The cost of coming to, staying in or settling in the United Kingdom is now noticeably higher. From 8 April 2026 the Home Office’s new fee table took effect, raising almost every immigration and nationality charge by between 6 % and 7 %. A six-month visitor visa now costs £135 (up from £127) while a standard Skilled Worker entry-clearance application for up to three years has jumped to £819. Indefinite Leave to Remain has broken the £3,200 barrier and now costs £3,226 per applicant. Officials say the increase is required to keep processing times stable and to ensure the immigration system is “fully funded by those who benefit from it”, continuing the policy direction set when the Immigration Health Surcharge and sponsor licence fees were first introduced. Employers therefore face a higher overall price-tag for recruiting overseas workers just as the talent market tightens and salary thresholds rise.
Universities, which depend on non-UK students for roughly half their tuition income, must also budget for higher visa costs in their 2026 intake modelling.
![UK Visa Fees Rise 6-7% Across All Categories From 8 April 2026]()
At a time when navigating the UK’s fee landscape is becoming increasingly complex, VisaHQ can provide much-needed clarity. Through its dedicated UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) the company offers real-time fee calculators, personalised document checklists and streamlined application support, enabling employers, students and families to understand and manage the true cost of their chosen visa route before any commitments are made.
For applicants the extra pounds come on top of already-elevated living costs and a strong pound. An international student from India now pays £558 for a visa, £776 for the Immigration Health Surcharge and must show at least £12,006 in maintenance funds outside London. Family routes have become dearer too: naturalisation is now £1,709 and even the so-called “budget” Health and Care visa has gone up £20–£38. One rare piece of good news is that registering a child as a British citizen has been cut from £1,214 to £1,000 following a long-running legal campaign.
Immigration advisers warn companies to revisit mobility budgets, assignment cost projections and relocation policies immediately. Sponsors issuing Certificates of Sponsorship after 8 April need to reflect the new figures in pre-assignment cost disclosures and in any claw-back agreements with employees. Payroll teams should also expect larger monthly deductions for employees repaying personal visa costs through salary sacrifice schemes. Ultimately the UK remains a top destination for talent, but rising fees add to a perception that Britain is becoming a premium-priced market. Multinationals are therefore likely to scrutinise the relative cost of placing staff in Britain versus other European hubs, especially once the EU’s own Entry/Exit System fees come into force later this week.
Universities, which depend on non-UK students for roughly half their tuition income, must also budget for higher visa costs in their 2026 intake modelling.
At a time when navigating the UK’s fee landscape is becoming increasingly complex, VisaHQ can provide much-needed clarity. Through its dedicated UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) the company offers real-time fee calculators, personalised document checklists and streamlined application support, enabling employers, students and families to understand and manage the true cost of their chosen visa route before any commitments are made.
For applicants the extra pounds come on top of already-elevated living costs and a strong pound. An international student from India now pays £558 for a visa, £776 for the Immigration Health Surcharge and must show at least £12,006 in maintenance funds outside London. Family routes have become dearer too: naturalisation is now £1,709 and even the so-called “budget” Health and Care visa has gone up £20–£38. One rare piece of good news is that registering a child as a British citizen has been cut from £1,214 to £1,000 following a long-running legal campaign.
Immigration advisers warn companies to revisit mobility budgets, assignment cost projections and relocation policies immediately. Sponsors issuing Certificates of Sponsorship after 8 April need to reflect the new figures in pre-assignment cost disclosures and in any claw-back agreements with employees. Payroll teams should also expect larger monthly deductions for employees repaying personal visa costs through salary sacrifice schemes. Ultimately the UK remains a top destination for talent, but rising fees add to a perception that Britain is becoming a premium-priced market. Multinationals are therefore likely to scrutinise the relative cost of placing staff in Britain versus other European hubs, especially once the EU’s own Entry/Exit System fees come into force later this week.
