Planning a trip, study program, or move to the UK? Get ready to pay more.
The UK Home Office has officially announced an increase in visa fees, which will apply to several visa types including visitor, student, and work visas. The new pricing will take effect starting April 9, 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and how it might affect you.
📚 Student Visa Fees Going Up
If you’re planning to study in the UK, you’ll need to pay more for your student visa. The cost of a student visa will increase by 7%, rising from £490 to £524. This applies to main applicants as well as their dependents.
The Child Student visa will also see a similar rise, costing £524.
This is not the first time UK student visa costs have gone up. Just in October 2023, there was a significant hike—over 30% at that time.
For students enrolling in short-term English language courses (lasting between 6 to 11 months), fees are also increasing. The new cost will be £214, up from the previous £200.
🧳 Visitor Visa Costs Also on the Rise
Planning to visit the UK for tourism or short trips? That too will cost more.
A standard six-month visitor visa will go up by 10%, changing from £115 to £127.
Longer visitor visas will also become more expensive :
2-year visa: £475
5-year visa: £848
10-year visa: £1059
Even short transit visas will be affected :
Direct airside transit visa : £39
Landside transit visa : £70
✈️ Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Fee Increases by 60%
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which is required for nationals who don’t need a full visa to visit the UK, is also becoming more expensive. Starting April 2025, the fee will jump from £10 to £16 – a 60% increase.
This change comes as the ETA system is expected to expand to cover EU nationals from April 2, 2025.
Emma English, the Executive Director of the British Educational Travel Association (BETA), expressed concern. She said the rise in costs could reduce international school group visits, which are already affected by Brexit-related ID rules. She added that young travelers help build long-term cultural and economic ties, and these higher costs could discourage them from visiting the UK.
👨💼 Work Visas Also See Fee Hikes
If you’re looking to move to the UK for work, you’ll also need to pay more under the new fee structure.
Here are the key updates:
Skilled Worker visa (up to 3 years): From £719 to £769
Skilled Worker visa (more than 3 years): From £1420 to £1519
Innovator Founder visa: Up by £83, now £1274
Tier 1 Investor visa: From £1884 to £2000
These hikes will impact professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors planning to settle or start businesses in the UK.
🏡 Settlement and Dependent Visas Are Not Spared
Visas under the settlement route are also getting more expensive.
Dependent relative visa: From £3250 to £3413
Indefinite Leave to Enter (under HM Armed Forces rules): Will now cost £3029
These fees affect those looking to join family members or settle long-term in the UK.
🕒 No Change in Priority Processing Services
While most visa categories will cost more, the fees for priority and super-priority services will remain unchanged. So if you’re in a hurry:
Priority service: £500
Super-priority service: £1000
These services allow applicants to get their visa decisions faster than the standard timeline.
📈 Why Are These Changes Happening?
The UK government says that the fee hikes are part of broader efforts to balance immigration-related costs and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
However, critics argue that these rising costs may discourage international students, tourists, and skilled professionals from choosing the UK as a destination. This could affect the UK’s global competitiveness and reduce its appeal to young travelers and foreign talent.
✅ Summary of New Visa Fee Increases (Effective April 9, 2025)
Visa Type Old Fee New Fee
Student Visa £490 £524
Child Student Visa £490 £524
Short-Term English £200 £214
Course
(6-11 months)
Visitor Visa (6 months) £115 £127
Visitor Visa (2 years) £400 £475
Visitor Visa (5 years) £771 £848
Visitor Visa (10 years) £963 £1059
Airside Transit Visa £35 £39
Landside Transit Visa £64 £70
ETA (Electronic Travel
Authorisation) £10 £16
Skilled Worker
Visa (≤3 years) £719 £769
Skilled Worker
Visa (>3 years) £1420 £1519
Innovator
Founder Visa £1191 £1274
Tier 1 Investor Visa £1884 £2000
Dependent
Relative Visa £3250 £3413
Indefinite Leave
to Enter
(Armed Forces) £2885 £3029
Priority Visa Processing £500 No change
Super-Priority
Visa Processing £1000 No change
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