The cost of traveling, studying, or working in the United Kingdom is about to rise as the UK government prepares to implement significant increases in visa fees.
These adjustments, which take effect from April 9, 2025, will impact visitors, students, and professionals seeking entry into the country. Even travelers from visa-exempt nations will face higher costs for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), with fees set to increase from April 2, 2025, a week before the visa changes take effect.
Key Visa Fee Increases
International travelers applying for UK visas will experience notable price hikes across various categories.
The standard visitor visa (up to six months) will increase by 10%, from £115 to £127, the two-year visa will rise from £432 to £475, the five-year visa will increase from £771 to £848 while the ten-year visa will rise from £96 to £1,059.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, introduced for pre-arrival security checks for visa-exempt travelers, will also see a sharp rise in costs. The current ETA fee of $12 will increase by 60% to $20 from April 2, 2025, affecting travelers from countries that do not require a visa but must obtain ETA approval before flying to the UK.
For international students, the rising visa costs present an additional financial burden as the student visa (main applicants and dependents) will increase from £490 to £524, the child student visa will have the same fate as that of the student visa while the short-term English language course visas (six to eleven months) will rise from £200 to £214.
The work visa category is also experiencing substantial increases, particularly for skilled professionals and healthcare workers. Health and Care Worker Visa will rise by 28.2%, from $367 to $470, the skilled worker visa (shortage occupations) will increase by 26.3% to £470, the innovator founder visa will rise from £1,191 to £1,274 and the start-up visa will increase from £435 to £465.
Those seeking permanent residency in the UK will also face higher costs as the ILR application fee will increase from £2,885 to £3,029, a rise of £144.
Analysts caution that these increases will place a greater financial strain on individuals planning to visit, study, or work in the UK. To reduce costs, prospective applicants are advised to submit their applications before April 2025.
Additionally, exploring alternative funding options, sponsorships, or employer-backed visa routes may help ease the financial burden.
With immigration costs continuing to rise, staying informed about UK visa policies is essential for those planning to move or travel to the country.
