Fees & Costs · 6 min read
UK Visa Fees 2026: Complete Breakdown of Every Change from April
Every UK visa fee that changed from 8 April 2026 — Skilled Worker, spouse, student, ILR, and sponsor licence fees. Side-by-side 2025 vs 2026 comparison table.
The Home Office increased fees across most UK visa categories from 8 April 2026. The changes affect Skilled Worker applicants, spouse and family visa applicants, students, and employers applying for or renewing sponsor licences. This post gives you every number in one place.
What changed from 8 April 2026
These are the application fees from 8 April 2026 for the most common visa categories. Fees shown are for standard applications — priority and super-priority service fees are unchanged at £500 and £1,000 respectively.
Work visas — application fees
| Visa type | Duration | Outside UK | Inside UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Up to 3 years | £819 | £827 |
| Skilled Worker | Over 3 years | £1,618 | £1,636 |
| Health and Care Worker | Up to 3 years | £324 | £284 |
| Health and Care Worker | Over 3 years | £648 | £551 |
| High Potential Individual (HPI) | 2–3 years | £880 | £880 |
| Graduate visa | 2–3 years | £700 | £700 |
Family visas — application fees
| Visa type | Outside UK | Inside UK |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse / partner visa (initial) | £2,064 | £1,200 |
| Spouse / partner visa (extension) | N/A | £1,200 |
| Fiancé visa | £2,064 | N/A |
Study visas
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Student visa (outside UK) | £558 |
| Student visa (inside UK) | £558 |
| Child Student visa | £490 |
Settlement — ILR
| Application type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £3,226 |
| Naturalisation as British citizen | £1,605 |
Employer costs — what also changed
Employers who sponsor Skilled Workers pay separate fees that are distinct from the applicant's visa fee. Some of these also changed in April 2026.
| Cost | Rate | Changed April 2026? |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,682 | Yes — was £1,579 |
| Sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £611 | Yes — was £574 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £525 per worker | No change |
| Immigration Skills Charge (large) | £1,320 per year | No change (increased December 2025) |
| Immigration Skills Charge (small) | £480 per year | No change (increased December 2025) |
| Priority sponsor licence processing | £750 | No change |
What did not change
Several significant costs stayed the same in this fee round — worth knowing because these are among the largest individual expenses:
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year for most adult applicants (£776 for students). Last changed February 2024. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt.
- Priority service: £500. Super-priority: £1,000. Both unchanged.
- Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £525. Unchanged.
- Skilled Worker salary thresholds: £41,700 general, £33,400 new entrant. Not affected by the April 2026 fee round.
The total cost rule
The headline application fee is rarely the largest cost. For a 3-year Skilled Worker visa, the Immigration Health Surcharge alone adds £3,105 (£1,035 × 3 years) on top of the £819 application fee — a total of nearly £4,000 before employer costs or dependants. See our complete cost breakdown guide for a full worked example.
When do the new fees apply?
The new fees apply to all applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. If you submitted before that date, your application is processed at the old rates even if the decision is issued after 8 April.
Last verified against GOV.UK: May 2026. Fee source: Home Office immigration and nationality fees. Verify current fees on GOV.UK before submitting any application.
VisaVault is a document preparation service, not an immigration adviser or solicitor. This article is based on current UKVI published guidance and is intended for general information only. Requirements change without notice. Always verify current requirements on GOV.UK before submitting your application.