UK Visa Fees Rise 6-7% Across All Categories — New Rates from 8 April 2026
The UK Home Office has increased immigration and nationality fees across all visa categories by approximately 6-7%, effective 8 April 2026. The standard 6-month visit visa — the most common type for UAE residents — rises from £127 to £135. Student visas increase from £524 to £558, and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt nationals goes from £16 to £20. These increases follow substantial hikes to the Immigration Health Surcharge and Immigration Skills Charge in previous years. OraVisa breaks down every fee change that affects UAE residents.
What Changed on 8 April 2026
The UK Home Office published revised immigration and nationality fees that took effect on 8 April 2026. Most visa application fees — including visit, work, study, and settlement routes — increased by approximately 6 to 7 percent. Sponsor licence fees for UK employers also increased. The changes apply to all new applications submitted on or after 8 April.
These increases are linked to inflation and follow a pattern of annual fee adjustments. However, they come on top of significant increases to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and Immigration Skills Charge introduced in 2024 and 2025, making the cumulative cost of UK immigration substantially higher than two years ago.
New UK Visa Fees — Full Comparison
UK Visit Visa Fees (Applied from Outside UK)
| Visa Type | Old Fee (GBP) | New Fee (GBP) | Increase | Approx. AED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visit (6 months) | £127 | £135 | +£8 (6.3%) | ~AED 640 |
| Long Visit (2 years) | £475 | £506 | +£31 (6.5%) | ~AED 2,400 |
| Long Visit (5 years) | £848 | £903 | +£55 (6.5%) | ~AED 4,280 |
| Long Visit (10 years) | £1,059 | £1,128 | +£69 (6.5%) | ~AED 5,350 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 | +£4 (25%) | ~AED 95 |
Standard Visit (6 months)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £127
- New Fee (GBP)
- £135
- Increase
- +£8 (6.3%)
- Approx. AED
- ~AED 640
Long Visit (2 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £475
- New Fee (GBP)
- £506
- Increase
- +£31 (6.5%)
- Approx. AED
- ~AED 2,400
Long Visit (5 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £848
- New Fee (GBP)
- £903
- Increase
- +£55 (6.5%)
- Approx. AED
- ~AED 4,280
Long Visit (10 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £1,059
- New Fee (GBP)
- £1,128
- Increase
- +£69 (6.5%)
- Approx. AED
- ~AED 5,350
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £16
- New Fee (GBP)
- £20
- Increase
- +£4 (25%)
- Approx. AED
- ~AED 95
UK Work, Study & Settlement Fees (Applied from Outside UK)
| Visa Type | Old Fee (GBP) | New Fee (GBP) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | £524 | £558 | +£34 (6.5%) |
| Child Student Visa | £524 | £558 | +£34 (6.5%) |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | £769 | £819 | +£50 (6.5%) |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | £1,519 | £1,618 | +£99 (6.5%) |
| Health & Care Visa (up to 3 years) | £304 | £324 | +£20 (6.6%) |
| Global Business Mobility (up to 3 years) | £769 | £819 | +£50 (6.5%) |
| Start-up Visa | £465 | £495 | +£30 (6.5%) |
| Scale-up Visa | £880 | £937 | +£57 (6.5%) |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | £3,029 | £3,226 | +£197 (6.5%) |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) | £1,605 | £1,709 | +£104 (6.5%) |
| Child Registration (British citizenship) | £1,214 | £1,000 | -£214 (reduced) |
Student Visa
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £524
- New Fee (GBP)
- £558
- Increase
- +£34 (6.5%)
Child Student Visa
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £524
- New Fee (GBP)
- £558
- Increase
- +£34 (6.5%)
Skilled Worker (up to 3 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £769
- New Fee (GBP)
- £819
- Increase
- +£50 (6.5%)
Skilled Worker (over 3 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £1,519
- New Fee (GBP)
- £1,618
- Increase
- +£99 (6.5%)
Health & Care Visa (up to 3 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £304
- New Fee (GBP)
- £324
- Increase
- +£20 (6.6%)
Global Business Mobility (up to 3 years)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £769
- New Fee (GBP)
- £819
- Increase
- +£50 (6.5%)
Start-up Visa
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £465
- New Fee (GBP)
- £495
- Increase
- +£30 (6.5%)
Scale-up Visa
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £880
- New Fee (GBP)
- £937
- Increase
- +£57 (6.5%)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £3,029
- New Fee (GBP)
- £3,226
- Increase
- +£197 (6.5%)
Naturalisation (British citizenship)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £1,605
- New Fee (GBP)
- £1,709
- Increase
- +£104 (6.5%)
Child Registration (British citizenship)
- Old Fee (GBP)
- £1,214
- New Fee (GBP)
- £1,000
- Increase
- -£214 (reduced)
Key Fee Facts
- The 6-month visit visa is now £135 (~AED 640) — the most common UK visa for UAE residents.
- The ETA saw the largest percentage increase at 25% (£16 → £20) — affects Emirati, Saudi, Qatari, and Bahraini nationals.
- Student visa is now £558 — plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035/year on top.
- ILR (permanent residency) is now £3,226 per applicant — one of the most expensive in the world.
- Child citizenship registration is the only category that decreased — from £1,214 to £1,000.
- All fees are per applicant. A family of 4 applying for visit visas pays £540 (4 × £135).
What This Means for UAE Residents
Every UAE resident applying for a UK visa is affected by these increases. The impact varies by visa type and nationality.
Impact by Nationality (UAE Residents)
| Nationality | Most Common UK Visa | New Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian (~38% of UAE) | Standard Visit (6 months) | £135 (~AED 640) | Most common route. VFS appointment + IHS separate. |
| Pakistani (~17% of UAE) | Standard Visit (6 months) | £135 (~AED 640) | Same visit visa route. VFS Dubai. |
| Filipino (~7% of UAE) | Standard Visit (6 months) | £135 (~AED 640) | Visit visa via VFS Dubai. |
| Bangladeshi (~7% of UAE) | Standard Visit (6 months) | £135 (~AED 640) | Visit visa via VFS Dubai. |
| Nigerian | Standard Visit (6 months) | £135 (~AED 640) | Visit visa via VFS Dubai. |
| Emirati (UAE national) | ETA (no visa needed) | £20 (~AED 95) | ETA up 25%. No visa needed for short stays. |
| Saudi / Qatari / Bahraini | ETA (no visa needed) | £20 (~AED 95) | ETA up 25%. Applied online before travel. |
Indian (~38% of UAE)
- Most Common UK Visa
- Standard Visit (6 months)
- New Fee
- £135 (~AED 640)
- Notes
- Most common route. VFS appointment + IHS separate.
Pakistani (~17% of UAE)
- Most Common UK Visa
- Standard Visit (6 months)
- New Fee
- £135 (~AED 640)
- Notes
- Same visit visa route. VFS Dubai.
Filipino (~7% of UAE)
- Most Common UK Visa
- Standard Visit (6 months)
- New Fee
- £135 (~AED 640)
- Notes
- Visit visa via VFS Dubai.
Bangladeshi (~7% of UAE)
- Most Common UK Visa
- Standard Visit (6 months)
- New Fee
- £135 (~AED 640)
- Notes
- Visit visa via VFS Dubai.
Nigerian
- Most Common UK Visa
- Standard Visit (6 months)
- New Fee
- £135 (~AED 640)
- Notes
- Visit visa via VFS Dubai.
Emirati (UAE national)
- Most Common UK Visa
- ETA (no visa needed)
- New Fee
- £20 (~AED 95)
- Notes
- ETA up 25%. No visa needed for short stays.
Saudi / Qatari / Bahraini
- Most Common UK Visa
- ETA (no visa needed)
- New Fee
- £20 (~AED 95)
- Notes
- ETA up 25%. Applied online before travel.
What You Should Do
- 1If you have a pending UK visa application submitted before 8 April 2026, you pay the old fees. No action needed.
- 2For new applications, budget for the updated fees. The 6-month visit visa is now £135 (~AED 640) per applicant.
- 3If you are applying for a long-term visit visa (2, 5, or 10 years), consider whether the higher upfront cost is worth it based on how often you visit the UK.
- 4Students starting UK courses in September 2026 should apply soon — the student visa is now £558 plus the IHS of £1,035 per year.
- 5Emirati and GCC nationals using the ETA should note the new £20 fee — still significantly cheaper than a full visa, but a 25% increase.
- 6Employers sponsoring workers from the UAE should review their recruitment budgets — Skilled Worker visas and sponsor licence fees have both increased.
- 7Contact OraVisa for a personalised cost estimate for your UK visa application.
Applying for a UK Visa from Dubai?
OraVisa handles UK visa applications for all nationalities in the UAE. We manage documentation, VFS appointments, and application review to maximise your approval chances.
Get Free QuoteOfficial Disclaimer
This update is based on the official UK Home Office fee table published on 8 April 2026 and verified against credible immigration law firm analysis. All fees listed are effective from 8 April 2026 for new applications. This analysis is provided for informational purposes to help UAE residents understand the updated costs. It does not constitute legal advice. For the latest official fee schedule, visit gov.uk.
Sources
- UK Government — Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees (8 April 2026)— Verified 2026-04-11
- Fragomen — United Kingdom: Fee Increases in April 2026— Verified 2026-04-11
- Seraphus — How much will UK immigration fees rise from April 2026?— Verified 2026-04-11
Verified Official Sources
- UK Home Office — Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees — 8 April 2026 [Visit Source](Verified: 11 Apr 2026)
- Fragomen (Immigration Law) — United Kingdom: Fee Increases in April 2026 [Visit Source](Verified: 11 Apr 2026)
- Seraphus (UK Immigration Specialists) — How much will UK immigration fees rise from April 2026? [Visit Source](Verified: 11 Apr 2026)
Related Pages
Affected Countries
Nationality Guides
Related Guides
Relevant Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the UK visit visa from Dubai now?
The standard UK visit visa (6 months) is now £135 (approximately AED 640), effective 8 April 2026. This is an increase of £8 from the previous fee of £127. The fee applies to all nationalities applying from the UAE, including Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi, and Nigerian passport holders.
Has the UK ETA fee increased?
Yes. The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee increased from £16 to £20 on 8 April 2026 — a 25% increase. The ETA is required for visa-exempt nationals including Emirati, Saudi, Qatari, and Bahraini passport holders visiting the UK for short stays.
How much does a UK student visa cost now?
The UK student visa fee is now £558 (up from £524), effective 8 April 2026. This is the visa application fee only — students must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year of study, making the total first-year cost over £1,593 before any other expenses.
How much is UK permanent residency (ILR) now?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) now costs £3,226 per applicant, up from £3,029. This is one of the most expensive settlement applications in the world. The fee applies per person — a couple applying together would pay £6,452.
Are UK visa fees refundable if my application is rejected?
No. UK visa application fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. If your application is refused, you do not receive a refund of the visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, or any premium service charges. This makes professional preparation and document review critical before submitting.
Do dependants pay the same UK visa fee?
Yes. Each dependant (spouse, partner, or child) pays the same visa application fee as the main applicant for most visa categories. A family of four applying for standard visit visas would pay £540 (4 × £135). Dependants on work visas also pay the full Skilled Worker fee per person.
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Get Free ConsultationWritten by
Sarah Khan
Content Manager & Visa Research Specialist
Content Manager creating accurate visa guides based on daily research across 100+ country policies. Former travel editor with a journalism background.
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