UK Visa Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge 2026: Latest Changes for Indian Applicants

UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) change periodically, and increases have a direct impact on the total cost of applying for a UK visa from India. Understanding the current fees and how the IHS is calculated helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

What Are UK Visa Fees?

UK visa application fees are set by the Home Office and vary by visa category — visitor, student, skilled worker, family, settlement, etc. They are paid in addition to the IHS (for longer-stay visas) and any priority processing fees.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

IHS is a charge paid by most non-EEA nationals applying for a UK visa lasting more than 6 months. It gives visa holders access to the National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as UK residents. It is paid upfront for the full duration of the visa.

Who Pays IHS

• Skilled Worker visa holders
• Student visa holders
• Family visa applicants
• Most long-term work, study, and family visas

Who Does Not Pay IHS

• Short-term visitors (under 6 months)
• Applicants for certain visa categories (e.g., short-term study, some work routes under 6 months)
• Applicants already exempt under specific provisions

Recent Fee and IHS Changes (Applicable for 2026 Planning)

The UK government has raised visa fees and the IHS in recent years. Key points for Indian applicants:

IHS Rate

The IHS is charged per year of visa validity. The rate for most applicants has been increased to approximately £1,035 per year (previously £624). The rate for student visas and applicants under 18 is lower — approximately £776 per year (previously £470). These are recent official rates; confirm the current figure before applying.
Example calculation (Skilled Worker, 3-year visa):

• IHS: £1,035 x 3 years = £3,105
• Plus the visa application fee

Example (Student, 2-year visa):

• IHS: £776 x 2 years = £1,552
• Plus the student visa application fee

Visa Application Fees

Visa fees were also increased. Examples of the direction of change (confirm current official amounts):

• Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less): Increased to approximately £827 (from £719)
• Skilled Worker visa (over 3 years): Approximately £1,636
• Student visa: Approximately £524 (from £490)
• Visit visa (6 months): Approximately £115
• Priority/priority services: Additional fees for faster processing

These figures reflect recent increases and are illustrative. Always check the official GOV.UK fee tables for the current amounts.

How the Total Cost Adds Up for an Indian Applicant

For a Skilled Worker with a 3-year visa:

• Visa application fee: ~£827
• IHS: ~£3,105
• Priority service (optional): ~£500
• Total: ~£4,400+ (before other costs like IELTS, TB test, translations, and the immigration skills charge that employers may pay)

For a Student on a 2-year visa:

• Visa application fee: ~£524
• IHS: ~£1,552
• Total: ~£2,076

Steps to Budget and Apply

1. Use the official UKVI fee finder to get the exact fee for your category
2. Calculate IHS using the official IHS calculator
3. Factor in supporting costs (language test, TB test, documents, travel)
4. Apply online through GOV.UK and pay fees in the required currency
5. Keep payment receipts — you may need them for the appointment and refunds

Refunds of IHS

• If your visa is refused, you may be entitled to a full IHS refund
• If your visa is approved for less time than applied, you get a partial refund
• If you withdraw your application before decision, a refund may apply
• Refunds are processed automatically in many cases but can take several weeks

Common Mistakes

1. Using outdated fee figures. Fees change; always check GOV.UK.
2. Underpaying the IHS. An incorrect IHS amount causes application delays or refusal.
3. Ignoring exchange rate fluctuations. The pound-rupee rate affects the rupee cost.
4. Not budgeting for supporting costs. Language tests, TB tests, and priority fees add up.
5. Assuming priority is always available. Priority slots depend on capacity.

Official References

• UK visa and immigration fees: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/visa-and-immigration-fees
• IHS guidance: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
• IHS calculator: https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/

UK visa fees and the IHS change periodically. Always confirm the current rates on the official GOV.UK website before budgeting or applying.