News report · Checked 21 October 2026.
UK Visas and Immigration updated its visa-fee transparency publication on 20 October. The update adds fee and unit-cost information for the schedule effective from 8 October. A unit cost is not a discounted application price or an amount that an applicant can choose to pay.
The separate Home Office fee table remains the practical reference for the charge attached to each application category. It lists different sections for applications made inside and outside the UK, work, study, nationality and optional services.
What the table shows for visitors
The published 8 October table lists a standard visit visa for up to six months at £135. Longer-validity visit visas are shown at £506 for two years, £903 for five years and £1,128 for ten years. These visitor rows show no increase in that particular October update. A new table date does not mean every visa category became more expensive.
A useful budget separates the government application fee from optional appointment services, document preparation, translation, courier costs and any other charge relevant to the selected route. Ask an adviser to itemise these rather than presenting one unexplained figure. Compare the same route, duration and application location before concluding that two quotations disagree.
Before paying
Write down the exact visa category selected in the application. Check the fee immediately before submission and keep the official receipt. If an agent quotes a “government fee” that differs from the official table, request a breakdown and an explanation of the currency conversion used.
For a household submitting several applications, build a separate line for each person. Do not assume that a child, dependant or accompanying relative always attracts the same charge as the main applicant. Where an exemption or reduction may apply, verify its conditions on the relevant route page before budgeting around it. The transparency update is useful context, but the live application and official schedule determine the charge to check.
Official sources
Sources reviewed on 21 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
