The Home Office has confirmed that the UK government will increase visa fees for transit, work, and study applications from 8 April 2026.

These changes affect applications made outside the UK, including short- and long-term visit visas, skilled worker visas, and student visas.

Visa application fees are also increasing across key routes, and Skilled Worker visa fees will rise for both overseas and in-country applications, with higher charges applying depending on the length of sponsorship. 

Visas and applications made outside the UK

Transit visa fees will rise to KSh 5,386 (£41.50) for direct airside applications and KSh 9,674 (£74.50) for landside transit, while electronic travel authorisation (ETA) fees increase to KSh 2,598 (£20).

Fees Category Current Fee (KSh) New Fee (KSh) Fee Change (KSh)
Visit visa – short up to 6 months 16,508 17,552 1,044
Visit visa – long up to 2 years 61,703 65,654 3,951
Visit visa – long up to 5 years 110,192 117,210 7,018
Visit visa – long up to 10 years 137,484 146,486 9,002
Visiting academic – 6–12 months 28,576 30,384 1,808
Private medical treatment visa – 6–11 months 28,576 30,384 1,808
Transit visa – direct airside 5,067 5,386 319
Transit visit visa – landside 9,093 9,674 581
Visa for joining a ship or aircraft as crew 9,093 9,674 581
Single-entry visa to replace BRP 19,998 19,998 0
Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode 76,524 76,524 0
Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) 19,998 19,998 0
Other visa 88,576 94,335 5,759
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) – 30 months 25,070 26,743 1,673
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) – 5 years 34,800 37,016 2,216
Route to Settlement 251,804 267,894 16,090
Route to Settlement – other dependant relative 443,428 471,799 28,371
Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative 55,040 58,715 3,675
Indefinite leave – dependant of HM Armed Forces 393,417 418,956 25,539
Indefinite leave – HM Armed Forces service leaver 393,417 418,956 25,539
Call out/out of hours fee per hour 18,445 18,445 0
Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents 18,308 18,308 0
Administrative review 10,391 10,391 0
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) 2,078 2,598 520
Indefinite leave – victim of domestic abuse & dependants 393,417 418,956 25,539

Also Read: Kenyans Pay Ksh 24,000 Non-Refundable US Visa Fees as Thousands of Applications Are Rejected

Work Visas – Applications Made Outside the UK

Skilled Worker and other work visa fees will also rise, with the basic Skilled Worker visa now costing KSh 106,273 (£819) and higher-tier applications exceeding KSh 210,000 (£1,618).

Fees Category Current Fee (KSh) New Fee (KSh) Fee Change (KSh)
Innovator Founder – main & dependants 165,434 176,289 10,855
Start-up – main & dependants 60,404 64,331 3,927
Tier 1 Entrepreneur – dependants only 165,434 176,289 10,855
Skilled Worker ≤3 years 99,782 106,273 6,491
Skilled Worker >3 years 197,262 210,048 12,786
Skilled Worker – Salary List ≤3 years 76,635 81,537 4,902
Skilled Worker – Salary List >3 years 150,652 160,331 9,679
Skilled Worker – Health & Care ≤3 years 39,489 42,076 2,587
Skilled Worker – Health & Care >3 years 76,635 81,537 4,902
T2 Minister of Religion 99,782 106,273 6,491
International Sportsperson ≤12 months 41,441 44,162 2,721
International Sportsperson >12 months 99,782 106,273 6,491
Temporary Work (Seasonal, Charity, Creative, Youth Mobility) 41,441 44,162 2,721
Representative of overseas business 99,782 106,273 6,491
Global Business Mobility ≤3 years 99,782 106,273 6,491
Global Business Mobility >3 years 197,262 210,048 12,786
Scale-up – main & dependants 114,303 121,785 7,482
High-Potential Individual 114,303 114,303 0

Also Read: How to Reschedule Your Visa or Passport Appointment in Kenya

Study Visas – Applications Made Outside the UK

Student visa fees increase to KSh 72,504 (£558) for main applicants and dependants, while short-term English language study visas rise to KSh 29,630 (£228).

Fees Category Current Fee (KSh) New Fee (KSh) Fee Change (KSh)
Student – main & dependants 68,080 72,504 4,424
Child Student 68,080 72,504 4,424
Short-term English language 6–11 months 27,777 29,630 1,853

For readers seeking information on other visa categories, including those applied for in the UK, detailed guidance and updated fees are available in the official UK Home Office publication.

The full table of visa regulations and fees, revised as of 8 April 2026, is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-8-april-2026#study–applications-made-outside-the-uk.

This resource provides comprehensive details on application requirements, fee structures, and eligibility criteria.

UK Govt to Raise All Visa Fees, Including Transit, Work, and Student, From April 8
UK visa application graphic representation. PHOTO/visaDone