The UK Home Office has announced an increase in fees for a wide range of visa applications, residency permits, and citizenship processes, with the new rates set to take effect from April 8, 2026.
The revised fee structure, which affects Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to travel, study, work, or settle in the United Kingdom, shows upward adjustments across nearly all visa categories. The changes were detailed in an official schedule published by the Home Office.
Nigeria remains one of the largest sources of applicants to the UK, with thousands applying annually for visit, student, and work visas, making the new fee regime particularly significant for prospective travellers.
Under the new rates, the standard short-term visit visa (up to six months) will increase from £127 to £135, while the student visa fee rises from £524 to £558. Applicants seeking permanent residency through Indefinite Leave to Remain will now pay £3,226, up from £3,029. Similarly, the cost of naturalising as a British citizen increases from £1,605 to £1,709.
In a rare exception, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been reduced from £1,214 to £1,000, representing a £214 decrease. However, most other application categories will either see increases or remain unchanged.
Full Breakdown of New UK Visa Fees
Visit Visas
Short-term (up to 6 months): £127 → £135
Long-term (2 years): £475 → £506
Long-term (5 years): £848 → £903
Long-term (10 years): £1,059 → £1,128
Visiting academic (up to 12 months): £220 → £234
Private medical treatment visa: £220 → £234
Airside transit visa: £39 → £41.50
Landside transit visa: £70 → £74.50
Student Visas
Student (main applicant & dependants): £524 → £558
Child Student: £524 → £558
Short-term English language (6–11 months): £214 → £228
Work Visas
Skilled Worker (up to 3 years): £769 → £819
Skilled Worker (over 3 years): £1,519 → £1,618
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List): £590 → £628 (up to 3 years), £1,160 → £1,235 (over 3 years)
Health and Care Visa: £304 → £324 (up to 3 years), £590 → £628 (over 3 years)
Innovator Founder: £1,274 → £1,357
Start-up: £465 → £495
Scale-up: £880 → £937
High Potential Individual: £880 (unchanged)
Graduate Route: £880 → £937
Temporary Work routes: £319 → £340
Global Business Mobility routes: £319 → £340 (various categories)
Settlement & Residency
Route to Settlement: £1,938 → £2,064
Dependant relative: £3,413 → £3,635
Refugee dependant: £424 → £452
Indefinite Leave to Remain: £3,029 → £3,226
Visitor extension (in-country): £1,100 → £1,172
Leave to remain (other): £1,321 → £1,407
Travel Documents
Certificate of travel (adult): £300 → £320
Certificate of travel (child): £151 → £161
Convention travel document (adult): £94.50 → £102
Convention travel document (child): £61.50 → £66.50
Nationality & Citizenship
Naturalisation (British citizenship): £1,605 → £1,709
Registration (adult): £1,446 → £1,540
Registration (child): £1,214 → £1,000 (reduced)
Renunciation of nationality: £482 → £513
Nationality review: £482 → £513
Status letter: £459 → £489
Non-acquisition letter: £459 → £489
Implications for Nigerians
The fee increases come at a time when many Nigerians continue to seek opportunities in the UK for education, employment, and long-term settlement. The higher costs are expected to add to the financial burden on applicants, especially amid ongoing economic pressures.
With the new charges taking effect in early April, prospective applicants are advised to review the updated fees and plan accordingly before submitting applications.