New Self-Sponsorship Packages Now Available: Essential & Executive.
Top UK Immigration Lawyers with Over 5000 Successful Applications
Mon- Friday | 9am- 6pm | BST
cost of a UK visa

How much does a UK visa cost?

Feb 08, 2024

It seems that UK visa prices are always changing. With this in mind, we have pulled together the most recent UK visa prices across all categories. These rates are accurate as of April 2025. We will continually update this article as prices change so that you always have a reliable source of information.

In this guide, we will not only cover UK visa fees, but we will also look at additional fees you may face, such as the Immigration Health Surcharge. If you are a UK employer hiring workers from overseas, we have also included the latest prices for UK visa sponsorship. And finally, if you hope to take the path to citizenship, we have also listed the relevant latest fees.

Bookmark this page if you want to know the latest UK visa fees and upcoming changes that might impact you. Knowing when visa fee increases are expected can save you a lot of money if you are applying for your first visa or renewing an existing visa.

UK Visa Fees in 2025

Below you will find the latest visa fees for a wide range of visa categories:

Visa typeApplication from outside the UKApplication from inside the UK
Family Visas (Spouse, Partner, Fiance, Child, Parent)£1,846£1,258
Family Visas (Adult Dependent)£3,250£1,258
Student£524£524
GraduateNA£880
Visitor (6 months)£127£1,100
Visitor in Transit (landside)£70£70
Visitor in Transit (airside)£39£39
Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor£127NA
Ancestry£682£1,258
British Overseas National Living in Hong Kong (2 years and 6 months)£193£193
British Overseas National Living in Hong Kong (5 years)£268£268
Skilled Worker Visa (Up to 3 years)£769£885
Skilled Worker Visa (More than 3 years)£1,519£1,751
Health and Care Worker Visa (Up to 3 years)£284£284
Health and Care Worker Visa (More than 3 years)£551£551
Temporary Worker£298£298
Overseas Domestic Worker£682NA
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)– Up to 3 years£769£885
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)– More than 3 years£1,519£1,751
Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)£298£298
International Sportsperson (up to 12 months)£298£298
International Sportsperson (more than 12 months)£769£885
Minister of Religion£769£885
Representative of an Overseas Business£769£885
Scale-up Worker visa£822£822
Innovator Founder visa£1,274£1,590
Global Talent£766£766
Indefinite leave to remain£3,029

Priority Processing Fees 

Sometimes, you might be in a hurry and need a decision on your visa application faster than the stated timescales. In this case, you can choose to apply for priority processing.

How much this costs will depend on where you are applying from and your visa category. There are also fees associated with checking the status of your application and submitting queries to the relevant department.

Optional Services from Outside the UK:

Premium serviceCost
Priority Visa service – Settlement£500
Priority Visa service – Non-settlement£500
Super Priority Visa service£1,000
International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query)£2.74
International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute)£0.69

Optional Premium Services Inside the UK:

Premium serviceCost
Super priority service£1,000
Expedited processing – priority service£500

Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to your visa application fee, many applicants will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS). This is an additional fee that covers the use of the National Health Service (NHS) while in the UK.

This fee must be paid before the Home Office process your application. If you fail to pay this fee, they might cancel your application.

The Current Immigration Health Surcharge is as Follows:

  • Student visa: £776 per year
  • Youth Mobility Scheme visa £776 per year
  • Visa applicants aged 18 and under: £776 per year
  • All other visa applicants: £1,035 per year

You will pay the full amount for the duration of your visa upfront. You cannot pay on an annual basis.

Cost of Becoming a UK Visa Sponsor

If you would like to expand your UK workforce with overseas workers, you will need to become a UK visa sponsor. Various fees apply to this process.

The current costs of a UK visa sponsor licence are as follows:

Type of licenceFee for small or charitable sponsorFee for medium or large sponsor
Worker £574£1,579
Temporary Worker£574£574
Worker and Temporary Worker£574£1,579
Add a Worker licence to an existing Temporary Worker licenceNo fee£1,005
Add a Temporary Worker licence to an existing Worker licenceNo feeNo fee

In addition to your sponsor licence fee, you will also need to pay the following fees:

  • Certificate of sponsorship: £239 per applicant
  • Immigration skills charge: Varies, depending on the size of the organisation and the length of the contract.
PeriodFee for small or charitable sponsorFee for medium or large sponsor
First 12 months£364£1,000
Each additional 6 months£182£500

Citizenship Fees

If you have been in the UK for long enough and meet the eligibility criteria, you may choose to apply for British Citizenship. This will grant you the right to a UK passport and full protection of your right to live in the UK. It can be a momentous occasion for many people.

British Citizenship CategoryFee
Citizenship by naturalisation£1,605
Citizenship by naturalisation (British overseas territory citizens)£1,070
Citizenship by registration (adult)£1,446
Citizenship by registration (child)£1,214
Renunciation of British citizenship£482

Get Immigration Assistance

Refer to this fee schedule, which is updated as of April 2025, before you start any UK visa or immigration application. Bookmark it so you’ll always spot fee changes right away. When it comes to UK immigration, thorough paperwork makes a big difference. That’s why talking with an immigration specialist can be so helpful. At A Y & J Solicitors, we guide you through each step on all visa and immigration matters.

At A Y & J Solicitors, we have handled over 100s of successful UK visa and immigration applications. With a 95% success rate, we have achieved an overall track record of 5,000+ successful immigration and visa cases through our result-driven approach to every application. We take on each client with the genuine intention to provide our undivided care and attention to their case. We guide you through every step of your immigration process, so you can trust the experts to manage your application and work toward your success.

Why A Y & J Solicitors?

With over thousands of successful immigration cases to our name, A Y & J Solicitors has built its reputation on trust, care, and real results. Over the 15+ years of working in UK immigration law, we’ve helped individuals and businesses confidently navigate sponsor licences, UK visas, and ILR applications. We’re proud to be recognised by The Legal 500, but it’s our clients’ peace of mind that matters most. When you work with us, you get clear advice, honest support, and a team that’s truly on your side.

How Can A Y & J Help?

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with UK visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or contact us today. We’re here to help!

Profile Picture

Yash Dubal

Yash Dubal, CEO & Founder of A Y & J Solicitors, is an award-winning UK immigration lawyer and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience. He has led the firm to national acclaim, including wins at the IoD Director of the Year Awards and the Growing Business Awards. Yash is the founder and trustee of Eklavya, a UK-based charity supporting underprivileged children in India through education. A dedicated mindfulness practitioner, he integrates spiritual growth into his leadership while continuously striving to maintain peak mental and physical well-being. His dedication to immigrant success is unwavering.

More from AY&J Solicitors

Can I Bring My Parents to the UK Permanently?

Your parents cared for you in your youth, so it’s only natural to want to return the favour when they...

How Many Immigrants Are in the UK?

Overview of Immigrants in the UK The number of immigrants in the UK is often a hot topic in the...

How to Write a Invitation Letter for UK Visa

If a friend or loved one would like to come to the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, including a...

Experience Fast and Reliable Results

Experience Fast and Reliable Results

Click here to contact usPhone icon+44 20 7404 7933WhatsApp icon+44 20 7404 7933
Contact us by mail iconContact us by phone iconContact us by WhatsApp icon