UK Increases Visa, Citizenship Fees for Nigerians, Others -

The government of the United Kingdom has announced an increase in visa and citizenship fees, with the new charges set to take effect from April 8, 2026.

The development will directly impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals planning to travel, study, work, or settle in the country.

The revised fee structure, released by the UK Home Office, shows that most visa categories have been adjusted upward.

This includes visit visas, student visas, work permits, and settlement applications. Nigeria, known as one of the top sources of UK visa applicants, is expected to feel the impact significantly.

Under the new rates, the cost of a short-term visit visa (up to six months) will increase from £127 to £135. Long-term visit visas have also been reviewed, with the two-year visa rising to £506, the five-year visa to £903, and the ten-year visa to £1,128.

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Student visa applicants will now pay £558, up from £524, while short-term English language study visas have also been increased.

For workers, the Skilled Worker visa will cost £819 for stays up to three years and £1,618 for longer durations. Health and Care visas and other work routes also recorded slight increases.

In the settlement category, the fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain has risen from £3,029 to £3,226. Similarly, the cost of naturalisation as a British citizen has increased to £1,709 from £1,605.

However, in a notable exception, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been reduced from £1,214 to £1,000.

The UK authorities noted that while most fees have increased, a few categories remain unchanged. The adjustments are part of ongoing efforts to review immigration costs.

The new fee regime is expected to place additional financial pressure on Nigerians seeking opportunities in the UK, as the cost of migration continues to rise globally.