UK ETA, Visas, and Nationality Fee Increase from 8 April 2026

On 18 March 2026, the Home Office has updated the increase in immigration, nationality, and sponsor licence fees. All fee increases will take effect on 8 April 2026. The objective of the fee rise is to reduce the UK immigration system's reliance on taxpayer money. The changes will affect both UK employers and visa applicants, with sponsor licence and application fees increasing across ETA, worker, temporary worker, visitor, study, and citizenship routes.

Major Increase applicable from 8 April 2026

Many immigration fees will rise by 6-7% while the CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, and Immigration Skills Charge will remain unchanged.

Here is a list of the key routes that will see a fee increase effective from 8 April 2026.

1. The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) fee will rise from £16 to £20 – a 25% increase, which is the sharpest increase since the ETA’s introduction in November 2023.

2. Sponsor licence fees will rise from 8 April 2026. Small or charitable sponsors will need to pay an increased fee of £611, and medium or large sponsors will need to pay an increased fee of 1,682. Temporary Worker sponsor licence fees will also increase from the current £574 to £611.

3. Skilled Worker visa fees will increase for applicants from overseas and from within the UK, with higher rates depending on the length of the CoS.

4. Student visa application fees will increase from £524 to £558.

5. Naturalisation (British citizenship) fee will increase from £1,605 to £1,709.

Reduction in Fees

There will be a significant reduction in child citizenship registration as the fee for Nationality registration as a British citizen – child will be lowered from £1,214 to £1,000, which is 18% reduction from the current charges.

Impact on applicants and businesses

The rise in visa fees will make it more difficult for overseas workers and international students, affecting applicants for the UK Skilled Worker visa, UK temporary worker visa, UK Student visa, etc.

On the other hand, the cost of sponsor licenses has also been increased. As a result of this, UK employers will have to make provision for an increased recruitment budget and do cost planning when sponsoring foreign workers.

International students will have to pay more for education in the UK after the rise in application fee, as they also have to meet the tuition fee and living costs in the UK.

An increase in the fee for British citizenship will make naturalisation as a British citizen a further costly affair.

However, a significant reduction in child citizenship registration, as the fee for Nationality registration will ease the cost pressure from the applicants.

UK Visa Fees from 8 April 2026 by Application Category

Here is a list of visas, sponsor licenses, ETA, and nationalities where the fee will increase from 8 April 2026. To see the full list, including where the fee remains unchanged, you can click here.

Please note that the updated fees shown in the tables below as “Fee from 8 April 2026” apply to applications submitted on or after that date. Applications submitted before 8 April 2026 will be charged at the previous rate.

1. Visas and applications made outside the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Visit visa – short up to 6 months	£127	£135	£8
Visit visa – long up to 2 years	£475	£506	£31
Visit visa – long up to 5 years	£848	£903	£55
Visit visa – long up to 10 years	£1,059	£1,128	£69
Visiting academic - more than 6 months but no more than 12 months	£220	£234	£14
Private medical treatment visa - more than 6 months but not more than 11 months	£220	£234	£14
Transit visa - (direct airside transit)	£39	£41.50	£2.50
Transit visit visa - (landside transit)	£70	£74.50	£4.50
Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft	£70	£74.50	£4.50
Other visa	£682	£726	£44
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months - main applicant and dependants	£193	£206	£13
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years - main applicant and dependants	£268	£285	£17
Route to Settlement	£1,938	£2,064	£126
Route to Settlement - other dependant relative	£3,413	£3,635	£222
Route to Settlement - refugee dependant relative	£424	£452	£28
Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules	£3,029	£3,226	£197
Indefinite leave to enter the UK as an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules	£3,029	£3,226	£197
electronic travel authorisation (ETA)	£16	£20	£4
Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a victim of domestic abuse and dependent children under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse to the Immigration Rules	£3,029	£3,226	£197

2. Work – applications made outside the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Innovator Founder - main applicant and dependants	£1,274	£1,357	£83
Start-up - main applicant and dependants	£465	£495	£30
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) - dependants only	£1,274	£1,357	£83
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - - main applicant and dependants	£769	£819	£50
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants	£1,519	£1,618	£99
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants	£1,160	£1,235	£75
Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants	£304	£324	£20
Skilled Worker - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less - main applicant and dependants	£304	£324	£20
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years - main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
T2 Minister of Religion - main applicant and dependants	£769	£819	£50
International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months - main applicant and dependants	£769	£819	£50
Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange, Youth Mobility Scheme and India young professionals scheme visa - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Representative of an overseas business - main applicant and dependants	£769	£819	£50
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker - up to 3 years - main applicant and dependants	£769	£819	£50
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years -main applicant and dependants	£1,519	£1,618	£99
Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker - main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Scale-up - main applicant and dependants	£880	£937	£57

3. Study – applications made outside the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Student - main applicant and dependants	£524	£558	£34
Child Student	£524	£558	£34
Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months	£214	£228	£14

4. Work – applications made in the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Innovator Founder - main applicant and dependants	£1,590	£1,693	£103
Start-up – main applicant and dependants	£625	£666	£41
Graduate Route – main applicant and dependants	£880	£937	£57
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – main applicant and dependants	£1,590	£1,693	£103
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£885	£943	£58
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£1,751	£1,865	£114
Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£1,160	£1,235	£75
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£304	£324	£20
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants	£304	£324	£20
Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants	£590	£628	£38
T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants	£885	£943	£58
International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants	£885	£943	£58
Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants	£885	£943	£58
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants	£885	£943	£58
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years – main applicant and dependants	£1,751	£1,865	£114
Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants	£319	£340	£21
Scale-up – main applicant and dependants	£880	£937	£57

5. Study – applications made in the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Student - main applicant and dependants	£524	£558	£34
Child student	£524	£558	£34

6. Other applications made in the UK

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Visitor Extension - main applicant and dependants	£1,100	£1,172	£72
Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention	£1,321	£1,407	£86
Leave to remain - Other	£1,321	£1,407	£86
Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 30 months - main applicant and dependants	£193	£206	£13
Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 5 years - main applicant and dependants	£268	£285	£17
Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid	£28	£30	£2
Indefinite leave to remain - main applicant and dependants	£3,029	£3,226	£197
Travel Document - Certificate of travel - adult	£300	£320	£20
Travel Document - Certificate of travel - child	£151	£161	£10
Travel Document - Convention travel document - adult	£94.50	£102	£7.50
Travel Document - Convention travel document - child	£61.50	£66.50	£5

7. Sponsorship

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor )	£1,579	£1,682	£103
Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor)	£574	£611	£37
Student sponsor licence	£574	£611	£37
Temporary Worker sponsor licence	£574	£611	£37
Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor)	£1,579	£1,682	£103
Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor)	£1,579	£1,682	£103
Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor)	£1,579	£1,682	£103
Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence	£574	£611	£37
Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence	£1,005	£1,071	£66

8. Nationality

Fees category	Current fee	Fee from 8 April 2026	Fee change
Naturalisation (British citizenship)	£1,605	£1,709	£104
Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens	£1,070	£1,140	£70
Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult	£1,446	£1,540	£94
Nationality registration as a British citizen – child	£1,214	£1,000	-£214
Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult	£964	£1,027	£63
Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – child	£810	£863	£53
Renunciation of nationality	£482	£513	£31
Nationality review	£482	£513	£31
Status Letter (Nationality)	£459	£489	£30
Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality)	£459	£489	£30
Nationality correction to certificate	£428	£456	£28
Nationality – supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration	£428	£456	£28
Nationality reissued Certificate	£428	£456	£28

Please note that not all visa category fees will increase (for example, the UK Family route), and even after the fee increase across various routes, one may still be able to apply for a fee waiver if eligible.

How can Visa and Migration help?

If you want to apply for a sponsor licence before the increased fees come into force, we can help you plan and apply for a sponsor licence quickly.

Similarly, if you want to sponsor international students before the visa fee increases from 8 April 2026, we can help and guide you through the process in a swift manner.

All applicants for work, temporary work, visits, ETA, and British citizenship can contact us for a quick consultation to avoid the fee increase if possible.

For quick expert advice and queries on the new visa fees and sponsor licence fees, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write at info@visaandmigration.com

What are you looking for?

UK ETA, Visas, and Nationality Fee 2026 – Increase from 8 April 2026

Major Increase applicable from 8 April 2026

Reduction in Fees

Impact on applicants and businesses

UK Visa Fees from 8 April 2026 by Application Category

1. Visas and applications made outside the UK

2. Work – applications made outside the UK

3. Study – applications made outside the UK

4. Work – applications made in the UK

5. Study – applications made in the UK

6. Other applications made in the UK

7. Sponsorship

8. Nationality

How can Visa and Migration help?

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