Independent UK editorial on spouse, skilled worker, family, student visas, ILR, citizenship and EU Settled Status. Verified against gov.uk and Home Office guidance.
A UK Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for stays of up to 6 months, and visitors from eligible countries need a £20 electronic travel authorisation instead. A Skilled Worker visa costs £819 for up to 3 years from outside the UK, with a general salary threshold of £41,700, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 a year.
KEY FACTS
Costs, forms, documents and what happens after an application goes in.
The main routes into the UK and the rules for switching between them.
Proving immigration status and the path to settlement and citizenship.
Why applications fail and the routes to challenge a decision.
Route guides for the countries with the most UK visa applications.
DISCLAIMER
This page is editorial information about UK immigration. It is not legal advice. Fees and rules were correct at the last review date shown and change often; check GOV.UK before applying, and use a regulated immigration adviser for individual cases.
A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for stays of up to 6 months. Nationals of countries that do not need a visit visa need an electronic travel authorisation instead, which costs £20.
For applications made outside the UK, the standard processing time is 3 weeks for visit, study and work visas and 12 weeks for family visas. Times are counted in UK working days.
£1,035 a year for most applicants. Students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and applicants under 18 pay £776 a year. The surcharge is paid upfront for the length of the visa.
The general minimum is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation if that is higher. The application fee from outside the UK is £819 for up to 3 years and £1,618 for more than 3 years.
Most people on work routes must have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years. Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa holders can qualify after 3 years.
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