UK Visa Fees to Increase From April 2026: ETA, Visit, Work and Student Costs Updated

If you’re planning a trip or move to the United Kingdom, here’s something worth noting. The government is increasing several visa and travel authorisation fees from April 8, 2026.

Some of the changes are small. Others add up quickly, especially for long-term stays.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

ETA Fee Rising to £20

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is now required for most visa-free travellers. This includes people from Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

• When the UK ETA first launched in 2023, it cost £10.
• Today it’s £16.
• From April 8, 2026, it will go up again to £20.

That means the price will have doubled in just over two years.

The ETA is valid for two years, so if you already know you’ll travel to the UK, applying now could save you a bit of money.

Short-Term UK Visit Visas Getting More Expensive

In addition to the ETA, the visa fees for the short-term visitor visas are also becoming slightly more expensive across the board. Here’s what’s changing:

• 6-month visa: £127 → £135
• 2-year visa: £475 → £506
• 5-year visa: £848 → £903
• 10-year visa: £1,059 → £1,128

The increases are not huge, but they apply to everyone visiting for tourism, business, or family trips.

Work and Student Visas Also Affected

If you’re planning to work or study in the UK, expect higher fees here too.

Skilled Worker Visa

• Up to 3 years: £769 → £819
• More than 3 years: £1,519 → £1,618

Student Visa

These changes apply whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

Settlement Applications See Bigger Jump

For those planning to stay long-term or settle in the UK, the increase is more noticeable.

• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): £1,938 → £2,064

This is one of the larger hikes in the latest update.

Citizenship Fees Go Up, But One Fee Drops

The changes also cover British citizenship applications.

• Naturalisation: £1,605 → £1,709
• Adult registration: £1,540

There is one bit of good news.

• Child registration: £1,214 → £1,000

So families applying for children will actually pay less.

What This Means for Travellers

Here’s the key takeaway.

• All new fees start April 8, 2026
• Applications submitted before that date will still be charged at current rates

If you’re planning to visit, study, or move to the UK soon, applying early could save you money. It’s not a dramatic change in one go, but across multiple fees, the costs are clearly moving upward.