Visa avgiftsuppskattare för Storbritannien

The UK Visa Fee Estimator calculates the total cost of applying for a United Kingdom visa, combining the base application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), optional priority or super-priority processing fees, and dependent application costs. UK immigration costs have increased dramatically in recent years, with the government using fee policy as both a revenue mechanism and a demand management tool. As of October 2023, the IHS alone costs £1,035 per year for most adult applicants — a charge that must be paid in full upfront for the entire visa duration before the application can be submitted. The UK operates a points-based immigration system introduced in its current form in December 2020, following Britain's exit from the European Union. The system replaced the previous Tier-based structure with named visa routes: Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2), Student (formerly Tier 4), Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Graduate Route, Family visas, and various temporary routes. Each visa category carries its own application fee schedule, which is reviewed and typically increased annually by the Home Office. Beyond the headline application fee, the true cost of UK immigration is significantly higher than many applicants expect. The IHS provides access to the National Health Service during the visa holder's stay, but it is a separate and substantial charge on top of the visa fee. Priority processing (typically 5 working days) and super-priority processing (next working day, where available) carry premium fees that can add hundreds or thousands of pounds. For families, each dependent — spouse and each child — must pay their own application fee and IHS, which can multiply the total cost by three, four, or five times the individual amount. Understanding the full cost breakdown is essential for financial planning, particularly for applicants from developing countries where UK visa costs may represent several months of local salary. Employers sponsoring Skilled Worker visa holders also bear significant costs, including the Immigration Skills Charge (£364-£1,000 per year depending on company size), Certificate of Sponsorship fees, and potentially the applicant's visa fees as part of relocation packages.

1. 1Step 1 — Select Visa Category: Choose from the available UK visa routes — Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Student, Graduate, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Family (spouse/partner/parent), Standard Visitor, Youth Mobility Scheme, or other specialized routes. Each category has a distinct fee structure, and some categories (such as Health and Care Worker) have reduced fees as a government incentive for critical occupations.
2. 2Step 2 — Determine Visa Duration: Enter the length of visa you are applying for. Most work visas are issued for up to 5 years, student visas match the course duration plus a short buffer period, and visitor visas are typically 6 months. The duration directly affects the IHS calculation, which is charged per year (or part-year). A 3-year Skilled Worker visa requires 3 full years of IHS payment upfront, totaling £3,105 for the surcharge alone.
3. 3Step 3 — Check for Fee Reductions or Exemptions: Certain applicants qualify for reduced fees or IHS exemptions. Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependents are exempt from the IHS. Applicants from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements may have reduced IHS obligations. Some visa categories have lower application fees for applicants whose occupations appear on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), which reduces the fee from £1,423 to £625 for a visa over 3 years.
4. 4Step 4 — Add Priority Processing if Desired: Standard processing times vary from 3 weeks (outside UK) to 8 weeks (inside UK) depending on the visa type and processing center workload. Priority processing reduces this to approximately 5 working days for an additional £500 from most countries. Super-priority processing (inside UK only) provides a next-working-day decision for £1,000. Not all visa categories or application centers offer expedited processing.
5. 5Step 5 — Calculate Dependent Costs: For each dependent (spouse, partner, or child under 18), add their individual application fee plus their IHS. Dependent application fees are generally the same as the main applicant's fee. Dependent IHS rates match the main applicant's rate, except children under 18 pay the discounted student rate (£776/year). A family of four applying for a 5-year Skilled Worker visa could face IHS charges alone of £20,700.
6. 6Step 6 — Sum All Components: The calculator aggregates the main applicant's application fee, their total IHS payment (annual rate multiplied by visa duration in years, rounded up), any priority processing fee, plus the same breakdown for each dependent. The result is the total upfront cost that must be available before the visa application can be submitted.
7. 7Step 7 — Consider Additional Employer and Ancillary Costs: While not part of the visa fee itself, applicants should budget for related costs: the English language test fee (£150-£200 for IELTS), tuberculosis test certificate (£65-£150 depending on country), document translation and notarization, biometric enrollment fees at visa application centers (£55-£100), and courier/return passport delivery. Employers must also pay the Immigration Skills Charge (£364/year for small businesses, £1,000/year for large businesses) and the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£239 per worker).