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UK Hikes Visa and Passport Fees to Fund Digital Immigration System

Officials say service times stay largely unchanged with most visa decisions in three weeks.

Overview

  • The new fee schedule, which took effect Wednesday, raises most visa charges and lifts online passport application costs to £102 for adults and £66.50 for children.
  • A standard six-month visitor visa now costs £135, a study visa £558, and a Skilled Worker visa of up to three years £819.
  • Longer-term routes see the heaviest increases, with an ordinary settlement application now £2,064 and a care-by-relative visa £3,635.
  • The increases are tied to a push for a fully digital border, including full use of the Electronic Travel Authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, which now costs £20.
  • The British High Commission says there is no cap on applications and that most visas will continue to be processed within three weeks.