A complete 2026 breakdown of UK visa, settlement, and naturalisation fees — including the Immigration Health Surcharge that adds £1,035/year to most categories.
Overview
The United Kingdom operates a structured visa system administered by the Home Office through UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration). Visa categories tier by purpose: work routes (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Health and Care, Innovator Founder, Scale-up); study (Student, Child Student); family (Spouse/Partner, Child); investment (Innovator Founder — replaced the previous Tier 1 Investor route); and humanitarian (Refugee, Discretionary Leave). Critical 2026 features: Skilled Worker minimum salary £41,700 (raised from £38,700 in April 2024); Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year for most applicants; Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) at £2,885 after 5 years of qualifying residence; British citizenship via naturalisation £1,605 + Life in the UK Test £50 + B1 English test. Fees updated 8 April 2026 per Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees Regulations 2026. This guide details every fee and threshold, verified against gov.uk.
Major UK Visa Categories and Fees (2026)
| Visa | Description | Fee | Salary/Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (3 yrs) | Standard work visa with sponsored employer | £625-£1,423 + IHS | ≥£41,700 (some lower for shortage) |
| Skilled Worker (5 yrs) | Same; longer stay option | £1,250-£1,500+ + IHS | Same threshold |
| Health and Care Worker visa | Healthcare workers | £304-£551 + IHS waived (exempt) | Various |
| Global Talent visa | Top achievers in tech/science/arts/research/digital | £766-£904 + IHS | Endorsement required (no salary) |
| Innovator Founder | Innovative business founders | £1,191-£1,486 + IHS | Endorsement + innovation + ability |
| Scale-up Worker | Senior staff at fast-growing UK companies | £937-£1,084 + IHS | ≥£41,700 typically |
| Student visa | Higher education at UK institution | £524-£634 + IHS reduced | Acceptance + funds |
| Visitor visa (up to 6 months) | Tourism, business meetings, short courses | £127 | No income test |
| Spouse/Partner of UK citizen | Marriage-based; family route | £2,193-£3,250 + IHS | Income £18,600+/year sponsor |
| Ancestry visa (Commonwealth) | Grandparent born in UK | £694 + IHS | Commonwealth citizenship |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent settlement after 5 yrs | £2,885 | 5 yrs qualifying residence |
| British Citizenship by Naturalisation | After 12 months ILR (3 yrs married to UK citizen) | £1,605 | Plus £50 Life in UK Test + £150+ B1 English |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Most visa categories: £1,035/year for adults; £776/year for children + students.
- Health and Care visa: Exempt from IHS.
- Paid upfront: For the full visa period at application time. 3-year visa = £3,105 IHS; 5-year visa = £5,175 IHS.
- What it covers: Access to the NHS (National Health Service) on the same basis as UK residents.
- Refunds: Partial refund if you leave the UK and don't use NHS services.
Other Costs
- Tuberculosis test: Required for nationals of certain countries (Asia, Africa, parts of LatAm). £80-150 typical at IOM-approved clinics.
- Priority processing: Additional £500-1,000 for faster decision (1-5 working days vs standard 3 weeks).
- Super Priority processing: Additional £1,000 for 24-hour decision (where available).
- Biometric enrolment: Included in visa fee; UKVCAS appointment booked with the application.
- Solicitor/immigration lawyer: £1,000-5,000 typical for standard application; more for complex cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026?
Application fee £625-£1,423 + Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. For a 3-year visa: ~£3,730-£4,528 total. For 5-year visa: ~£6,300-£7,250 total. Salary requirement minimum £41,700 (raised from £38,700 in April 2024) for jobs not on the Immigration Salary List. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List have lower fees and salary thresholds.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Annual fee paid upfront with most UK visa applications giving access to NHS healthcare. £1,035/year for adults; £776/year for children and students. Health and Care visa holders are exempt. The IHS is paid for the full visa period at application — a 3-year visa pays £3,105 IHS upfront, a 5-year visa pays £5,175. Partial refund available if you leave the UK and don't use NHS services.
What's the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
£41,700 for most jobs (raised from £38,700 in April 2024). Lower thresholds apply for: Immigration Salary List jobs (£30,000+), Health and Care visa (£23,200), new entrants (within 3 years of qualifying or within 3 years of degree completion). The salary requirement is met by the worker's salary, not employer's offer or other sources.
How much does a UK Global Talent visa cost?
£766 (3-year) to £904 (5-year) + Immigration Health Surcharge. No salary threshold but requires endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body (UKRI, Royal Society, etc.) for your field — tech, science, arts, research, or digital innovation. Self-endorsement available for those with exceptional achievement (Fellow of Royal Society, Olympic medalist, etc.).
How much does Indefinite Leave to Remain cost in the UK?
£2,885 per applicant. ILR is granted after 5 years of qualifying residence — Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Spouse/Partner all qualify. ILR provides permanent right to remain in the UK without further visa renewal. Required for British citizenship application (12 months after ILR for naturalisation, 3 years if married to UK citizen).
How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?
£1,605 application fee + £50 Life in the UK Test + B1 English language test (£150-300 depending on test). Plus £19.20 biometric enrolment. Realistic total cost £1,825-£2,000 for the citizenship process. After approval, citizenship ceremony fee £80 typical. Total cost from ILR to British citizenship: approximately £4,500-£5,000.
Is the UK visitor visa fee the same as Schengen?
No — different system. UK visitor visa is £127 for up to 6 months. Multiple-entry 2-year visitor visa £442; 5-year £766; 10-year £963. The UK is not in Schengen; UK visa is required separately for nationals who would need Schengen visa. Some nationalities are visa-exempt for up to 6 months — Canadian, Australian, NZ, EU citizens, several others.
Does the UK accept Health Surcharge for visa applications outside the UK?
Yes — IHS must be paid for any UK visa lasting more than 6 months, whether application is inside or outside the UK. The IHS is paid online when you submit your visa application. Without IHS payment, the visa application is incomplete. Health and Care visa holders are the only exemption.