The UK Home Office has announced a sweeping increase in visa, residency and citizenship application fees, a move set to take effect next month and affecting Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking entry into the United Kingdom.
According to a revised fee schedule released by the Home Office, the new charges cut across nearly all immigration routes, including visit, student, work and settlement visas. The changes will apply to applications submitted both within and outside the UK.
Officials said the adjustments are part of a broader review of immigration costs, though the government has not issued a detailed justification for the across-the-board increases.
Nigeria remains one of the UK’s largest sources of visa applicants, with hundreds of thousands applying annually for study, work and tourism. The new fees are therefore expected to significantly affect prospective travellers and migrants from the country.
Under the updated structure, the cost of a short-term visit visa will rise from £127 to £135, while student visa fees increase from £524 to £558. Similarly, the fee for indefinite leave to remain climbs from £3,029 to £3,226.
Applicants seeking British citizenship through naturalisation will now pay £1,709, up from £1,605.
A Home Office spokesperson said, “These changes ensure that the immigration system is sustainably funded while continuing to support those who wish to visit, work, or study in the UK.”
In a notable exception, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been reduced from £1,214 to £1,000 — a rare cut amid widespread increases. Some visa categories, including the High Potential Individual visa and Tier 1 (Investor) visa, remain unchanged.
Breakdown of Key Fee Changes
Visit Visas
Short-term (6 months): £127 → £135
2-year visa: £475 → £506
5-year visa: £848 → £903
10-year visa: £1,059 → £1,128
Student Visas
Student (main & dependants): £524 → £558
Child student: £524 → £558
Work Visas
Skilled Worker (≤3 years): £769 → £819
Skilled Worker (>3 years): £1,519 → £1,618
Health and Care Visa (≤3 years): £304 → £324
Settlement
Indefinite Leave to Remain: £3,029 → £3,226
Citizenship
Naturalisation: £1,605 → £1,709
Child registration: £1,214 → £1,000 (reduced)
Immigration experts say the increase may place additional financial pressure on applicants, particularly students and low-income migrants, even as demand for UK visas remains high among Nigerians.
