How much does a visa to travel to the UK cost?

All UK visa applications are subject to a compulsory fee. These fees cover the administrative costs of examining and processing applications. Fees vary according to the type of visa requested, the length of stay and the applicant’s country of residence.

For the year 2025, here are some indicative examples:

Visitor Visa	Visa fees
Short-stay tourist visa for up to 6 months	£ 115
Long-term visitor visa (2 years)	£ 400
Long-term visitor visa (5 years)	£ 771
Long-term visitor visa (10 years)	£ 963

Table of visa fees for visitor visas

Transit visa	Visa fees
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for passengers staying in international zones	£ 39
Visitor in Transit Visa: for passengers who have to pass through border control	£ 64

These visas allow a maximum stay of 48 hours in the UK.

Student visa fees for the United Kingdom

International students wishing to study in the UK must obtain a student visa.

Short-term student visa	Visa fees
Visa application fee	£ 524
Immigration Health Surcharge per year	£ 776

Payment of the IHS is compulsory and allows access to the National Health Service for the duration of the stay.

Can UK visa fees be paid in local currency?

Visa fees are set in pounds sterling (£). However, payment can usually be made in the local currency of the country of residence, based on the exchange rate applied by the British government. This rate is updated regularly and is automatically applied when you pay online.