UK Visa Fee Calculator 2025 — Total Cost Including IHS Health Surcharge
Applying for a UK visa can be expensive — the application fee is just the start. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) alone costs £1,035 per person per year for most visa types, often dwarfing the application fee itself. This calculator adds up every cost so you know exactly what to budget before applying.
Fees as of 2025 — visa fees change periodically, always confirm at gov.uk/visa-fees before applying. IHS: £1,035/year (most visa types), £776/year (Student visa). Visitor visas and ILR/naturalisation do not require IHS. Fees shown are for applications from outside the UK (entry clearance) — some inside-UK applications have different rates.
UK Visa Fees 2025 — Key Rates
| Visa type | Application fee | IHS rate/year |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | £769 | £1,035/person/year |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | £1,420 | £1,035/person/year |
| Family visa — initial (2.5 years) | £1,846 | £1,035/person/year |
| Student visa | £490 | £776/person/year |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | £298 | £1,035/person/year |
| Standard Visitor (up to 6 months) | £115 | None |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain | £2,885 | None |
| British Citizenship/Naturalisation | £1,500 | None |
The Immigration Health Surcharge — Why It Is So Expensive
The IHS was introduced in 2015 and has been increased significantly — from £200/year when introduced, to £624/year in 2022, to £1,035/year in January 2024. It is paid upfront for the full duration of the visa before a decision is even made on your application. For a family of four applying for 5-year Skilled Worker visas, the IHS alone comes to £20,700 — before any application fees.
The IHS entitles holders to use the NHS on the same basis as a settled resident — including free GP appointments, hospital treatment, and prescriptions (at the standard charge). Exemptions from the IHS include: those applying for certain humanitarian protection routes; some domestic workers; and dependants of some categories of overseas government workers.
Priority Services — Are They Worth It?
| Service | Cost (2025) | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | Included | 3–8 weeks (varies by visa type) |
| Priority service | £500 per application | 5 working days (UK only) |
| Super priority service | £800 per application (UK); £500 (overseas at some centres) | Next working day (UK only) |
Priority services are available for most visa types when applying from inside the UK. They are not available for all visa types from overseas. Priority and super priority services only guarantee a decision within the stated timeframe — they do not increase the likelihood of approval. If your application is refused, the priority fee is not refunded.
Other Costs to Budget For
- English language test — £150–£200 (IELTS, PTE, OET) for Skilled Worker and Family visas
- Tuberculosis (TB) test — £100–£200 if required (applicants from certain countries)
- Document translation — £30–£150 per document for certified translations
- Sponsor licence fee — if your employer is applying for a sponsor licence (£536 small employer, £1,476 large employer)
- Immigration adviser fees — £1,000–£5,000+ for complex applications
- NHS prescription charge certificate — if you want a prepayment certificate (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — employers can pay visa fees, IHS, and other immigration costs for sponsored workers. However, some employers make this a condition of employment repayable if you leave within a certain period — check your contract carefully. The IHS cannot be paid in instalments — it must be paid in full upfront when applying.
Yes — children applying as dependants pay the same IHS rate as adults (£1,035/year for most visas). There is no reduced rate for children under the standard IHS. Some specific routes have exemptions — check UKVI guidance for your specific visa category.
If your application is refused, UKVI should automatically refund your IHS. If your application is granted but you leave the UK before the visa expires, you can apply for a partial refund for the unused complete years remaining. Refunds are not available for partial years. Apply for refunds through the IHS refund portal at gov.uk.