UK Increases Visa Fees for Students, Visitors

The fees for applying for a student visa from outside the United Kingdom have increased by £127 to £490, the UK government has announced.

The new visa application fees became effective on October 4, 2023, following legislation laid in the British Parliament on September 15, Erudera.com reports.

“The changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 to £115, while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 to £490, to equal the amount charged for in-country applications,” the UK Home Office said in a press release.

Those who want to extend or switch to a student visa while in the UK are also required to pay the same price (£490).

In July, the government announced its decision to increase fees for most work and visit visas by 15 percent, and the fees for priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship by at least 20 percent.

“Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system,” the Home Office said on September 15.

The same notes that some other changes include:

• Fees for visit visas for up to 6 months, 2,5 and 10 years.
• Most fees for entry clearance and specific applications to remain in the UK, including those for work and study.
• Health and care visa.
• Fees associated with certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for educational purposes.
• Fees applicable to the super-priority service, both for applications within and outside the country.
• Applications for British Citizenship through Registration and Naturalization.
• User Pays Visa Application service fee.

The UK is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. In 2021/22, the number of overseas students in the UK totalled 679,970. That was an increase from 605,130 the previous year.

Usually, the majority of students in the UK are from China, followed by India and Nigeria. In 2021/22, the three countries had the following number of students in the UK:

• China - 124,370 students
• India - 107,270 students
• Nigeria - 34,010 students

Most students enroll at the University College London and the University of Manchester.

Earlier this year, UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant said at a webinar that the UK should offer a more welcoming environment to international students to not lose the latter to competitors such as Australia, Canada and the US.

>> UK Universities Shift Focus to Int'l Students, Leaving Domestic Students With Fewer Chances