The UK government has announced significant increases in visa fees for travellers, which is set to take effect from April 9, 2025 going.
As a matter of fact, this price hike will impact a range of visa categories, including student visas, work permits, and visitor visas, as well as the cost for travellers from visa-exempt countries who require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
One of the most notable changes is the increase in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee, which will rise from $12 to $20 starting on April 2, 2025. This fee is required for citizens of certain countries who do not need a traditional visa to enter the UK.
For standard visitor visas, which allow travelers to stay for up to six months, the cost will increase by 10%, from £115 to £127.
Meanwhile, other visa categories will see even higher increases. For example, the two-year visa will increase from £432 to £475, the five-year visa will rise from £771 to £848, and the 10-year visa will go up from £963 to £1,059.
International students will also face higher visa costs. The fee for a standard student visa will rise from £490 to £524, while the fee for child student visa applications will remain the same. Short-term English language course visas will also see a slight increase, going up from £200 to £214.
Work visas, particularly those for healthcare and skilled workers, will see notable hikes. The Health and Care Worker Visa will increase by 28.2%, from £367 to £470. Meanwhile, the Skilled Worker Visa for those in shortage occupations will rise by 26.3%, to £470.
Additionally, premium services such as priority processing fees will largely remain unchanged, though they could be subject to future adjustments.
This increase follows a similar hike in immigration fees in October 2023 and comes alongside a rise in the financial requirements for international students from Ghana, which began in January 2025.
Ghanaian students planning to study in London must now demonstrate they have £1,483 per month in savings, an increase from the previous £1,334.
The fee hikes have stirred mixed reactions, with some concerned about the added burden on students and workers looking to move to the UK. The government has stated that the increased fees are necessary to support the running of the immigration system and ensure sustainability in the face of growing demand.