The United Kingdom government has announced a significant increase in visa, residency, and citizenship application fees, effective from April 8, 2026. This development will impact thousands of international applicants, including Nigerians who consistently rank among the highest applicants for UK visas.
According to the updated fee structure released by the UK Home Office, the increase cuts across almost all visa categories, including visit, study, work, and settlement applications. For instance, the standard short-term visit visa will rise from £127 to £135, while student visa fees will increase from £524 to £558.
Applicants seeking permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain) will now pay £3,226, while British citizenship by naturalisation will increase to £1,709.
Overall, most visa categories are expected to increase by approximately 6–7%, as the UK government aims to make its immigration system more financially sustainable and reduce reliance on public funding.
For Nigerian travellers, students, and professionals, this means higher upfront costs when planning relocation or short-term visits to the UK. It is therefore advisable for applicants to plan early and budget accordingly to avoid last-minute financial strain.
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