Japa: UK slams Nigerians with new visa fees

By Oluwapelumi Olusanjo

The United Kingdom Home Office has announced a comprehensive increase in visa, residency, and citizenship fees, a move expected to significantly affect Nigerians and other foreign nationals planning to travel, study, work, or settle in the United Kingdom.

The revised fee structure, which takes effect from April 8, 2026, cuts across nearly all immigration categories. This includes visit visas, student visas, work permits, settlement applications, travel documents, and naturalisation processes.

Under the new pricing, short-term visit visas (valid for up to six months) will rise from £127 to £135. Long-term visit visas also see notable increases, with the two-year visa moving from £475 to £506, the five-year visa from £848 to £903, and the ten-year visa climbing to £1,128 from £1,059.

Transit visas are not exempt, as the direct airside transit visa increases to £41.50, while the landside transit visa now costs £74.50.

Student and study-related visas

For international students, including applicants from Nigeria, the cost of a standard student visa has risen from £524 to £558. The same fee applies to child student visas, while short-term English language study visas (6–11 months) increase from £214 to £228.

Given the UK’s popularity among Nigerian students, this adjustment is expected to impact thousands seeking admission into British universities each year.

Work visa adjustments

The Home Office also raised fees across multiple work visa categories. Skilled Worker visas now cost £819 for stays up to three years and £1,618 for longer durations, up from £769 and £1,519 respectively.

Applicants under the Immigration Salary List category will now pay £628 (up to three years) and £1,235 (over three years). Health and Care visas, often used by Nigerian healthcare professionals, have also increased to £324 and £628 depending on duration.

Other categories affected include:

• Innovator Founder visa: now £1,357
• Start-up visa: now £495
• Graduate Route visa: now £937
• Scale-up visa: now £937
• Temporary work visas: now £340

However, a few categories remain unchanged, such as the High Potential Individual visa, which stays at £880.

Settlement and residency fees

The cost of permanent residency has also increased. Indefinite leave to remain now costs £3,226, up from £3,029. Other settlement-related fees have also risen, including:

• Standard route to settlement: £2,064
• Dependant relative route: £3,635
• Visitor extension (in-country): £1,172

These increases are expected to have a major impact on long-term migrants aiming to build permanent lives in the UK.

Citizenship and nationality costs

Applicants seeking British citizenship will now pay £1,709 for naturalisation, up from £1,605. Adult registration fees have also increased to £1,540.

In a rare exception, the Home Office reduced the fee for registering a child as a British citizen from £1,214 to £1,000, offering slight relief for families.

Other nationality-related services, including renunciation and status letters, have also seen moderate increases.

Impact on Nigerians

The changes are particularly significant for Nigerians, who remain among the largest groups applying for UK visas annually. From students seeking quality education to professionals pursuing career opportunities and families aiming for relocation, the financial implications are wide-reaching.

With the rising cost of living in Nigeria and fluctuating exchange rates, the new visa fees may further strain prospective applicants already grappling with high conversion rates between the naira and the British pound.

Analysts say the increase could discourage some applicants or push others to explore alternative destinations with more affordable immigration processes.

However, despite the higher costs, the UK is expected to remain a top choice for Nigerians due to its education system, job opportunities, and established diaspora community.

As the April implementation date approaches, prospective applicants are being advised to review the new fee structure carefully and plan accordingly to avoid last-minute surprises.