Migrating to the UK in 2025 involves staying updated on the latest UK visa fees and requirements, tailored to different visa categories. Beginning April 10, 2024, the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has revised its fees for applications across visitor, family, student, and work visas, each with specific requirements and durations.
Understanding these changes is essential, as fees and requirements differ based on the visa type and duration of stay. For example, visitor visas, student permits, family reunification visas, and work permits each require different documentation and fees depending on the applicant’s intended purpose and time in the UK.
This guide will outline the most common types of UK visas and their associated fees and services to aid in the planning process for those looking to establish a life or career in the UK in 2025.
What is a UK Visa?
If you are a foreigner, that is, a non-UK citizen or permanent resident, you will need a legal document that will enable you to stay in the United Kingdom should you have reason to travel there. This legal document is called a Visa.
Visas enable foreigners to study, work, live temporarily, or permanently in the UK. Visas can take the form of either a stamped endorsement in your passport or a document issued by a UK embassy, or consulate in your home country.
Why do I need a UK Visa?
People from all walks of life seek UK visas for various reasons, including:
- Employment or Business Opportunities: Individuals seeking to explore professional endeavors or establish businesses in the UK.
- Education or Training Purposes: Students and professionals looking to enhance their skills and knowledge through academic or vocational programs.
- Short-Term Visits: Tourists and travelers seeking to experience the rich culture and heritage of the UK, or for other short-term reasons.
- Family Reunification: Reuniting with family members who are already residing in the UK, fostering bonds and connections.
- Transit: Passing through the UK en route to another destination, making the most of convenient transit facilities.
- Permanent Settlement: Individuals aspiring to make the UK their permanent home, contributing to the diverse tapestry of British society.
- Seeking Refuge or Humanitarian Protection: Those fleeing persecution or conflict, seeking safety and security in the UK.
- Statelessness: Individuals lacking citizenship or nationality, seeking recognition and rights in the UK.
- Permission to Remain: Individuals requiring authorization to stay in the UK for various reasons, such as work, family, or legal considerations.
What are the Types of UK Visa in 2025?
If you are in the process of making a trip to the United Kingdom from outside the country, it is important you familiarize yourself with the type of visa applicable to you.
The type of visa you would apply for depends on your condition or reason for making the trip – you be visiting for leisure, studying, joining family, or working. The types of UK Visas Applicable are itemized below;
Standard Visitor Visa:
Visitor and Tourist Visas are short-term visas (generally no longer than 6 months) allowing visitors to come to the UK for short stays, tourism, healthcare, and similar purposes.
With this visa, you cannot work in the UK. You need to prove that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit, as well as that you need to be able to financially support yourself and any of your dependents during your stay in the UK.
Student Visa:
International students who wish to come to the UK to study may need to apply for this type of visa. There are different Student Visas depending on whether the student is a child, adult or individual who is coming for a short period only.
When applying for a student visa, you need to ensure to make your eligibility as clear as you can, making it an easier decision for the Home Office to grant your application.
Family Visa
The family visa will allow applicants to join family members in the UK as their dependents. A Family Visa can be relevant for a spouse (or civil partner, fiancé), a parent, a grandparent, a child, or other relatives.
Work or Business Visas
The UK Government also offers her entry visas to professionals who wish to work while living in the UK. The Skilled Worker Visa paves the way for employers to sponsor the visas of highly-rated professionals on short or long-term contracts.
Refugee Visa
Temporary Refugee Visa is for people who are about to enter the UK and are at the borders because had to leave their country as their life was seriously threatened. The application for this visa is made from within the UK.
The visa is temporary until the visa holder is not endangered anymore and can return to their country. Visa for Stateless Persons is for foreigners living in the UK and are not nationals in any other country in the world. This visa is given for 2 to 6 years with a possibility of extension.
Others include;
- Settlement Visas.
- Transit Visas.
- Partner Visas
- Tourist Visas
How To Apply for UK Visa 2025
Let’s help you understand the UK visa application process and procedures you need to go through to obtain a visa to the United Kingdom.
- Find out if you need a UK visa
You may be exempted from applying for a UK Visa if you are a citizen of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the Commonwealth.
- Choose the right UK visa type
Your purpose of traveling to the UK will determine the type of visa you should apply for. This will also enable you to know the requirements and documents you will be asked to provide
- Complete the online application form
Once you know the type of visa you will be applying for, you can proceed to the UKVI’s website to download the visa application form online
- Collect the required documents for a UK visa application
After filling out the application form, you are required to attach some supporting documents. These documents are to be submitted alongside the form online in clear PDF or JPEG format.
- Schedule a UK visa appointment
Scheduling the UK Visa appointment requires you to make payment. Your type of visa also determines what amount you will be paying. Fastracking your visa appointment also attracts additional costs.
- Attend the UK visa interview
Your date and time of the interview will be communicated. Ensure to choose a location close to you to get to the venue in time. You should also go along with original and duplicate copies of all the documents you uploaded.
How Long Does UK Visa Take?
The application and approval of the UK Visa generally takes 3 weeks. This is also dependent on the type of visa you are applying for.
When Should You Apply for a UK Visa?
It is advisable that you apply for a UK Visa four to five weeks before your departure for the United Kingdom. This will give you enough time to allow the consulate go through and approve your application.
Documents Required for UK Visa Application
You should submit the following documents to apply for a UK visa:
- UK visa application form.
- Two photographs.
- Your Valid Passport. It must be valid for three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the UK after your trip.
- Proof you have the financial means to cover the living costs while in the UK.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Detailed travel itinerary. Submit a travel plan that gives all the information regarding how and what you are planning to do in the UK.
- Tuberculosis Test Results.
- Biometric information.
- UK visa invitation letter.
- UK cover letter.
- Paid UK visa fees.
- Certified translations of any document that is not in either English or Welsh.
Other documents include;
- Employment/Business/University Letter
- Birth Certificate (If less than 18)
How much is UK Visa Application Fee 2025?
The cost of a UK Visa Application Fee depends on the type of visa an applicant is applying for.
The UK Visa Application Fees for most, but not all, UK visas were increased by 15% on 4 October 2023. Other restrictions were also announced especially for students bringing in their dependents to the UK.
Further increments (about 35%) were introduced on 10 April 2024 to both applications for entry clearance submitted from outside the UK and applications for leave to remain submitted from within the UK.
Here is a summary of the current UK Application Fees for 2025;
- Visit visa (6 months) – up by 15% from £100 to £115
- Skilled Worker visa – up by 15% from £625 to £719
- Innovator Founder visa – up by 15% from £1,036 to £1,191
- High Potential Individual visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- UK Expansion Worker visa – up by 15% from £259 to £298
- Global Talent visa – up by 15% from £623 to £716
- Scale-up visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- Student visa – up by 35% from £363 to £490
- Graduate visa – up by 15% from £715 to £822
- Spouse visa – up by 20% from £1,538 to £1,846
- Indefinite leave to remain – up by 20% from £2,404 to £2,885
- Naturalisation as a British citizen – up by 20% from £1,250 to £1,500.
Full list of all latest UK Visa Application Fees can be found on the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website
