UK Visa Fees Set to Rise on 8 April 2026: Home Office Announces 6-7% Increases Across Work, Study, Visit, Settlement and Sponsor Licences

UK visa fees set to rise on 8 April 2026: Home Office announces 6-7% increases across work, study, visit, settlement and sponsor licences.

London, April 4, 2026 — The UK Home Office has confirmed that most immigration, nationality, and sponsorship fees will increase from Monday, 8 April 2026. The rises, generally in the range of 6% to 7%, will affect visa applications, settlement (ILR), sponsor licences, and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

This latest round of fee hikes follows substantial increases in previous years and continues the government’s policy of shifting more of the cost of the immigration system onto applicants and employers.

Key Fee Increases Effective 8 April 2026

Here are some of the most significant changes:

Visitor Visas

• Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months): £127 → £135 (+£8)

Work Visas (outside the UK)

• Skilled Worker (CoS up to 3 years): £769 → £819 (+£50)

• Skilled Worker (CoS over 3 years): £1,519 → £1,618 (+£99)

Work Visas (inside the UK)

• Skilled Worker (up to 3 years): £885 → £943 (+£58)

• Skilled Worker (over 3 years): £1,751 → £1,865 (+£114)

Student Visa

• Main applicant and dependants: £524 → £558 (+£34)

Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

• Standard ILR: £3,029 → £3,226 (+£197)

Sponsor Licences

• Worker Sponsor Licence (large sponsor): £1,579 → £1,682 (+£103)

• Worker Sponsor Licence (small sponsor/charity): £574 → £611 (+£37)

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• £16 → £20 (+£4 or 25%)

Most other routes, including Global Talent, Health and Care Worker visas (which remain cheaper than standard Skilled Worker), and many nationality fees, will also see similar percentage increases.

Why Are Fees Rising?

The Home Office has linked the increases to inflation and the rising cost of running the immigration system. The UK has one of the highest-cost immigration systems among comparable countries, and the government continues to move toward a “user-pays” model.

Note that some fees remain unchanged, including:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assignment fees

• Premium and priority service fees in many cases

• Certain High Potential Individual and Innovator Founder route fees

One positive note: the fee for a child applying for registration as a British citizen has actually decreased.

What This Means for Employers and Applicants

Employers sponsoring skilled workers or holding sponsor licences should budget for higher costs from 8 April onward. The combined impact of visa fees, sponsor licence renewals, and settlement applications can add thousands of pounds to annual immigration budgets.

Individuals planning to apply for visas, extend their stay, or settle in the UK are strongly advised to submit applications before 8 April 2026 where possible to lock in the current lower rates.

Action Points

• Review upcoming visa extensions, sponsor licence renewals, or settlement applications and consider submitting early.

• Update internal cost projections for 2026 recruitment and retention of international talent.

• Check the full official fee table on the GOV.UK website for exact figures for your specific route.

For the latest UK visa fee tables, sponsor licence guidance, and 2026 immigration cost planning tools, explore our complete collection here: UK Visa & Immigration Updates

With another round of increases just days away, April 2026 marks another step in the UK’s long-term shift toward higher immigration costs. Employers and applicants who plan ahead can still benefit from the current fee levels before the deadline.