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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.
themomentng 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
