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Updated Full List Of UK Visa Fees 2024
If you intend to relocate to the UK in 2024, you should be aware of the most recent UK Visa Application Fees applicable to your category.
Individuals seeking for UK visas, including visitor visas, family, student, and work permits, are obliged to pay a fee. New UK Visa Application costs, published by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), will go into effect from April 10, 2024, with each having its own conditions and duration.
This piece will provide an overview of the most frequent forms of UK visas, including as visitor, student, family, work, and others. We will eventually look into the cost of each of the visa kinds listed and their accompanying services.
What is a UK Visa?
If you are a foreigner, that is, a non-UK citizen or permanent resident, you will require a legal document allowing you to stay in the United Kingdom if you have a purpose to visit. A visa is a legal document.
Visas allow foreigners to study, work, and live in the United Kingdom either temporarily or permanently. Visas might be in the form of a stamped endorsement in your passport or a document provided by the UK embassy or consulate in your native country.
Why do I need a UK Visa?
People from all walks of life seek UK visas for various reasons, including:
- Employment or Business Opportunities: Individuals seeking to explore professional endeavors or establish businesses in the UK.
- Education or Training Purposes: Students and professionals looking to enhance their skills and knowledge through academic or vocational programs.
- Short-Term Visits: Tourists and travelers seeking to experience the rich culture and heritage of the UK, or for other short-term reasons.
- Family Reunification: Reuniting with family members who are already residing in the UK, fostering bonds and connections.
- Transit: Passing through the UK en route to another destination, making the most of convenient transit facilities.
- Permanent Settlement: Individuals aspiring to make the UK their permanent home, contributing to the diverse tapestry of British society.
- Seeking Refuge or Humanitarian Protection: Those fleeing persecution or conflict, seeking safety and security in the UK.
- Statelessness: Individuals lacking citizenship or nationality, seeking recognition and rights in the UK.
- Permission to Remain: Individuals requiring authorization to stay in the UK for various reasons, such as work, family, or legal considerations.
What are the Types of UK Visa 2024?
If you are in the process of making a trip to the United Kingdom from outside the country, it is important you familiarize yourself with the type of visa applicable to you.
The type of visa you would apply for depends on your condition or reason for making the trip – you be visiting for leisure, studying, joining family, or working. The types of UK Visas Applicable are itemized below;
Standard Visitor Visa:
Visitor and Tourist Visas are short-term visas (usually no more than 6 months) that allow visitors to come to the UK for short stays, tourism, healthcare, and other similar purposes.
This visa does not allow you to work in the UK. You must demonstrate that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, as well as that you are financially capable of supporting yourself and any dependents throughout your stay.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study may need to apply for this type of visa. There are different Student Visas depending on whether the student is a child, adult or individual who is coming for a short period only.
When applying for a student visa, you need to ensure to make your eligibility as clear as you can, making it an easier decision for the Home Office to grant your application.
Family Visa:
The family visa will allow applicants to join family members in the UK as their dependents. A Family Visa can be relevant for a spouse (or civil partner, fiancé), a parent, a grandparent, a child, or other relatives.
The UK government also provides entrance visas to professionals who want to work while residing in the UK. The Skilled Worker Visa enables employers to sponsor the visas of highly qualified experts on short or long-term contracts.
Refugee Visa:
The Temporary Refugee Visa is for those who are intending to enter the UK who have been forced to flee their home country due to serious threats to their lives. This visa application is made from within the United Kingdom.
The visa is only valid until the visa holder is no longer in danger and is able to return home. Visa for Stateless Persons is for foreigners living in the United Kingdom who do not have nationality in any other country. This visa is valid for 2 to 6 years, with the potential of renewal.
Others include;
- Settlement Visas.
- Transit Visas.
- Partner Visas
- Tourist Visas
How To Apply for UK Visa 2024
Let’s help you understand the UK visa application process and procedures you need to go through to obtain a visa to the United Kingdom.
Find out if you need a UK visa
You may be exempted from applying for a UK Visa if you are a citizen of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the Commonwealth.
Choose the right UK visa type
Your purpose of traveling to the UK will determine the type of visa you should apply for. This will also enable you to know the requirements and documents you will be asked to provide
Complete the online application form
Once you know the type of visa you will be applying for, you can proceed to the UKVI’s website to download the visa application form online
Collect the required documents for a UK visa application
After filling out the application form, you are required to attach some supporting documents. These documents are to be submitted alongside the form online in clear PDF or JPEG format.
Schedule a UK visa appointment
Scheduling the UK Visa appointment requires you to make payment. Your type of visa also determines what amount you will be paying. Fastracking your visa appointment also attracts additional costs.
Attend the UK visa interview
Your date and time of the interview will be communicated. Ensure to choose a location close to you to get to the venue in time. You should also go along with original and duplicate copies of all the documents you uploaded.
How Long Does UK Visa Take?
The application and approval of the UK Visa generally takes 3 weeks. This is also dependent on the type of visa you are applying for.
When Should You Apply for a UK Visa?
It is recommended that you apply for a UK visa four to five weeks before your journey to the United Kingdom. This will give you enough time to have the consulate review and approve your application.
Documents Required for UK Visa Application
You should submit the following documents to apply for a UK visa:
- UK visa application form.
- Two photographs.
- Your Valid Passport. It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip.
- Proof you have the financial means to cover the living costs while in the UK.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Detailed travel itinerary. Submit a travel plan that gives all the information regarding how and what you are planning to do in the UK.
- Tuberculosis Test Results.
- Biometric information.
- UK visa invitation letter.
- UK cover letter.
- Paid UK visa fees.
- Certified translations of any document that is not in either English or Welsh.
Other documents include;
- Employment/Business/University Letter
- Birth Certificate (If less than 18)
How much is UK Visa Application Fee 2024?
The cost of a UK Visa Application Fee depends on the type of visa an applicant is applying for.
The UK Visa Application Fees for most, but not all, UK visas were increased by 15% on 4 October 2023. Other restrictions were also announced especially for students bringing in their dependents to the UK.
Further increments (about 35%) were introduced on 10 April 2024 to both applications for entry clearance submitted from outside the UK and applications for leave to remain submitted from within the UK.
Here is a summary of the current UK Application Fees for 2024;
- Visit visa (6 months) – up by 15% from £100 to £115
- Skilled Worker visa – up by 15% from £625 to £719
- Innovator Founder visa – up by 15% from £1,036 to £1,191
- High Potential Individual visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- UK Expansion Worker visa – up by 15% from £259 to £298
- Global Talent visa – up by 15% from £623 to £716
- Scale-up visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- Student visa – up by 35% from £363 to £490
- Graduate visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- Spouse visa – up by 20% from £1,538 to £1,846
- Indefinite leave to remain – up by 20% from £2,404 to £2,885
- Naturalisation as a British citizen – up by 20% from £1,250 to £1,500.
Full list of all latest UK Visa Application Fees can be found on the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website