The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced an increase in fees for a wide range of visas, residency applications and citizenship processes, with the new rates set to take effect from April 8, 2026.
News360 Info reports that the hike will affect Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit, study, work or settle in the UK, raising the cost of migration amid already high demand.
According to the revised fee schedule released by the UK Home Office, the increases cut across nearly all visa categories, both for applications made within and outside the UK.
The affected categories include visit visas, student visas, work permits, settlement applications and naturalisation processes.
The changes are expected to take effect in less than two weeks.
The development is expected to significantly impact Nigerians, who rank among the highest number of visa applicants to the UK annually.
Thousands of Nigerians apply each year for study, work and visitor visas, making the country a major destination for migration.
Breakdown Of New UK Visa Fees
Under the new structure, the cost of a short-term visit visa will rise from £127 to £135.
Student visa applicants will now pay £558, up from £524.
Those seeking permanent residency will pay £3,226, compared to the previous £3,029, while applicants for British citizenship through naturalisation will pay £1,709, up from £1,605.
In contrast to the general upward review, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been reduced.
The cost drops from £1,214 to £1,000, a £214 reduction, making it the only major category to record a decrease.
Despite the widespread increases, a few visa categories remain unchanged.
These include the Tier 1 (Investor) visa, which costs £2,000, and the High Potential Individual visa, which costs £880.
The latest increase is expected to further raise the financial barrier for Nigerians planning to relocate, study or do business in the UK.
With costs rising across multiple application stages, prospective migrants may need to reassess their plans or make additional financial preparations ahead of the new regime.
Below is the full list of UK visa and immigration fees relevant to Nigerians:
Visit Visas
Short-term (up to 6 months): Old: £127, New: £135
Long-term (up to 2 years): Old: £475, New: £506
Long-term (up to 5 years): Old: £848, New: £903
Long-term (up to 10 years): Old: £1,059, New: £1,128
Visiting academic (more than 6 months, up to 12 months): Old: £220, New: £234
Private medical treatment (more than 6 months, up to 11 months): Old: £220, New: £234
Direct airside transit visa: Old: £39, New: £41.50
Landside transit visit visa: Old: £70, New: £74.50
Student Visa
Student (main applicant and dependants): Old: £524, New: £558
Child Student: Old: £524, New: £558
Short-term student (English language, over 6 months up to 11 months): Old: £214, New: £228
Work Visa
Skilled Worker – up to 3 years: Old: £769, New: £819
Skilled Worker – over 3 years: Old: £1,519, New: £1,618
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – up to 3 years: Old: £590, New: £628
Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – over 3 years: Old: £1,160, New: £1,235
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – up to 3 years: Old: £304, New: £324
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – over 3 years: Old: £590, New: £628
Innovator Founder: Old: £1,274, New: £1,357
Start-up: Old: £465, New: £495
Scale-up: Old: £880, New: £937
High Potential Individual: Old: £880, New: £880 (unchanged)
Graduate Route: Old: £880, New: £937
T2 Minister of Religion: Old: £769, New: £819
International Sportsperson – up to 12 months: Old: £319, New: £340
International Sportsperson – over 12 months: Old: £769, New: £819
Temporary Work (Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange, Youth Mobility Scheme, India Young Professionals Scheme): Old: £319, New: £340
Representative of an overseas business: Old: £769, New: £819
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (up to 3 years): Old: £769, New: £819
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (over 3 years): Old: £1,519, New: £1,618
Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee: Old: £319, New: £340
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier: Old: £319, New: £340
Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker: Old: £319, New: £340
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker: Old: £319, New: £340
Settlement And Indefinite Leave
Route to Settlement: Old: £1,938, New: £2,064
Route to Settlement – other dependant relative: Old: £3,413, New: £3,635
Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative: Old: £424, New: £452
Indefinite leave to remain: Old: £3,029, New: £3,226
Visitor Extension (in-country): Old: £1,100, New: £1,172
Leave to remain – Other: Old: £1,321, New: £1,407
Travel Documents
Certificate of travel (adult): Old: £300, New: £320
Certificate of travel (child): Old: £151, New: £161
Convention travel document (adult): Old: £94.50, New: £102
Convention travel document (child): Old: £61.50, New: £66.50
Nationality And Citizenship
Naturalisation (British citizenship): Old: £1,605, New: £1,709
Registration as a British citizen – adult: Old: £1,446, New: £1,540
Registration as a British citizen – child: Old: £1,214, New: £1,000 (reduced)
Renunciation of nationality: Old: £482, New: £513
Nationality review: Old: £482, New: £513
Status Letter (Nationality): Old: £459, New: £489
Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality): Old: £459, New: £489
