New Delhi: The United Kingdom has announced that it will raise immigration and visa fees across categories by 6 to 25 per cent from April 8, 2026. It will increase the costs for visitors, students, workers and those seeking settlement in the UK, with Indians most hit.

According to the UK Home Office, most application charges will rise by around 6 to 7 per cent, covering visit, study, work and citizenship routes. The highest increase will be in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee, which will go up by 25 per cent from £16 to £20.

Short-term visit visa fees for six months will increase from £127 to £135, while Student and Child Student visa fees will rise from £524 to £558.

Work visa charges also being revised

Work visa charges are also being revised. For overseas applicants, the Skilled Worker visa fee for up to three years will increase from £769 to £819, and for more than three years from £1,519 to £1,618. For those already in the UK, fees will rise from £885 to £943 for up to three years and from £1,751 to £1,865 for longer durations.

The Health and Care visa will also become costlier, with fees rising from £304 to £324 for up to three years and from £590 to £628 for longer stays. Temporary work visas, including the India Young Professionals Scheme, will increase from £319 to £340.

Settlement and citizenship costs are also set to rise. The fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain will go up from £3,029 to £3,226, while naturalisation as a British citizen will increase from £1,605 to £1,709. However, the fee for child citizenship registration will be reduced from £1,214 to £1,000.

Sponsor licence fees to increase too

Sponsor licence fees for large organisations will also increase, rising from £1,579 to £1,682 and for small sponsors from £574 to £611.

While the Home Office termed these increases are linked to inflation, the revised fee schedule means higher upfront costs for people, from tourists and students to workers and families applying for settlement or citizenship.

It is particularly disadvantaged for Indians as almost every form of visa to enter UK saw an uptick.