By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
HIGHER COSTS for visa, residency, and citizenship applications will take effect from April 8, 2026, as the government of the United Kingdom (UK) implements a revised fee structure across multiple immigration categories.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the updated schedule, published by the United Kingdom Home Office (UKHO), applies to applications submitted both within and outside the UK, covering visit visas, student visas, work visas, settlement, and naturalisation.
Nigerians are also identified as one of the largest groups of UK visa applicants and are expected to be affected by the changes.
The UKHO notes that short term visit visas of up to six months will increase from £127 to £135, while student visas will rise from £524 to £558.
Indefinite leave to remain will move from £3,029 to £3,226, and naturalisation as a British citizen will increase from £1,605 to £1,709.
Across visit visa categories, long term visas valid for up to two years will increase from £475 to £506, while five year visas will move from £848 to £903.
Ten-year visit visas will rise from £1,059 to £1,128.
Visiting academic visas for more than six months up to 12 months will increase from £220 to £234, with the same adjustment applied to private medical treatment visas within that duration.
Direct airside transit visas will increase from £39 to £41.50, while landside transit visas will move from £70 to £74.50.
Student visa fees for both main applicants and dependants, as well as child students, will increase from £524 to £558.
Short term student visas for English language courses lasting more than six months up to 11 months will rise from £214 to £228.
Work visa categories will also see increases.
Skilled Worker visas of up to three years will move from £769 to £819, while those exceeding three years will rise from £1,519 to £1,618.
Skilled Worker visas under the Immigration Salary List will increase from £590 to £628 for up to three years and from £1,160 to £1,235 for over three years.
Health and Care visas will rise from £304 to £324 for up to three years and from £590 to £628 for longer durations.
Innovator Founder visas will increase from £1,274 to £1,357.
Startup visas from £465 to £495 and Scale-up visas from £880 to £937.
The High Potential Individual visa remains unchanged at £880, while the Graduate Route visa will rise from £880 to £937. T2 Minister of Religion visas will increase from £769 to £819.
International Sportsperson visas will move from £319 to £340 for up to 12 months and from £769 to £819 for longer periods.
Temporary Work routes will increase from £319 to £340, while Representative of an Overseas Business visas will rise from £769 to £819.
Global Business Mobility routes will also be adjusted. Senior or Specialist Worker visas will increase from £769 to £819 for up to three years and from £1,519 to £1,618 for longer periods.
Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier, UK Expansion Worker, and Secondment Worker visas will each rise from £319 to £340.
Settlement related fees will increase across several categories.
The route to settlement will move from £1,938 to £2,064, while other dependent relatives under this route will see fees rise from £3,413 to £3,635.
Refugee dependent relative applications will increase from £424 to £452.
Indefinite leave to remain will rise from £3,029 to £3,226.
Visitor extensions within the UK will increase from £1,100 to £1,172, while other leave to remain applications will rise from £1,321 to £1,407.
Travel document fees will also be revised.
Certificates of travel for adults will increase from £300 to £320 and for children from £151 to £161.
Convention travel documents will rise from £94.50 to £102 for adults and from £61.50 to £66.50 for children.
JKNewsMedia.com also reports the UKHO as indicating that Nationality and Citizenship fees will see further adjustments.
Naturalisation as a British citizen will increase from £1,605 to £1,709.
Registration as a British citizen for adults will rise from £1,446 to £1,540, while registration for children will decrease from £1,214 to £1,000.
Renunciation of nationality and nationality review fees will both increase from £482 to £513.
Status letters and non-acquisition letters for nationality will rise from £459 to £489.
The revised fees, according to the UKHO, are expected to increase the cost of applications for individuals, families, and businesses planning to visit, study, work, or settle in the UK.
Consequently, applicants are advised to submit applications before April 8, 2026, to access the current lower fees where possible.
