The UK Home Office has unveiled a comprehensive increase in visa, residency, and citizenship fees, with the new charges scheduled to take effect from April 8, 2026.
The changes will impact thousands of foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, who make up a significant share of applicants seeking to visit, study, work, or settle in the United Kingdom each year.
With demand for UK migration opportunities still strong, the revised fees introduce an additional financial hurdle for prospective applicants across nearly all visa categories.
Widespread Fee Adjustments
The updated pricing structure affects both overseas and in-country applications.
From short-term visit visas to permanent residency and citizenship processes, most categories have seen upward revisions.
For instance, the cost of a standard visitor visa for up to six months will increase modestly, while student and work visa applicants will face higher charges across multiple routes.
Settlement and citizenship applications—already among the most expensive—have also been revised upward, further raising the overall cost of long-term migration.
Notable Exception
Amid the general increases, one category stands out. The fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been reduced, offering some relief to families.
This makes it the only major category to see a price drop in the new schedule.
Below is the full list of UK visa and immigration fees relevant to Nigerians:
Visit Visas
- Short-term (up to 6 months): Old: £127, New: £135
- Long-term (up to 2 years): Old: £475, New: £506
- Long-term (up to 5 years): Old: £848, New: £903
- Long-term (up to 10 years): Old: £1,059, New: £1,128
- Visiting academic (more than 6 months, up to 12 months): Old: £220, New: £234
- Private medical treatment (more than 6 months, up to 11 months): Old: £220, New: £234
- Direct airside transit visa: Old: £39, New: £41.50
- Landside transit visit visa: Old: £70, New: £74.50
Student Visa
- Student (main applicant and dependants): Old: £524, New: £558
- Child Student: Old: £524, New: £558
- Short-term student (English language, over 6 months up to 11 months): Old: £214, New: £228
Work Visa
- Skilled Worker – up to 3 years: Old: £769, New: £819
- Skilled Worker – over 3 years: Old: £1,519, New: £1,618
- Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – up to 3 years: Old: £590, New: £628
- Skilled Worker (Immigration Salary List) – over 3 years: Old: £1,160, New: £1,235
- Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – up to 3 years: Old: £304, New: £324
- Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – over 3 years: Old: £590, New: £628
- Innovator Founder: Old: £1,274, New: £1,357
- Start-up: Old: £465, New: £495
- Scale-up: Old: £880, New: £937
- High Potential Individual: Old: £880, New: £880 (unchanged)
- Graduate Route: Old: £880, New: £937
- T2 Minister of Religion: Old: £769, New: £819
- International Sportsperson – up to 12 months: Old: £319, New: £340
- International Sportsperson – over 12 months: Old: £769, New: £819
- Temporary Work (Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange, Youth Mobility Scheme, India Young Professionals Scheme): Old: £319, New: £340
- Representative of an overseas business: Old: £769, New: £819
- Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (up to 3 years): Old: £769, New: £819
- Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (over 3 years): Old: £1,519, New: £1,618
- Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee: Old: £319, New: £340
- Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier: Old: £319, New: £340
- Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker: Old: £319, New: £340
- Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker: Old: £319, New: £340
Settlement And Indefinite Leave
- Route to Settlement: Old: £1,938, New: £2,064
- Route to Settlement – other dependant relative: Old: £3,413, New: £3,635
- Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative: Old: £424, New: £452
- Indefinite leave to remain: Old: £3,029, New: £3,226
- Visitor Extension (in-country): Old: £1,100, New: £1,172
- Leave to remain – Other: Old: £1,321, New: £1,407
Travel Documents
- Certificate of travel (adult): Old: £300, New: £320
- Certificate of travel (child): Old: £151, New: £161
- Convention travel document (adult): Old: £94.50, New: £102
- Convention travel document (child): Old: £61.50, New: £66.50
Nationality And Citizenship
- Naturalisation (British citizenship): Old: £1,605, New: £1,709
- Registration as a British citizen – adult: Old: £1,446, New: £1,540
- Registration as a British citizen – child: Old: £1,214, New: £1,000 (reduced)
- Renunciation of nationality: Old: £482, New: £513
- Nationality review: Old: £482, New: £513
- Status Letter (Nationality): Old: £459, New: £489
- Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality): Old: £459, New: £489
What This Means
For many Nigerians planning to relocate to the UK, the new fee structure represents a significant rise in overall migration costs.
With increases affecting nearly every stage—from visa application to permanent residency—individuals and families may need to budget more carefully or reassess their plans.
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Despite the higher costs, the UK is expected to remain a top destination for education, employment, and long-term settlement.
However, the financial barrier to entry has clearly been raised.