Home Office Announce Visa Fee Increase from 8 April 2026

As of 8 April 2026, the UK Government shall be increasing immigration fees, affecting a wide range of applications. Overall, most fee increases will be rising by approximately 6-7%, with some categories of visa having more significant increases. For example, a Standard visitor visa (6 months) is rising from £127 to £135, Student visa fees are rising from £524 to £558, and Skilled Worker visa fees (up to three years) are rising from £769 to £819. A full schedule of the proposed changes to the visa fees can be found here: Home Office visa fees from 8 April 2026

The fee increases are not only restricted to individual applicants. Following an increase to the Immigration Skills Charge for sponsors in December 2025, sponsor licence application fees shall also be increasing from £574 to £611 for a small sponsor, or from £1,579 to £1,682 for medium or large sponsors, adding further financial pressure on businesses that rely on international talent.

A more notable change is the rise in settlement application fees. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) fees shall be increasing from £3,029 to £3,226, raising questions about affordability for migrants.

While these increases may appear modest individually, the cumulative effect is significant. They indicate the Government’s commitment to shifting the immigration system to one which is “user-funded” and reflect the Home Office’s intention to balance public finances while maintaining control over migration by making an applicant’s immigration journey more expensive.

If you would like any advice or assistance regarding your immigration matters, then please do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced solicitors in our immigration team.