The United Kingdom government has announced a sweeping increase in visa, residency, and citizenship fees, with the new rates set to take effect from April 8, 2026.
The revised charges, published by the UK Home Office, will impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit, study, work, or settle in the UK.
Widespread Increases Across Categories
The new fee structure shows across-the-board increases in most visa categories, reflecting tighter immigration policies and rising administrative costs.
Nigeria remains one of the largest sources of UK visa applicants, with thousands applying annually for student, work, and visitor visas.
Key Changes at a Glance
Here are some of the most notable fee adjustments:
Visit Visas
- Short-term (6 months): £127 → £135
- 2-year visa: £475 → £506
- 5-year visa: £848 → £903
- 10-year visa: £1,059 → £1,128
Student Visas
- Student (main & dependants): £524 → £558
- Child student: £524 → £558
- Short-term English study: £214 → £228
Work Visas
- Skilled Worker (up to 3 years): £769 → £819
- Skilled Worker (over 3 years): £1,519 → £1,618
- Health & Care Visa (up to 3 years): £304 → £324
- Start-up visa: £465 → £495
- Innovator Founder: £1,274 → £1,357
Some categories, including the High Potential Individual visa (£880) and Tier 1 Investor visa (£2,000), remain unchanged.
Settlement and Citizenship Costs Rise
Applicants seeking permanent residency and citizenship will also face higher fees:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain: £3,029 → £3,226
- Route to Settlement: £1,938 → £2,064
- British Citizenship (Naturalisation): £1,605 → £1,709
Exception: Fee Reduction for Children
In a rare move, the UK government reduced the fee for registering a child as a British citizen:
- Child registration: £1,214 → £1,000
What This Means for Nigerians
The increase is expected to raise the cost of migration plans for many Nigerians, particularly students and skilled workers seeking opportunities in the UK.
Analysts say the hike could:
- Make the UK less accessible for lower-income applicants
- Push more Nigerians to explore alternative destinations
- Increase financial pressure on families funding education abroad
Implementation Timeline
All new fees will apply to applications submitted on or after April 8, 2026, giving prospective applicants a limited window to apply under current rates.
With demand for UK visas still strong, the changes mark a significant shift in the cost of international mobility for Nigerians and other global applicants.
