UK Visa Fees to Increase From October 4, Affecting Students and Visitors

The UK government has announced that a proposed increase in visa fees will be implemented from October 4. This change will result in higher costs for visa applicants, including a GBP 15 increase for visit visas lasting less than six months and a GBP 127 increase for student visas for applicants worldwide, including Indians.

The adjustment aligns the cost of a visit visa for less than six months to GBP 115 and sets the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK at GBP 490, equivalent to the amount charged for in-country applications.

The decision to raise fees follows an announcement by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in July, where he indicated that fees and health surcharges paid by visa applicants to support the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) would rise significantly to meet increased public sector wage expenses.

The UK Home Office disclosed that most work and visit visas will experience a 15% fee increase, with priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship facing at least a 20% hike.

These fee adjustments are applicable across various visa categories, including health and care visas, applications for British citizenship, and various visit visas spanning from six months to ten years. The changes also extend to entry clearance fees, applications for leave to remain in the UK for work and study, indefinite leave to enter and remain, and fees related to sponsorship certificates and acceptance confirmations for studies.

These changes are contingent on parliamentary approval and are expected to take effect on October 4, as stated by the Home Office.