The United Kingdom will implement a 6-7% increase across immigration and nationality fees from April 8, 2026, affecting all major visa categories including work, study, and visit visas. The Home Office announced these adjustments as inflation-linked changes that continue shifting immigration costs toward applicants and employers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | April 8, 2026 |
| Fee Increase | 6-7% across most categories |
| Who’s Affected | All visa applicants and UK employers |
| Reason | Inflation adjustments |
New UK Visa Fees from April 2026
The revised fee structure will impact Indian travelers across multiple visa categories. Skilled Worker visa applications for up to three years will increase from GBP 769 to GBP 819 (approximately ₹67,300), while applications exceeding three years will rise from GBP 1,519 to GBP 1,618 (approximately ₹133,000).
Student visa fees will climb from GBP 524 to GBP 558 (approximately ₹45,800). The popular six-month visit visa will increase from GBP 127 to GBP 135 (approximately ₹11,100).
For applicants already in the UK seeking to extend their stay, costs will be higher. Skilled Worker visa fees will rise from GBP 885 to GBP 943 for up to three years, and from GBP 1,751 to GBP 1,865 for longer durations.
Settlement and Sponsorship Cost Changes
Indefinite Leave to Remain applications will see a significant increase from GBP 3,029 to GBP 3,226 (approximately ₹265,000). This affects long-term residents seeking permanent settlement in the UK.
Employers hiring international talent will face higher costs through increased sponsor licence fees. Large sponsors will pay GBP 1,682 instead of GBP 1,579, while small sponsors will see fees rise from GBP 574 to GBP 611.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation, required for visa-exempt travelers, will increase from GBP 16 to GBP 20 (approximately ₹1,600).
Impact on Indian Visa Applicants
These increases follow previous hikes in the Immigration Skills Charge and Immigration Health Surcharge implemented in 2025. Indian professionals planning to work in the UK through our UK Visa Guide should budget for these higher costs when preparing their applications.
For accurate cost calculations including all associated fees, use our Visa Fee Calculator to plan your UK visa budget effectively.
The cumulative effect of successive fee increases raises the overall expense of hiring and relocating international talent to the UK. Companies sponsoring Indian employees will need to factor these additional costs into their recruitment budgets.
Source: UK Home Office
FAQ
Q: When do the new UK visa fees take effect? A: The increased UK visa fees will be implemented from April 8, 2026, across all visa categories and sponsorship applications.
Q: How much will a UK Student visa cost after the fee increase? A: Student visa fees will increase from GBP 524 to GBP 558, approximately ₹45,800 at current exchange rates.
Q: Are sponsor licence fees also increasing for UK employers? A: Yes, Worker Sponsor Licence fees will rise from GBP 1,579 to GBP 1,682 for large sponsors and GBP 574 to GBP 611 for small sponsors.
Q: What is the reason behind this UK visa fee increase? A: The Home Office has linked these fee increases to inflation, describing them as moderate adjustments of around 6-7% across most categories.