UK Increases Visa Fees for Nigerians Traveling to Britain from April 9

Nigerians looking to visit or study in the United Kingdom will soon have to pay more as the UK government announces an increase in visa fees. The revised charges, set to take effect from April 9, 2025, affect a range of visa categories, including tourist, student, and skilled worker visas.

Under the new fee structure:

• A six-month tourist visa will increase by nearly 7%, rising from £115 to £127.

• A two-year visitor visa will now cost £475, up from £432.

• Five-year and ten-year visitor visas will be priced at £848 and £1,059, respectively.

• Student visa fees will rise by 10%, from £490 to £524.

• Transit visas will also be affected, with air passenger fees increasing from £35 to £39 and land traveler fees rising from £64 to £70.

• The Innovator Founder visa will now cost £1,274, up from £1,191.

• The Start-up visa will increase from £435 to £465.

• Global Talent visa fees for those requiring an approval letter will increase from £192 to £205, while those without an approval letter will now pay £766 instead of £716.

Additionally, fees for visa extensions, skilled worker visas, naturalization applications, and electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) will also see an upward revision. The Certificate of Sponsorship for workers will increase to £525, while Electronic Travel Authorization will now cost £16.

The UK government states that the visa fee adjustments are part of its broader immigration management strategy. These changes follow a series of policy shifts aimed at regulating migration and ensuring that public service costs are met through visa revenue.

The increase is expected to affect thousands of Nigerians, particularly students and business travelers. According to reports, in a recent 12-month period, over 34,000 Nigerian students were granted visas, accompanied by 31,898 dependents. Work visas also saw a significant number of dependents, with 8,972 Nigerian workers bringing 8,576 dependents along.

The full breakdown of the revised fees is available on the UK government’s official website. While standard visa fees are increasing, premium services such as expedited processing and priority applications remain unchanged.

Thus change follows broader global trends in migration policies, reflecting governments’ efforts to balance economic benefits with immigration control.