— Immigration Law Update —
UK Home Office Immigration Fees: Everything That Has Changed From April 2026
Immigration Law · April 2026
From 8 April 2026, the Home Office increased immigration and nationality fees across almost every application type. Whether you are applying for a visa to visit, work, study, or settle in the UK — or applying for British citizenship — the cost has gone up. Here is what you need to know.
At Buckingham Legal Associates, our immigration advisers based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, want to make sure our clients across High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Reading and the surrounding areas are fully informed about the costs involved in their immigration journey. The increases, which range between six and seven percent across most routes, apply to all applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before that date were processed at the previous fee, even if the decision is issued after 8 April.
Visit & Travel
Visitor Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation
The standard visitor visa fee has increased from £127 to £135 for a six-month visa. This applies to main applicants and dependants alike.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) — required for most non-visa nationals visiting the UK — has risen from £16 to £20. This represents a 25% increase and may come as a surprise given that the scheme only launched in late 2023 and was originally priced at just £10.
If you are planning to visit the UK or are helping a family member apply for a visitor visa, it is important to budget for these updated fees and ensure your application is submitted correctly to avoid rejection.
Work Visas
Skilled Worker and Sponsored Work Routes
The Skilled Worker visa fee for applications of up to three years has risen from £769 to £819. The same fee applies to dependants applying at the same time.
For those in eligible health and social care roles, the reduced Health and Care Visa fee has risen to £324 — still substantially cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker route, making it essential to apply under the correct visa category from the outset.
For employers, the sponsor licence application fee for medium and large organisations has increased from £1,579 to £1,682, while the fee for small sponsors has risen to £611. One piece of good news for employers is that the Certificate of Sponsorship fee remains unchanged at £525, following a significant increase in 2025.
Priority and super-priority processing fees for in-country applications also remain unchanged at £500 and £1,000 respectively.
Family Visas
Spouse, Partner and Family Route Applications
For those applying to join a spouse or partner in the UK from outside the country, the fee has risen from £1,938 to £2,064. For in-country applications — such as extensions or switching — the fee has increased from £1,321 to £1,407.
These fees apply per applicant. Where dependent children are also applying, the same fee is charged for each child — there are no family discounts. For a couple applying from outside the UK with one child, the combined visa application fee alone would be over £6,000.
The financial income requirement for partner visas — currently set at £29,000 — has not changed as part of this round of fee increases. If you are planning a partner or spouse visa application, it is worth seeking legal advice early to ensure all requirements are met and costs are properly understood before you apply.
“The cumulative cost of the UK immigration journey — from a first visa to eventual settlement — continues to climb year on year. For families and individuals, understanding the full picture of costs at each stage has never been more important.”
Settlement
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
The ILR application fee — the most expensive single application in the immigration system — has risen by £197 per person, from £3,029 to £3,226. This fee applies to each applicant individually, with no reduction for families applying together.
For a family of four applying for ILR at the same time, the Home Office application fees alone would amount to nearly £13,000 — and that is before accounting for the Life in the UK test, English language tests, legal fees, or document translation costs.
There are no fee waivers available for ILR applications. The full fee must be paid at the point of submission, and an application submitted with the incorrect fee will be rejected as invalid rather than refused — meaning it will not be considered on its merits at all. It is essential to get this right.
British Nationality
Naturalisation, Registration and Citizenship
The fee for naturalisation as a British citizen has increased by £104 to £1,709. Registration as a British citizen has risen to £1,540. A citizenship ceremony fee of £130 is added on top of the application fee.
In a rare piece of positive news, the fee for nationality registration for children has been reduced by £214 — from £1,214 to £1,000. This is a welcome reduction for families looking to register their children as British citizens.
Passport fees are also increasing, with the standard online application from within the UK rising from £94.50 to £102 for adults and from £61.50 to £66.50 for children.
Student Visas
Studying in the UK
The Student visa fee has risen to £558 for both main applicants and dependants, whether applying from inside or outside the UK. This applies to the standard student route as well as child students.
International students should also bear in mind the Immigration Health Surcharge — paid upfront for the full duration of the visa — which remains one of the most significant additional costs of studying in the UK. Anyone planning to study here should factor all of these costs together when budgeting for their application.
These fee increases are part of the Government’s long-standing policy that the immigration system should be self-funded by applicants and sponsors, rather than by general taxation. However, the cumulative financial pressure now placed on migrants — particularly those on longer routes to settlement and citizenship — is substantial and continues to grow year on year. For individuals and families in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas who are navigating the UK immigration system, understanding the full cost of each stage of the process from the outset is essential.
If you are planning to make an immigration application — whether for a skilled worker visa, spouse or partner visa, settlement, British citizenship, or any other route — and are unsure of the current fees, the correct visa category, or how to prepare your application to avoid costly mistakes, Buckingham Legal Associates is here to help. As experienced immigration advisers serving High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Reading and clients nationwide, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to your individual circumstances. Getting expert immigration advice before you apply can save you significant time, money and unnecessary stress.
Book a Consultation
Speak to an Immigration Adviser in High Wycombe, Reading or Across Our Offices
Buckingham Legal Associates offers one-to-one immigration consultations with an experienced immigration adviser, accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). Our consultations can be held in person at our offices in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes or Reading, by telephone, or via a Zoom video call — whichever suits you best.
A consultation is an opportunity to speak directly to an expert about your immigration matter, understand your options, and receive clear written advice to follow up on what we discuss. Whether you are in the early stages of planning an application, concerned about the impact of fee increases on your timeline, or dealing with a more complex immigration issue, we are here to guide you.
Our immigration consultation fee is £180 (inclusive of VAT). This covers a one-hour appointment with a qualified caseworker and written follow-up advice. To book, you can call us, email us, or book directly through our website.
We assist clients with a wide range of immigration matters including skilled worker visas, spouse and partner visas, visit visas, student visas, indefinite leave to remain, British citizenship, asylum, appeals and tribunals, sponsor licences, administrative review, and pre-action protocol claims. Whatever your situation, our team is ready to help.
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This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration fees change regularly and you should always verify the current fees on GOV.UK before submitting any application. If you require advice tailored to your individual circumstances, please contact Buckingham Legal Associates directly to arrange a consultation. Buckingham Legal Associates is authorised and regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), Licence number F201200647.