UK Visa Fee Hike April 2026: Full Breakdown of New Costs for Indians (With ₹ Amounts)
If you are an Indian planning to work, study, settle, or visit the UK — your visa just got more expensive.
From 8 April 2026, the UK Home Office officially increased immigration and nationality fees across nearly every visa route. The hike ranges from 6% on most work and study routes to a sharp 25% jump on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). For Indians — one of the top 3 nationalities applying for UK visas globally — these numbers matter.
This blog gives you the exact new fees in both pounds and rupees, real cost scenarios for Indian applicants, and a clear action plan for what to do right now.
6–25%
Fee increase range
£819
New Skilled Worker visa (3 yrs)
£558
New Student visa fee
£3,226
New ILR fee per person
Why Did UK Visa Fees Go Up in April 2026?
The UK Home Office published its revised immigration and nationality fee schedule on 18 March 2026, with all new rates taking effect from 8 April 2026.
The official reason: inflation and the rising cost of running the immigration system. The UK government is accelerating its shift to a "user-pays" model — where applicants and employers bear more of the cost, rather than taxpayers. According to immigration firm Fragomen, most fees are rising 6–7%, making April 2026 one of the most widespread UK visa fee hikes in recent years.
This is not a one-off. UK visa fees have risen almost every year:
2023: Student visa at £490, Skilled Worker entry clearance at £625
April 2025: Standard visitor visa rose to £127
April 2026: Another round — across every major route simultaneously
Key fact: Applications submitted before 8 April 2026 are charged at old rates — even if the decision comes after. Applications submitted on or after 8 April pay the new rates. No exceptions.
Complete UK Visa Fee Table: Old vs New (Effective 8 April 2026)
All figures are per applicant. Approximate exchange rate: £1 = ₹107 (March 2026 market rate). The Home Office sets its own quarterly conversion rate which may vary slightly.
Work Visas
Visa Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Skilled Worker — outside UK, up to 3 years | £769 | £819 | ₹87,633 | +£50 |
Skilled Worker — outside UK, more than 3 years | £1,519 | £1,618 | ₹1,73,126 | +£99 |
Skilled Worker — in-country extension, up to 3 years | £885 | £943 | ₹1,00,901 | +£58 |
Skilled Worker — in-country extension, more than 3 years | £1,751 | £1,865 | ₹1,99,555 | +£114 |
Health and Care Worker Visa — up to 3 years | £304 | £324 | ₹34,668 | +£20 |
Health and Care Worker Visa — more than 3 years | £590 | £628 | ₹67,196 | +£38 |
Graduate Route (post-study work visa) | £880 | £937 | ₹1,00,259 | +£57 |
Scale-Up Visa | £880 | £937 | ₹1,00,259 | +£57 |
Student Visas
Visa Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Student Visa (applying outside UK) | £524 | £558 | ₹59,706 | +£34 |
Child Student Visa | £524 | £558 | ₹59,706 | +£34 |
Important for students: The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for students remains at £776 per year (≈ ₹83,032). It has NOT increased in this round. Many websites are confusing the two — only the base visa application fee has gone up.
Visit Visas
Visa Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard Visitor Visa — up to 6 months | £127 | £135 | ₹14,445 | +£8 |
2-Year Multiple Entry Visitor Visa | — | £506 | ₹54,142 | Updated |
5-Year Multiple Entry Visitor Visa | — | £903 | ₹96,621 | Updated |
10-Year Multiple Entry Visitor Visa | — | £1,128 | ₹1,20,696 | Updated |
Airside Transit Visa | — | £41.50 | ₹4,441 | Updated |
Landside Transit Visa | — | £74.50 | ₹7,972 | Updated |
Settlement and ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Visa Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — Main Applicant | £3,029 | £3,226 | ₹3,45,182 | +£197 |
Settlement — other routes | £1,938 | £2,064 | ₹2,20,848 | +£126 |
Dependent Relative Settlement | — | £3,635 | ₹3,88,945 | Updated |
British Citizenship Fees
Fee Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Naturalisation as British Citizen | £1,605 | £1,709 | ₹1,82,863 | +£104 |
Adult Registration as British Citizen | — | £1,540 | ₹1,64,780 | Updated |
Child Registration as British Citizen ✅ | £1,214 | £1,000 | ₹1,07,000 | −£214 (REDUCED) |
Sponsor Licence Fees (For UK Employers Hiring Indians)
Fee Type | Old Fee (£) | New Fee (£) | New Fee (₹ approx) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Small / Charitable Sponsor Licence | £574 | £611 | ₹65,377 | +£37 |
Medium / Large Sponsor Licence | £1,579 | £1,682 | ₹1,79,974 | +£103 |
Certificate of Sponsorship — Skilled Worker | £525 | £525 | ₹56,175 | No change |
Immigration Skills Charge — Large employer/year | £1,320 | £1,320 | ₹1,41,240 | No change |
What Does This Actually Cost an Indian? 4 Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Indian IT Professional — Skilled Worker Visa (3 Years, From India)
Visa application fee: £819 (≈ ₹87,633)
Immigration Health Surcharge for 3 years: £3,105 (≈ ₹3,32,235)
VFS biometric appointment + service fee: approx ₹5,000–8,000
Total upfront cost: approximately £3,924 (≈ ₹4.2 lakh)
This is before flights, accommodation deposit, or IELTS costs.
Scenario 2: Indian Family of 3 — Skilled Worker Visa (Main Applicant + Partner + Child, 3 Years)
Main applicant visa fee: £819
Partner visa fee: £819
Child visa fee: £819
Total visa fees alone: £2,457 (≈ ₹2,62,899)
IHS for all 3 people (3 years each): approximately £9,315
Grand total: over £11,700 (≈ ₹12.5 lakh) — visa fees and healthcare surcharge combined
Scenario 3: Indian Student — 1-Year Master's Programme
Student visa fee: £558 (≈ ₹59,706)
IHS for 1 year: £776 (≈ ₹83,032)
IELTS test fee: ₹17,000
TB test: ₹3,000
Total visa preparation cost: approximately ₹1.6–1.7 lakh (before tuition)
For a 2-year Master's: total rises to ₹2.8–3.0 lakh
Scenario 4: Indian Couple Applying for ILR Together
ILR fee per person: £3,226 (≈ ₹3,45,182)
For two people: £6,452 (≈ ₹6.9 lakh)
This is the single largest cost in the entire UK immigration journey — and it increased by £197 per person in this round alone.
What Is NOT Changing — Important Clarifications
Many websites are causing confusion. Here is what has NOT changed from 8 April 2026:
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Still £1,035/year for adults and £776/year for students — NOT part of this hike
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee: Unchanged at £525 for Skilled Worker roles
Administrative Review fee: Unchanged at £80
Health and Care Worker discount: Still applies — Indian nurses and doctors pay only £324 vs £819 for standard Skilled Worker
Priority processing fee for sponsor licence: Unchanged at £750
The Hidden Cost Stack — What Most Indians Are Not Budgeting For
The headline visa fee is only the starting point. Here is the full cost stack most Indian applicants underestimate:
Visa application fee — new rates from 8 April 2026
Immigration Health Surcharge — paid upfront for the entire visa duration
VFS Global biometric appointment fee — varies by city and service type
Priority visa service — optional but adds £500–£1,000 for faster processing
Immigration Skills Charge — paid by your employer, directly affects whether they sponsor you
IELTS or PTE test fees — now ₹17,000–₹19,000 in India (IELTS fee rising to ₹19,000 from April 2026)
TB test fee: ₹2,500–₹3,500
Document translation and attestation costs
Real number: For a Skilled Worker visa applicant from India, the true all-in cost regularly exceeds ₹5–6 lakh before you board the plane. For a family of 3, budget ₹12–15 lakh for immigration costs alone.
4 Legitimate Ways to Reduce Your UK Visa Cost
1. Apply Under the Health and Care Worker Visa (If You Qualify)
Indian nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals working in eligible NHS or social care roles in the UK qualify for the Health and Care Visa at just £324 for up to 3 years — less than half the standard Skilled Worker fee of £819. This saves you £495 per application. Always confirm with your employer that you are being sponsored under the correct route before paying.
2. Apply for ILR Before the Earned Settlement Rules Change
The UK government is proposing to extend the ILR qualifying period from 5 years to 10 years for most work routes. Implementation is expected from Autumn 2026. If you are approaching 5 years on a Skilled Worker or similar visa, speak to an immigration lawyer immediately. Applying under current rules could save you 5 additional years of visa fees, IHS payments, and waiting — worth over £10,000 for most applicants.
3. Ask Your Employer to Cover Visa Costs
Many UK NHS trusts and large companies legally pay visa application fees and IHS costs for sponsored workers. It is entirely legal and increasingly standard practice. Always ask your employer before assuming you must fund it yourself. This is especially common for Indian nurses and IT professionals being sponsored from India.
4. Use the Long-Term Multiple Entry Visitor Visa
If your parents or family visit the UK regularly, a 10-year multiple entry visitor visa at £1,128 works out far cheaper than applying for a fresh 6-month visa (£135) each time they want to visit. One application costs less than 9 individual 6-month applications. It is especially useful if they visit once or twice a year.
Key Facts at a Glance
What | Detail |
|---|---|
Fee schedule published | 18 March 2026 — UK Home Office |
New fees effective from | 8 April 2026 — Already live |
Overall increase range | 6% to 25% depending on route |
Steepest percentage increase | ETA fee — up 25% from £16 to £20 |
Biggest absolute increase | ILR — up £197 per person to £3,226 |
Only fee that went DOWN | Child citizenship registration — reduced £214 to £1,000 |
IHS (adults) | Unchanged at £1,035/year |
IHS (students) | Unchanged at £776/year |
Applications before 8 April 2026 | Charged at old (lower) rates |
Applications from 8 April 2026 | New rates apply — no exceptions |
Is the UK Still Worth It for Indians in 2026?
Yes — but the bar is higher than ever.
The UK remains one of the top 3 destinations for Indian professionals and students worldwide. Over 250,000 Indians currently live and work in the UK. The NHS is one of the largest employers of Indian doctors and nurses in the world. UK universities continue to rank among the best globally, with 4 universities in the global top 10.
The fee hikes are real and they add up — especially for families. But they are a one-time cost compared to the long-term value of a UK career, permanent residency, and eventually British citizenship.
The key is planning your budget accurately, applying under the right route, and making zero errors in your application. One avoidable mistake — wrong salary evidence, incorrect 28-day bank balance period, missing sponsor letter — costs you the entire fee and you pay again at the new higher rate.
Need Help Navigating the UK Visa Process?
IndiaWale Abroad connects you with verified UK immigration consultants, Indians already living and working in the UK, and a growing community of expats who have made the same journey. Get guidance before you apply — not after a rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) also increase in April 2026?
No. The IHS remains at £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for students. Only the base visa application fees have increased. Many websites are confusing the two — double-check before budgeting.
I submitted my application before 8 April 2026. Which fee do I pay?
You pay the fee in effect on the date you submitted your application. Applications submitted before 8 April 2026 are charged at old rates, even if the decision comes after the increase.
I am an Indian nurse moving to the UK. Which visa is cheaper for me?
The Health and Care Worker Visa — at £324 for up to 3 years — is less than half the cost of the standard Skilled Worker visa at £819. This saves you £495. Confirm with your UK employer that they are sponsoring you under the correct route before you apply.
My parents want to visit me in the UK. How much is their visa now?
The standard 6-month visit visa is now £135 per person (≈ ₹14,445). For two people that is £270. If they visit every year, the 2-year multiple entry visa at £506 or the 5-year at £903 works out significantly cheaper over time.
Does this affect visa applications through VFS Global offices in India?
Yes. All UK visa applications submitted through VFS Global offices in India on or after 8 April 2026 are charged at the new rates. The submission date at VFS is what determines which fee you pay.
I am already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. Will my extension cost more?
Yes. In-country Skilled Worker extensions from 8 April 2026 cost £943 (up to 3 years) or £1,865 (over 3 years) — up from £885 and £1,751 respectively. If your extension is due soon, check if applying immediately saves you money.
Is the Graduate (post-study work) visa also affected?
Yes. The Graduate Route visa fee increased from £880 to £937. If you are finishing a degree in the UK and planning to apply for the Graduate visa, budget £937 plus the IHS for your chosen stay duration.
How much does a UK Skilled Worker visa cost in Indian rupees in 2026?
At an approximate exchange rate of £1 = ₹107, the Skilled Worker visa for up to 3 years costs approximately ₹87,633. For over 3 years, it is approximately ₹1,73,126. Add IHS (₹1,11,045/year for adults) on top of this for the total upfront payment.
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