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U.S. Travelers Will Soon Have to Pay to Enter the U.K.

By Sarah James

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U.S. visitors—as well as visitors from Europe , Australia and Canada —will soon be required to apply for permission to enter the U.K. through a new scheme known as Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The U.K. government is in the process of fully digitizing U.K. borders by the end of 2025—and the ETA scheme will play its part, allowing “individuals, and carriers, with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the U.K.,” the government said.

The scheme will be in place by the end of this year (2023), and visitors will be required to fill out an online application granting them permission to travel. There will be a small fee included in the application—similar to how the U.S.'s own ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system works for U.K. travelers.

Here's everything we know.

Will I need a visa to enter the U.K.?

This isn't technically a visa—the ETA system will grant travelers permission to enter the country. You will need to apply for an ETA prior to arrival. If you haven't received permission to travel before arrival, you may get fined.

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Travelers from the U.S. will soon need to apply for permission to enter the U.K.

How long will it take to get an ETA?

Travelers will be advised to apply for an ETA at least a few days before their journey. Approval should be granted within 72 hours of application.

How long will an ETA last?

After your ETA has been approved, visitors will be granted permission to stay in the U.K. for six months, whether for business or tourism reasons.

The U.K. government is yet to confirm how often visitors will need to apply for a new ETA, but it's likely to be valid for two years—meaning there's no need to apply for a new one every time you visit within the valid time period.

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Visitors with valid ETAs can stay—and travel—in U.K. for up to six months.

How much will an ETA cost?

We don't know yet—but the government has said that the cost will be small. The EU implemented a similar system in 2022, which costs €7. A U.S. ESTA, meanwhile, costs $21.

Who will need to apply for an ETA?

The full list of nations included hasn't been announced yet. We do know that U.S. citizens who don't hold a visa will need to apply for an ETA, as will other visa-exempt nations such as Canada and Australia. European countries are likely to be included, too.  Those traveling from nationalities without a visa-free agreement with the UK will still need to apply for another applicable type of UK visa.

What will I need to apply for an ETA?

You'll need a valid passport , an email address to register with, and to supply the details of your travel, as well as a valid debit or credit card to pay any fees to apply.

To keep up to date with the latest information on the ETA scheme, check the official website for more details as they become available.

This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller U.K.  

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Visiting the UK Will Soon Require an Online Application With a Fee — What to Know

The UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation will be fully rolled out by the end of 2023.

uk visit visa fee 2023

Travelers to the United Kingdom will soon have to apply in advance and pay to enter the country when the Electronic Travel Authorisation visa waiver goes into effect later this year.

The UK’s ETA system, which will be fully rolled out by the end of 2023, will require all non-visa foreign visitors (including those from the United States) to apply online in advance of coming, according to the government’s ETA website . 

The rollout of the ETA is part of the UK’s effort to fully digitize its borders by 2025.

“Our number one priority is the security of the UK border and by launching ETAs we can ensure that everyone wishing to travel to the UK has permission to do so in advance of travel and refuse those who pose a threat,” the UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel said in a statement .

To apply, travelers will need to provide personal details, passport information, and security information. Applications will then be processed automatically and travelers should expect a response typically within 48 to 72 hours.

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The cost for the application was not immediately clear and was expected to be announced at a later date.

The ETA will first be rolled out to several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates , Qatar , Bahrain, and more.

The rollout of the ETA comes as Europe plans to implement its new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (or ETIAS) in November. That authorization will include a €7 fee and apply to foreign visitors 18 to 70 years old.

In the U.S., visitors must also apply for a similar authorization before coming: the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (or ESTA), which is available to travelers from countries granted a Visa Waiver Program. Last year, the fee for ESTA increased from $14 to $21, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection .

UK visa prices are increasing for visitors and students: Here’s what you need to know

A sign is seen at the arrivals passport control area of Terminal 5, at Heathrow Airport, London, Britain, March 23, 2023.

The UK government has said how the profits will be spent.

If you are looking to apply for a UK visa in the near future, it could cost more than you might be expecting.

The country is hiking fees for most visas - including those for students and tourists - from 4 October, following an announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in July this year. It applies to travellers from around the world who require a visa to enter or stay in the UK.

The move comes ahead of the launch of the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation visa scheme.

What is the price increase for UK visas?

It means that the cost of a visit visa for less than six months, for example, will increase by £15 (€18) to £115 (€133). Fees for two, five and 10-year visit visas will also go up.

Applying for a student visa from outside the UK is also set to get significantly more expensive. Those studying in the country will be required to fork out £490 (€569), bringing the cost in line with the amount charged for in-country applications.

Transit visas, which allow you to enter the country temporarily to change flights or catch a different form of transport to your final destination, are not expected to get more expensive.

A full list of the new fees for UK visas and immigration services can be found here . The charges are due to be introduced from 4 October, subject to parliamentary approval.

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Why is the cost of UK visas increasing?

In July, the British Prime Minister announced that visa costs would increase to meet the country’s public sector wage increase.

“All of those fees are going to go up and that will raise over £1 billion, so across the board visa application fees are going to go up significantly,” he said.

The Health Immigration Health Surcharge - a fee paid towards the UK’s state-funded National Health Service - is also expected to increase. But, the Home Office says, this change is not being introduced until later in the Autumn.

The UK Home Office says that there will be a 15 per cent increase in the cost of a majority of work and visit visas. Priority visas, study visas and certificates of sponsorship are due to rise by at least 20 per cent.

It applies across most kinds of visa including applications to register and naturalise as a British citizen.

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UK announces big increases to visa fees

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24 July 2023

The UK government has announced that application costs for UK visas will increase across the board, which will affect employers and visa applicants and their families. The purpose of the significant rise in application costs is to partly fund public sector pay awards, as the government tries to settle protracted disputes with trade unions over salary and employment terms. The government wants to raise more than £1 billion through increases to visa application fees.

What is changing? 

We expect that exact details will be laid out in regulations in due course, but the headline changes are:

  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to increase from £624 to £1,035 for each year of the visa for adults, and £776 per year for students and under 18s.
  • Fees for visit and work visa application fees to rise by 15%.
  • Fees for student visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement, citizenship, and all other visa applications to increase by at least 20%.

The cost of priority services will be made the same whether applicants apply inside or outside the UK.

The announcement did not cover the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). The ISC amounts to a sponsor tax payable when employers assign a certificate of sponsorship (COS) and must be paid by sponsors rather than applicants. 

IHS rises 

Although IHS rates have been frozen for the last three years, the big rise in IHS fees will have the greatest impact on overall cost of visa applications, especially for families. Payment of the IHS is a mandatory charge that ensures that applicants have access to free healthcare in the UK through the NHS. It is still payable even if the individual never uses the NHS and even if they have their own private medical insurance cover. Even though it is calculated for each year of the visa, the whole amount is payable upfront as a lump sum at the same time as other visa fees, which makes it difficult for individuals to pay if their employer is not picking up the cost. The government announcement stated that the increase to IHS "will help to fund the pay rise for doctors".

Are there any exemptions to IHS?

Not everyone has to pay the IHS. Anyone applying for a work visa of more than six months must pay it, but several different types of applicants are exempt, including:

  • an applicant outside the UK for a visa for six months or less (for example a temporary sponsored work assignment)
  • an applicant for a visitor visa
  • an applicant for settlement or British citizenship

an applicant to the EU Settlement Scheme for pre-settled status or settled status.

* Estimated new fee. Exact number is TBC

When will the increases take effect?

There has been no announcement on timing, but the government will want to start pulling in the higher fees quickly. It remains to be seen, but it is a reasonable assumption that Parliament will review the required regulations to implement the increases after its summer recess, with fee increases taking effect in late summer or autumn 2023.

What can employers do now?

In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, these fee rises will cause a real challenge for individuals and businesses, especially for start-ups and SMEs. What factors should employers be considering now? 

  • Encourage anyone planning to apply for a UK visa in the coming months to see if they can accelerate their application to try to take advantage of the existing lower fees before the changes take effect. For example, a worker applying for a 5-year visa will save just over £2,000 in IHS alone if they are able to apply before the increase takes effect.
  • Factor in higher costs to recruitment budgets as an increased business cost of hiring the best talent.
  • Have a consistent approach on what visa costs the business will cover on behalf of workers. For example, some employers will agree to meet all related visa costs for their employee or candidate but not for accompanying family members. Others will only agree to meet some of the costs for their worker or new hire, but bear in mind that in sponsored cases, it is unlawful to require the applicant to pay for the Immigration Skills Charge, as that is a tax on sponsors.
  • If you don’t already, consider the use of clawback agreements, which require the worker to repay a portion of the visa costs if they leave employment within a set period after visa approval. This agreement should be properly drafted by a lawyer, as only agreements that are "reasonable" – and that are not a penalty - will be enforceable. Reasonableness may depend on the salary package of the employee to determine whether the repayable sums are reasonable and lawful and will usually mean that the amount repayable to be repaid should decrease over time. 

Even if your business does not support employees with any visa costs, workers may start to turn to employers to see what extra support they can offer to ease personal cash flow pressures at the point of visa application. That could be through salary advances or employee loans, although tax advice should always be sought. If this isn't possible and workers are unable to pay the fees, there may then be resulting right to work and employment termination considerations.

If you would like to explore any of this further, please do get in touch with us.

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UK Visa Fees to Rise from October 2023

The Home Office has announced a raise in fees for certain UK visa and nationality applications to come into effect from October 2023.

For urgent help and assistance with your visa or immigration application, including fast-track application packages and consultations, contact us on 0333 305 9375 or reach out to us online  today.

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Application fees to increase.

The Home Office has announced an increase in fees for numerous UK visa and nationality applications.

These include common categories such as visitor visas, work visas and indefinite leave to remain.

If approved in parliament, the new fees will come into effect from 4 October 2023.

In the announcement detailing the chances, the Home Office has stated the following:

“Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. Careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.”

Some of the most pertinent fee increases for the most popular application categories have been listed below. The full list of visa fee increases can be found on the Home Office website.

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Work Visa Applications Made Outside of the UK

Work visa applications made inside of the uk, nationality, study visa applications made outside of the uk, other applications made outside of the uk, other applications made inside the uk, how can ias help.

If you require urgent or priority assistance with your UK visa or nationality application, including if you wish to submit an application before the new fees come into effect, IAS can help.

We offer a range of services and packages aimed at those who require immediate assistance. This includes our Fast-Track Application Package, which is the perfect solution for when speed is a priority. IAS’ immigration lawyers will work closely with you to ensure that your application is completed to the highest standard possible in a short period of time, sometimes even as little as 24 hours.

Alternatively, our Document and Application Checking services can be crucial in ensuring last-minute peace of mind just before you’re about to submit your application.

We also offer a range of advice and consultation services for if you need to talk one-to-one with a lawyer about your personal immigration case.

For more information about the services we provide and what we can do to help your case today, reach out to us on 0333 305 9375 or contact us online  today.

Do you need help with an immigration issue? Our lawyers can assist you. Get in touch

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UK Visitor Visa Fees

Introduction.

At Conroy Baker Ltd., we understand that keeping up with visa regulations and fees can be overwhelming. Our team of experienced solicitors is here to guide you through the process, offering expert advice tailored to your specific needs. We ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information, helping you make informed decisions and submit a successful visa application.

According to data, foreign tourists returned to the United Kingdom in 2022 following a dramatic decline in the two years prior as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. According to estimates, over 20 million more people travelled from outside to the UK in 2022 than in 2021, and that figure is expected to reach 35 million in 2023.

Visitors come to the UK for a variety of reasons, including travel, business, brief academic courses, reunions with family and friends, meetings, and any other activities that are permissible. Typically, visitors are permitted by law to remain in the UK for up to six months or until their visas expire. Let’s compare the previous and present fees for various categories of UK Visitor visas.

Revised UK Tourist Visa Fees for 2023

With effect from April 13, 2023, the UK Home Office has altered the costs for UK visitor visas. At Conroy Baker, we are dedicated to providing reliable and comprehensive services to individuals seeking UK Visitor Visas.

Get in touch with Conroy Baker Ltd

We offer reliable and tailored UK immigration visa services as we have over 30 years of combined experience and panel of qualified solicitors. With over 30 years of experience, clientele in 88+ countries, and a team of professional solicitors, we provide consultations to help you achieve your UK Visitor visa goals.

Get in touch with our UK Visitor visa experts now for professional advice catered to your unique needs.

You can contact us on +44 203 773 2948 or [email protected] to book a consultation.

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Pay for entry: US travelers will soon have to pay a fee to enter the United Kingdom

uk visit visa fee 2023

U.S. citizens will soon have to apply for permission before their United Kingdom trips and pay a small fee to enter as part of the country's upcoming Electronic Travel Authorization scheme.

The  travel fee is meant to secure the U.K.'s borders by giving them more accurate data on who is passing through, according to a U.K. official for the British Consulate General. The move is part of the U.K.'s plan to fully digitize its borders by 2025. 

"The scheme will give the U.K. more control of our borders, allowing us to block threats from entering the U.K., whilst also providing individuals, and carriers, with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the U.K.," according to the U.K. government website .

The scheme is set to be fully implemented by the end of 2023, the "permission to travel" requirement  will apply to travelers visiting or transiting the U.K. without a visa or special immigration status – including visa-free nationalities like the United States. However, being granted permission to travel through the authorization program is not a regular visa.

Travel woes: Why the visa process could be 'discouraging visitors' and keeping families apart

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Other countries already have an authorization scheme process in place. In 2022, the U.S. implemented  the requirement for certain visitors, which costs them $21. The European Union is also looking to create an authorization scheme.

Here's what we know so far about the U.K.'s upcoming authorization scheme: 

How will the process work?

The new scheme shouldn't be too much of a burden on your trip planning. The application process is expected to be quick and easy, according to officials. 

The application process can be done online in a few minutes. Travelers need to make sure they finish the process "a few days before (their) departure to the U.K." To apply, people will need a valid passport, travel details, a valid email address and a credit or debit card for online payment. 

The typical process time for approval will be between 48 and 72 hours. Any errors in your application could delay its processing time or result in a rejection.

Once approved, you'll be able to stay in the U.K. for business or tourism reasons for up to six months. Short-term study and medical treatment are also valid purposes. 

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Trouble getting a visa?: New website highlights travelers affected by 'unconscionable' wait times

Who will the authorization scheme  apply to?

Non-visa nationals will need to apply for the new program. The confirmed list of countries will be announced at a later time but it's expected to include:

  • The European Union.
  • Other European countries like Norway, Iceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Vatican City and Monaco.
  • Visa-exempt nations like Australia, Canada and the United States.

How much will it cost?

According to officials, the fee will be small but the exact cost has yet to be announced .

How long will it be valid? Do I have to apply for each trip?

The authorization will likely be valid for two years  and allow multiple trips to the U.K. 

What happens if I don't apply?

Permission will be confirmed prior to travel and carriers will be checking people's forms, either a printed document or digitally. Showing up without permission to travel may result in a penalty charge. 

The Nationality and Borders Bill will also make it a criminal offense if someone uses deception to try to get authorization. 

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  • United Kingdom – Visa Fees to Increase from 4 October 2023

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Following legislation being laid in Parliament on 15 September, the U.K. Home Office announced that a range of immigration and nationality fees will increase from 4 October 2023. 1   

Many of the visa application fees and Certificate of Sponsorship fees will increase by 15 to 20 percent following on from the government announcement on 13 July, whereby subsequent to the Public Sector Pay debated in Parliament, the U.K. government had announced that it had accepted the headline recommendations of the independent pay-review bodies in full.  This included acceptance of the proposal to increase visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees (IHS) as part of funding a pay-raise for public-sector workers. 2      

According to the Home Office press release on 15 September “ increases to immigration and nationality fees will pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises. ” 3   The changes announced on 15 September do not include the planned increases to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which are scheduled to be introduced later in the autumn with a specific implementation date not yet announced (for prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2023-144 , 18 July 2023). 

WHY THIS MATTERS

For employers that employ and recruit foreign nationals, this means an increase in fees across a range of immigration and nationality “routes,” including for people coming to the U.K. to live, work, and study.  They should therefore, as a priority, assess the impact of the increase in fees on recruitment, talent, and retention policies from the cost and budgeting perspectives.

Further Details

Set to come into effect on 4 October, the increases to visa and nationality fees will range between 15 percent to 20 percent depending on the visa category – with accompanying increases to the IHS being introduced later in autumn due to the legal process for increasing this taking longer.4   Some of the visas for which fees will increase include:

  • Fees for up to 6 months, 2-, 5- and 10-year visit visas.
  • The majority of fees for entry clearance and certain applications for leave to remain in the U.K. including those for work and study.
  • Fees for indefinite leave to enter and indefinite leave to remain.
  • Convention travel document and stateless person’s travel document.
  • Health and Care visa.
  • Fees in relation to Certificate of Sponsorship and Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies.
  • The in- and out-of-country fee for the “super priority” service and the out-of-country fee for the priority service.  The “settlement priority” service will reduce so it is aligned with the cost of using the priority service.
  • Applications to Register and Naturalise as a British Citizen.
  • The fee for the User Pays Visa Application service.

A full list of the new fees can be found at: “ Visa fees transparency data ” from UK Visas and Immigration.

KPMG INSIGHTS

As the amount of the fee increases and effective date for the same have now been announced, employers can start to assess the impact of these on current and future budgeting forecasts with more certainty.  As an immediate action it would be prudent for employers to assess the impact on budgeting for the next financial year.  This would include for example, considering whether the filing of immigration applications can be brought forward to take advantage of the current lower fees; and revisiting any forward planning budget assessments to consider the upcoming increases and reduce the risk of under-budgeting. 

Employers should also be in regular contact with their immigration counsel so that they are keeping abreast of any announcements relating to the effective date of the IHS fee increases as these will have significant impact on budgeting. 

From a long-term, strategic planning perspective, employers may want to review the level of visa application support they provide when seeking to retain and recruit talent, when operating within budgeting constraints, and when business restructuring and expansion planning. 

1  See UK Visas and Immigration, " Policy Paper: UK visa fees ".

2  Hansard, Public Sector Pay, Volume 736: debated on Thursday 13 July 2023: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-07-13/debates/677D41A0-5A85-4869-8167-69044929D759/PublicSectorPay .

3  Home Office (15 September 2023), " News story: New visa fees set to come into effect next month ".

4  House of Commons Library, Research Briefing " UK immigration fees " (published 15 September 2023). 

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Kingdom.

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UK: UK Visa Application Fees From 4 October 2023

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If you're in the process of applying for a UK visa from outside the country, seeking an extension of your stay or aiming for indefinite leave to remain, it's important to note that a Home Office visa application fee is a mandatory part of the application process.

The specific amount of the visa application fee will vary based on factors such as the type of visa or immigration application you're pursuing, whether the application is made from within or outside the UK, and whether you opt for a Home Office premium service for application submission.

It's crucial for each applicant to pay the applicable fee for their visa or immigration application in full, following the prescribed application procedure. The UK visa application fee to be paid will be determined by the fee in effect on the date of your application.

In 2023, the United Kingdom's visa landscape is evolving, and with it, so are the costs involved. Whether you're planning a short-term visit, a long-term study programme, to join family or pursue employment in the UK, understanding the latest visa application fees is crucial for effective planning. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the latest UK visa application fees in force from 4 October 2023, shedding light on the various categories and recent changes. Read to the end for links to some other posts from the Richmond Chambers immigration team that will help you prepare for your journey to the UK.

Recent Changes to UK Visa Application Fees

On 13 July 2023, the UK Government announced that it planned to increase most UK visa application fees by at least 15%. The announcement contained no indication as to when the increase in UK visa application fees would take effect. However, it has now been announced that UK visa application fees will increase on 4 October 2023.

The cost of applying for most, but not all, UK visas will increase on 4 October 2023. This increase will apply to both applications for entry clearance submitted from outside the UK and applications for leave to remain submitted from within the UK. Settlement and citizenship applications will also be impacted.

The application fee for the majority of UK visa applications is set to increase by 15%, with the cost of applying for a family visa (spouse, civil partner, fiance, proposed civil partner, unmarried partner), indefinite leave to remain and naturalisation as a British citizen increasing by 20% and the cost of applying for a student visa increasing by 35%:

  • 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

The cost of applying for a settlement visa from overseas via the Priority Visa Service will drop by 13% from £573 to £500, but the cost of applying for a non-settlement visa from overseas via the Priority Visa Service will increase by 100% from £250 to £500.

However, not all UK visa application fees are increasing.

For example, the cost of applying for a private medical treatment visa for a period of more than 6 months will remain the same at £200, whilst the cost of applying for a 5 year Hong Kong BN(O) visa will remain at £250.

Employers applying for a sponsor licence also avoid a fee increase, with the Home Office fee for both a worker sponsor licence application and a temporary worker sponsor licence application remaining at £536 for a small sponsor and £1,476 for a large sponsor.

That said, it's not all good news for employers, as the cost of allocating a certificate of sponsorship is set to increase by between 19% and 20%.

UK Visa & Immigration Application Fees 2023

The tables below set out the UK visa application fees for all visa and immigration applications submitted from 4 October 2023. The tables include application fees for the following immigration categories:

  • Short Stay Visit Visas
  • Partner & Family Visas
  • Long Term Work Visas
  • Short Term Work Visas
  • Business Visas
  • Business Mobility Visas
  • Global Talent Visas
  • Student & Graduate Visas
  • Hong Kong BN(O) Visas
  • British Citizenship

The majority of UK visa applicants will also be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) on top of their UK visa application fee. For information on the Immigration Health Surcharge and who needs to pay it, please see our previous post . Applicants should note, however, that the UK Government has announced proposals to increase the Immigration Health Surcharge .

Some, but not all, employers who recruit foreign workers may also be required to pay an Immigration Skills Charge .

UK Work Visa Application Fees

Sponsorship application fees, other uk visa and application fees, uk study visa application fees, british citizenship application fees, optional premium visa and immigration services, related posts.

  • UK Visa Application Supporting Documents Guidance
  • A Guide to UK Visa Premium and Priority Services
  • UK Visa Processing & Decision Waiting Times
  • How to Check Your UK Visa Application Status
  • How to Chase a Delayed UK Visa Application
  • UK Visa Application Granted – What Next?
  • How to Appeal a UK Visa or Immigration Decision

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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UK Visa Fees 2023

uk visit visa fee 2023

Travelling to, studying in, or working within the United Kingdom has always been a goal for many individuals worldwide. However, as with any international endeavour, navigating the administrative procedures, notably visa applications, is a pivotal step in the journey. One primary concern for potential applicants is the UK visa fees. These fees have seen periodic revisions and, with the recent changes in 2023, it becomes even more crucial for applicants to be informed and prepared.

The fees for the majority of UK visa applications will witness a surge on 4 October 2023. This revision will affect applications for entry permission made from abroad and to extend stay from within the UK. Applications related to permanent residency and citizenship will also experience a change.

The fee you will need to pay can differ depending on factors such as the kind of visa application you’re making, whether the application is from inside or outside the UK, and whether you decide to use any of the Home Office’s priority services.

Every applicant must ensure they fully pay the required charge, adhering strictly to the application steps. The exact fee will be based on the amount payable on the date of your application.

Visas and applications made outside the UK

Work – applications made outside the uk, work – applications made in the uk, study – applications made outside the uk, study – applications made in the uk, other applications made in the uk, nationality.

For professional advice on any UK visa or migration issue, or to discuss an immigration appeal, please contact our experienced immigration lawyers in London.

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Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

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UK student visa dip 5.5% in 2023, driven by drops in India and Nigeria

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uk visit visa fee 2023

Last Thursday (February 29th) saw the release of the Home Office's most recent data on UK student visas, covering the final quarter of 2023. Across the whole year, UK student visa issuances to main applicants were down 5.5% compared to 2022, mainly driven by falling student numbers in India and Nigeria.

One important factor in this year's trend was a very sharp drop in the final quarter of the year, which saw a 37% drop in visa issuances compared to October-to-December 2022. Although only a relatively small proportion of students receive their visas in Q4, this was enough to turn a slight increase in the January-to-September period into a decline for the year as a whole. As with the full-year statistics, the main drivers of this drop at the country level were India and Nigeria.

Unless otherwise noted all figures in this article refer to visas issued to main applicants, i.e. the students themselves, and exclude visas issued to dependents.

Trends in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa turn negative

In the last few years the number of international students coming to the UK has increased significantly, which was driven mainly by strong growth in India and Nigeria as well as other countries in the South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. However, 2023 saw a reversal of those trends, with drops of 14% and 28% respectively in India and Nigeria.

This change was driven by multiple factors. Economic factors have played an important role in Nigeria, as the Naira was devalued in mid 2023, meaning that UK study has become much more expensive in local currency terms. At the same time, changes to policies on dependent visas have caused negative sentiment in both countries (although the actual policy changes only went into effect at the beginning of 2024), and some students are also concerned about potential future changes to the UK’s Graduate Route post-study work visa.

Both countries saw a particularly sharp drop in the final quarter of the year, with Indian student visa issuances down 43% and issuances to Nigerians down 63% compared to the last three months of 2022.

Elsewhere in South Asia, Pakistan saw 11% growth in UK student visas, but all of this growth came in the first three quarters of the year – the trend in the final three months of the year was negative. Bangladesh had a substantial 39% drop in visa issuances, while Sri Lanka also saw a decline. The only major country in the region to see a continuing increase in Q4 was Nepal, where visa issuances in the October to December period were more than 50% higher than in the same period of 2022.

Nevertheless, visa numbers from these countries continue to be much higher than before the Graduate Route was introduced, and India was still the UK’s top sending country in terms of student visa issuances.

China recovers slightly, but mobility to the UK is still below the pre-Covid level

Visa issuances to Chinese citizens increased by 5.8% in 2023, after a drop last year. This is mainly due to a recovery of outbound students in the first full year after the end of Covid lockdowns.

However the number of visas issued is still 8.4% lower than the figure in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. This is partly a result of intensifying competition for Chinese students – the UK gained market share over the pandemic period but has lost ground to other Anglophone countries in the last year. For example, data from Australia shows that the number of student visas issued to Chinese primary applicants outside of Australia increased by 42% compared to the number in 2022, substantially higher than the UK's growth rate.

Elsewhere in East Asia, the trend is mostly negative. Hong Kong is still the second largest sender in East and South-East Asia but also saw the biggest net drop in the region, with a 17% decrease in visa issuances, following on from a 19% drop last year. Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea – the 3 rd to 5 th largest senders in the region – all saw fewer visas issued in 2023 than the previous year, which in all three cases was a reversal of the trend we saw in 2022. Statistics on the BN(O) visa route, which allows some Hong Kongers to move to the UK to work or study rather than going through the Sponsored Study visa route, also showed a 52% decline compared to last year.

Mixed trends in other countries, generally with less positive results in the final quarter

Trends elsewhere in the world varied by country and region. The US – which was the UK’s 5 th largest sender in 2023 – saw basically flat student numbers, with an increase of only 0.9% year-on-year; meanwhile Saudi Arabia and Kuwait both saw moderate growth at 12% and 7% respectively. Turkey was one of the strongest performing sending countries, with overall growth of 34% compared to 2022. France and Germany – the only EU countries in the top 20 senders – both saw small drops, but the trend in Eastern Europe was more positive with growth across Poland, Romania, Czechia, Bulgaria and Hungary, leading to a basically flat trend for the EU as a whole.

While trends for the whole year varied, most sending countries saw a much more negative trend in the final quarter of the year compared to the January-to-September period. Many saw an increase in visas issued in the first three quarters of the year followed by a drop in the last three months of the year, while India and Nigeria both saw sharper drops in Q4 than in the first three quarters. While only a relatively small proportion of students apply for visas in the final quarter of the year (most apply in the July-to-September quarter ahead of the start of the traditional academic year) this may be a warning sign for potential 2024 recruitment trends.

Divergent trends in child student and general student visas

Looking specifically at child student visas, 2023 saw an increase of young students coming to the UK. The number of child student visas increased by 9.8% in 2023, while general student visas – which account for a large majority of the total – dropped by 5.9%.

This was driven largely by mainland China, which has once more become the UK’s top source of child students. The number of child student visas issued to Chinese citizens increased by more than 90%, although it still remains well below the pre-Covid level. Other major sending countries and territories saw less dramatic changes, with a slight 2% drop in Hong Kong, a roughly flat trend in Germany, and an 8% drop in Spain.

Graduate Route visas continue to grow

2023 was only the second full year in which Graduate Route visas have been available. This year saw a 65% growth in the Graduate Route, with almost 144,000 graduates granted leave to work in the UK under this scheme.

India remains by far the largest source of Graduate Route participants, and saw 68% growth in 2023, while Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh all saw their numbers of Graduate Route visas more than double compared to last year.

China continues to be under-represented on this scheme compared to the number of Chinese students studying in the UK, but nevertheless the number of Chinese citizens issued visas under this route increased by 38% in 2023 to reach more than 11,500.

Detailed statistics

The table below gives student visa issuance trends for the top 30 sending countries or territories, showing the total number of sponsored study visas issued to main applicants (excluding dependents) and their growth compared to the previous year and the pre-pandemic total in 2019. More detailed figures, and data for other countries/territories, are available from the Home Office’s immigration system statistics at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables

About the Author

uk visit visa fee 2023

Kevin leads on the team’s data analysis, providing UK education institutions and other stakeholders with insights and evidence-based recommendations to help them understand overseas markets, recruit overseas students and develop international partnerships. He joined the British Council in 2014 and is based in Beijing but works on projects across the globe.

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Uk study visas fell 5% in 2023—what does this mean for international students.

UK government statistics show a 5% decrease in study visas, spelling the end of a four-year study "boom" | Image © ConvertKit on Unsplash

UK government statistics show a 5% decrease in study visas, spelling the end of a four-year study "boom" | Image © ConvertKit on Unsplash

Government statistics show sponsored study visas for main applicants fell year-on-year in 2023, the first time since 2020. Here’s what that means for the future

Headshot of Amy Hughes

Thu Feb 29 2024

The drop represents the first decrease in international student visas in the UK since 2020, though the overall total is still significantly higher than in 2019.

What do the figures say and what does this mean for business school applicants hoping to attain study visas for the UK? Here’s our analysis.

The international study boom in the UK may be ending

The number of visas issued to main applicants (in other words, not to dependents such as spouses and children) fell from 484,140 in 2022 to 457,673 in 2023 – a 5% decrease.

This is no reason for international students to panic. The rates of rejection haven’t significantly increased. In fact, it wasn’t just the number of visas granted that dropped, but also the number of applications, which fell 3% year-on-year.

Before this, both figures had been consistently rising since 2020, constituting what many considered a “boom” in international study in the UK.

Of course, this boom couldn’t continue forever, and many may see these changes as an inevitable plateau as students’ interest cools.

However, recent changes to visa restrictions in the UK could drive down the number of international students even further.

Incoming policy changes around dependents could amplify this downward trend 

Policy changes that came into effect in January 2024 revoke the right for all except research-based postgraduate students to bring dependents with them to the UK.

It was therefore reasonable to expect applicants to rush to apply for visas before the deadline, but the figures suggest this was not the case.

On the contrary, the drop in visas was particularly pronounced between Q3 and Q4 of 2023.

A significant fall in this period is common, with the majority of the year’s visas being awarded to applicants in Q3 in time for fall enrollment. However, where in 2022, the number of visas issued dropped by 75% between Q3 and Q4, in 2023, they dropped by 83%.

This suggests that interest was cooling in international study in the UK regardless of the changes to policy; however, this may still have an effect going forward.

What can international students expect in 2024?

In 2024, we will likely see a massive drop in the number of dependents coming to the UK on sponsored study visas due to the reduced eligibility for these.

This in turn could impact the number of main applicants coming to the UK, as almost a quarter of visas were issued to dependents in 2023.

If you are planning to pursue a postgraduate business degree in the UK and you don’t have dependents you want to accompany you, this may not affect your plans.

However, if you have a spouse, children, or other dependents, this could affect your long-term planning of your studies and career in the UK.

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uk visit visa fee 2023

  • Entering and staying in the UK
  • Border control
  • Immigration system statistics, year ending December 2023
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How many people come to the UK each year (including visitors)?

Published 29 February 2024

uk visit visa fee 2023

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-december-2023/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-each-year-including-visitors

Back to ‘Immigration system statistics, year ending December 2023’ content page .

Data relates to 2023 and all comparisons are with 2022 (unless indicated otherwise). All data includes dependants, unless indicated otherwise.

1. Passenger arrivals to the UK

Passenger arrival data includes all arrivals at the UK border through legal routes. Many of those arrivals (such as British nationals, Non-visa nationals coming to visit, and persons with indefinite leave to remain) do not require prior permission (such as a visa) to enter the UK. Others will require permission to enter, such as a visa.

There were an estimated 132 million passenger arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) in 2023 (including foreign tourists and returning UK residents). This was 23% more than 2022 (109 million), which reflects an increase in global travel after restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic were removed in early 2022. However, numbers remain 10% lower than in 2019, before the pandemic.

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the Home Office published additional detailed statistics on air arrivals to the UK over a period when travel was severely reduced. A full account of the pattern in air passenger arrivals over the pandemic period can be found in the last edition of the report ‘Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak’ (Home Office, August 2022).

2. Visitors and Short term stay

Only certain nationalities (‘visa-nationals’) are required to obtain an entry clearance visa before coming to visit the UK, which is one reason why there are considerably more passenger arrivals than visas granted. Additionally, passenger arrivals will include British nationals. Many nationalities, including US nationals do not normally require a visa to visit the UK; consequently, there are considerably fewer visitor visas granted than visitor arrivals.

There are several ways a non-British national may get permission to visit the UK for a short, temporary period, (usually up to 6 months), for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, carrying out a business activity, or undertaking a short course of study.

  • visa nationals must apply online for an entry clearance visa in advance of travel
  • non-visa nationals can be granted leave to enter on arrival at the UK border
  • people with existing immigration status do not need additional documents
  • the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling; further information can be found on the Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) guidance page.

There were 1,956,526 visitor visas granted in 2023, 40% higher than 2022 and 19% lower than prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitor visa grants have continued to increase post-pandemic but are still below the peak in 2019 (2,413,461).

In 2023, Indian nationals accounted for more than a quarter (26%) of Visitor visas granted, with Chinese nationals accounting for another fifth (21%). The next largest visa nationality were Turkish nationals (6%).

The increase in the latest year was due to 349,045 more visitor visas for Chinese nationals, over 6 times the amount in 2022 but 36% fewer than in the year ending 2019. Visitor visas for Indian nationals increased in the latest year by 22%.

The ETA scheme opened to Qatari nationals on 15 October 2023. In 2023 quarter 4 (October to December) , there were 12,190 applications for ETA and 12,076 grants, all applications were for Qatar nationals. From 1 February 2024, the scheme opened to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Additional information on visitors to the UK is published by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) in its publication ‘Leisure and tourism statistics’ .

3. Other grants of Entry clearance visas

There were 1,440,611 other grants of entry clearance in 2023, similar to 2022. This is made up of Work (616,371), Study (605,504), Family (98,998) 1 and ‘Other’, which includes the Ukraine schemes (119,738).

Figure 1: Entry clearance visas granted by route (main applicants and dependents) between 2014 and 2023 1

Source: Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes – Vis_D02

  • Family includes EEA and EUSS Permits.

Total visa numbers are now higher than pre-pandemic levels with almost 3.4 million visas granted in 2023. The increase within the last year is primarily due to 560,365 more visitor visas, which now make up over half (58%) of total entry clearance visas granted in 2023 although this visitor number is 19% fewer than in 2019, prior to the pandemic. In contrast, there are now more work and study visas granted in 2023 (36%) than in 2019 (19%). There were also 119,738 visas granted for other reasons in 2023, including grants of leave on the Ukraine Schemes and the British National (overseas) route), which is down 183,180 (-60%) to 119,738 in the last year. Family visas have continued to remain stable within this period.

4. About these statistics

The statistics in this section provide an indication of the number of people who enter the UK.

The data does not show whether, or when, an individual arrived in the UK, what they did on arrival to the UK or how long they stayed in the UK.

Many nationalities do not normally require a visa to visit the UK. As a result, they will be counted in the passenger arrivals data but not in the visa data. A list of designated nationalities referred to as ‘visa nationals’ who do require a visa to visit the UK can be found in Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules .

For several reasons, data on passenger arrivals is not directly comparable with data on Entry clearance visas granted. A summary of what each dataset counts is provided in section 4.1 below and section 4.2 .

4.1 Passenger arrivals

Data on passenger arrivals relates to the number of arrivals into the UK. The data includes British, EEA and Swiss nationals, as well as non- EEA nationals. For non- EEA nationals who are subject to immigration controls, more detailed information is available on their nationality and purpose of their journey up until 2018.

Passenger arrivals are counted each time an individual enters the UK. Where an individual enters the UK more than once in a period, they will be counted each time they enter (but if they arrive each time on the same visa, they will be counted once in the visas data).

Visitor arrivals data included in this topic is based on landing cards completed as people cross the border. In light of the introduction of new digital systems at the border, the use of landing cards was reviewed. The review resulted in the decision to remove the need for non- EEA nationals to complete a landing card on arrival into the UK. Further data relating to visitor arrivals will not be available until an alternative method of collection is developed.

4.2 Entry clearance visas

Data on entry clearance visas in this section refers to the number of visas granted for all reasons within the period. References in the statistics to ‘visas’ will also include entry clearance ‘permits’, such as EEA and EU Settlement Scheme Family permits, or Frontier Worker permits. If an individual was granted multiple visas in a given period, this will be counted as multiple grants in the statistics. If an individual entered the UK multiple times within the period for which a visa was valid, this will be counted as one grant in the visa statistics, but multiple arrivals in the passenger arrivals data.

Year-on-year comparisons of the number of decisions can be affected by quarterly fluctuations in the data. Such fluctuations can be examined in more detail in the quarterly data that is available in the published tables.

Several known factors may have affected the number of applications and outcomes of visit-related visas over time. For example, the Home Office launched a 2-year Chinese visa pilot in January 2016 for Chinese nationals. The increase in longer-term Visitor visas may affect the number of subsequent re-applications by Chinese nationals.

More information on non-visitor arrival and visa data by category is included in ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To work’ , ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To study’ and ʻWhy do people come to the UK? For family reasons’ .

For more information on specific routes to the UK, including Ukraine Visa Schemes and British National (Overseas) ( BN(O) ) visas, see the ‘ Safe and legal (humanitarian) routes to the UK ’.

5. Data tables

  • Sponsorship summary tables
  • Detailed sponsorship datasets
  • Entry clearance visas summary tables
  • Detailed entry clearance visas datasets
  • Admissions summary tables

We welcome your feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions for the development of this report, please provide feedback by emailing [email protected] . Please include the words ‘PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our documents. If you find any problems or have any feedback relating to accessibility, please email us.

See section 6 of the ‘ About this release ’ section for more details.

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IMAGES

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  1. Home Office immigration and nationality fees: 4 October 2023

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    The British government have released the UK Visa fees for 2023 and beyond. Find out more about your chosen visa type with this list from the experts at IAS. 03334149244 (local ... If you hold a visitor visa and you intend to enter the UK, you will not need to pay the charge. The cost of the immigration healthcare surcharge is as follows:

  7. UK Visa Application Fee Increases Begin October 2023

    A 15% increase in fees on visit routes (except for visit visas of two years' duration, which will increase by 6%) A 15% increase in fees on most work routes (including the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes), together with a 20% increase in the cost of issuing Certificate of Sponsorships from £199 to £239.

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  12. UK Visa Fees to Rise from October 2023

    The Home Office has announced a raise in fees for certain UK visa and nationality applications to come into effect from October 2023. 03334149244 (local rate) Mon - Sun, 8.30 am - 6 pm ... Old Fee: New Fee from 4 October 2023: Visit visa (up to 6 months) £100: £115: Visit visa (up to 2 years) £376: £400: Visit visa (up to 5 years) £670: £ ...

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  15. UK Visa Fees Increase 2023

    On 4 October 2023, the Home Office increased the application fees for a broad range of UK visas, primarily on the grounds of increased administration costs due to recent high inflation in the UK. Details of the new fees can be found below. NB: These changes affect UK visa application fees set by the Home Office and do not include the separate ...

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    Standard Visitor visa - for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. Visa types. Visa application fee (INR) Visa application guide. Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) 12515. Visa application guide. Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) 43532.

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