The fee hikes come as the UK remains a top destination for Nigerians, with British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery highlighting in December 2024 that around 300,000 new visas were granted to Nigerians in recent years
UK to Raise Visa Fees April 9 2025: Travelers, Students, Workers Brace for Impact
The United Kingdom is rolling out a hefty visa fee hike in 2025, set to hit travelers, students, and workers planning to enter the country.
Announced via an official government report reviewed this week, the changes kick in on April 9, 2025, with additional increases for visa-exempt travelers needing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) starting April 2.
For those eyeing a quick UK getaway, the Standard Visitor Visa—good for six months—jumps 10 percent from £115 to £127. Longer-term visitor visas face even steeper climbs: the two-year visa rises from £432 to £475, the five-year option from £771 to £848, and the ten-year visa from £963 to £1,059.
Meanwhile, the ETA fee, currently a modest $12, surges 60 percent to $20, impacting travelers from visa-free nations who still need pre-travel approval.
Students aren’t spared either. The standard Student Visa fee, covering both applicants and dependants, climbs from £490 to £524. Child Student Visas match that rate, while short-term English language course visas (six to eleven months) edge up from £200 to £214—another blow to international learners’ budgets.
Workers heading to the UK will feel the pinch too. The Health and Care Worker Visa leaps 28.2 percent to £470 from £367, and the Skilled Worker Visa for shortage occupations rises 26.3 percent to match at £470. Aspiring entrepreneurs face a steeper climb, with the Innovator Founder Visa increasing from £1,191 to £1,274 and the Start-up Visa ticking up from £435 to £465.
The fee hikes come as the UK remains a top destination for Nigerians, with British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery highlighting in December 2024 that around 300,000 new visas were granted to Nigerians in recent years—outpacing any other country’s visa ties with Nigeria.
As costs soar, however, travelers, students, and workers worldwide may need to rethink their UK plans for 2025. Read More
