The United Kingdom has announced an increase in visa fees across multiple categories, with changes set to take effect from April 8 as part of broader efforts to manage migration.
In a statement, the UK Home Office said the revised fee structure would affect visitors, students, workers and individuals applying for permanent residency.
The announcement also includes new immigration controls, among them an “emergency brake” on student visa applications from select countries experiencing rising asylum claims.
The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said the measures followed an increase in asylum applications from countries such as Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.
Visa Fees Adjusted Upward
Under the new structure, short-term visit visas valid for up to six months will rise from £127 to £135.
Longer-duration visit visas will also see significant increases, with two-year visas set at £506, five-year visas at £903 and ten-year visas at £1,128.
Applications for British citizenship will increase from £1,605 to £1,709, while settlement visa fees will rise from £1,938 to £2,064.
Family-related applications are also affected, with fees for applicants requiring care from relatives in the UK increasing by £222 to £3,635.
Similarly, settlement visa fees for refugee-dependent relatives will rise to £452.
For skilled workers applying from outside the UK, fees for visas valid up to three years will increase from £769 to £819, with corresponding adjustments for longer-term permits and dependants.
Stricter Immigration Measures
In addition to the fee adjustments, the government said it would introduce stricter measures to discourage illegal migration.
These include financial incentives of up to £10,000 for failed asylum seekers who voluntarily leave the country.
Authorities also warned that migrants found working illegally would lose access to government-funded accommodation.
Analysts say the latest measures reflect the UK government’s continued efforts to balance immigration control with economic needs, particularly amid rising global migration pressures.
