing an uninterrupted stay for the entire visa validity.
Did UK visa fees increase in 2026?
Some UK visa fees increased on 8 April 2026. A revised fee schedule took effect on 8 October 2026, but that did not increase the main visitor, Skilled Worker, student, spouse or ILR charges shown in this guide again.
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026?
The Immigration Health Surcharge is normally £1,035 per year for adults or £776 per year for students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and children under 18. It is generally paid upfront for the applicable visa duration.
How much does a three-year Skilled Worker visa cost including IHS?
A standard three-year Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK costs £819 plus £3,105 IHS, totalling £3,924 for an adult. The corresponding in-country total is £4,048. These examples exclude dependants, employer sponsorship and professional fees.
How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2026?
A UK spouse or partner family visa costs £2,064 for an overseas application or £1,407 for a qualifying in-country application. The Immigration Health Surcharge is normally additional.
What is the UK settlement or ILR fee in 2026?
The standard UK settlement or indefinite leave to remain application fee in 2026 is £3,226 per person. ILR applications do not attract the Immigration Health Surcharge. Some routes have exemptions or different charging arrangements.
How much does a Student visa cost including IHS?
A UK Student visa application costs £558 in 2026. The discounted IHS is generally £776 per year, with the total calculated using the immigration permission duration rather than only the course dates.
How much does UK visa priority processing cost?
UK visa priority processing generally costs an extra £500 where available, while super priority costs £1,000. Availability and target decision times vary by visa route and application location.
Do UK visa fees include professional immigration advice?
UK Home Office visa fees do not include professional immigration advice, IHS where applicable, optional priority processing, medical tests, translations or employer sponsorship charges. These should be budgeted separately.
Need help with your UK visa application?
We can assess the appropriate visa route, explain the total costs and help prepare your application.
Fees checked against the Home Office schedule effective 8 October 2026. Last reviewed 13 November 2026. Check GOV.UK for charges in force at the time of application.
