UK visa fee hike from April: 6-month visa to cost Rs 13,400 for Indians

The fee for a Standard UK Visitor visa - required for Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian nationals - has increased from ₹12,190 to ₹13,462

From April 1, 2025, if you're planning to visit the United Kingdom from India, your visa is going to cost more. The fee for a Standard Visitor visa — required for Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian nationals — has increased from £115 (approximately ₹12,190) to £127 (approximately ₹13,462). Long-term visitor visas have also seen an upward revision. UK visa fee hike from April: 6-month visa to cost Rs 14,000 for Indians, up from £432 (approximately ₹45,792).

 

The UK is also expanding its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which applies to visitors from visa-exempt countries. The ETA, which earlier cost £10 (approximately ₹1,060), now comes at £16 (approximately ₹1,696).

 

 

Visa fee changes from April 1, 2025

 

Here’s what’s changed:

 

Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months):

— Previous fee: £115 (₹12,190)  

— New fee: £127 (₹13,462)  

— Increase: £12 (₹1,272)

 

Long-term visitor visas:  

Two-year visa: £475 (₹50,350), up from £432 (₹45,792)  

Five-year visa: £848 (₹89,888), up from £771 (₹81,726)  

Ten-year visa: £1,059 (₹1,12,254), up from £963 (₹1,02,078)

 

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):  

— Previous fee: £10 (₹1,060)  

— New fee: £16 (₹1,696)  

— Increase: £6 (₹636)

 

Who uses long-term visitor visas?

 

A long-term Standard Visitor visa is for people who need to travel to the UK frequently. It’s available in 2, 5 or 10-year formats, with each stay limited to 6 months.

 

Common users include:

 

Family visitors — those visiting relatives in the UK multiple times  

Business travellers — attending recurring meetings or events  

Tourists — planning repeat holidays in the UK

 

Applicants must show a pattern of regular travel, stable finances, and strong ties to their home country. The visa can’t be used to live in the UK.

 

If you're from a visa-required country  

(such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria)

 

— You need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa  

— It costs £127 (₹13,462) for stays up to 6 months  

— Single or multiple-entry options depend on the officer’s decision  

— Apply online, then attend a visa centre for biometrics  

— You’ll need to provide documents like your passport, proof of funds, travel itinerary and accommodation details  

— Processing usually takes 3 weeks, sometimes longer during busy periods  

— An interview may be required

 

If you're from a visa-free country  

(such as the United States, EU countries, Australia, Japan)

 

— You must apply for an ETA before travelling  

— It costs £16 (₹1,696) and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires  

— You can visit multiple times, but each stay is capped at 6 months  

— Apply online or via mobile app — no biometrics or documents needed  

— Most ETAs are processed within 3 working days  

— No interview or appointment is involved  

— As of April 1, 2025, the ETA is already in place for Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan  

— More visa-exempt countries will be added throughout 2024 and 2025