How much does it cost for foreign passport holders to apply for a UK visa in 2023?

How much does it cost for foreign passport holders to apply for a UK visa.

After conducting thorough research, we can now provide our readers with comprehensive information regarding the fees for UK visas for foreign passport holders. Many individuals have been curious about the cost of a London visa, and we have answered that question as well. Additionally, we have compiled essential information on work permits, migration, and other related topics. Continue reading to access all of the necessary details.

 London Visa Cost and Types for Foreign Passport Holders

Foreign passport holders planning to travel to London have several visa options, including the UK Study Visa, UK Visit Visa, UK Join Family Visa, UK Work Visa, and UK Settlement Visa. Each of these visas has different specifications and application fees for foreign nationals.

• UK Visit Visa

The UK Visit Visa is for those who want to apply for a permit to travel to London for a holiday or to visit family and friends, for a business trip or meeting, or to get married. The Standard Visitor visa fee for the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey is $132 for a short-term visa of up to 6 months, with single or multiple entries. Long-term visas of up to 2 years cost $503, while those valid for 5 years cost $912. The visa fee for Transit visas is $49 for the Direct Airside Transit (DATV) travel category and $89 for visitor transit visas. The visa fee for crew members traveling to London is $89. Standard visitor visa applications take about six weeks to process in the applicant’s home country, after which the visa decision will be sent following their appointment at the UK embassy in their country of residence.

• UK Join Family Visa

The UK Join Family Visa is for those planning to travel to London to settle as the spouse, partner, or family member of a British citizen or someone based in London. The visa fee for Parents of children at school is $718, allowing them to stay up to 12 months. However, if applicants are joining their partner, parent, proposed civil partner, or child, the visa fee is $2,121. Dependent children under 21 can apply under “Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay” to the immigration rules for free. Family members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals are also exempt from visa fees under this category. The UK Join Family Visa takes around 12 weeks to process from the day the applicant attends their appointment at the visa application center in their home country.

• UK Work/Settlement Visa

The UK Work/Settlement Visa is for those applying to travel to London for a permit to work or invest in the UK. The visa fee for Tier 1 investors – principal applicants and dependents is $2,260, while the visa fee for a family of settled people is $1,422. The visa fee for skilled Workers and Health and Care visas whose certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less is $323 for work applications made outside the UK (also applicable in the Isle of Man). A Temporary Work visa, such as the Religious Work of the principal applicant and any dependents, attracts a visa fee of $320 per person. The standard fee for Work Visa for London ranges from $625 to $1,423, depending on the applicant’s circumstances. In addition to the visa fee, applicants must also pay the healthcare surcharge, usually around $624 per year. Applicants whose job type is among those on the Shortage occupation list for foreign nationals who want to work in the UK will pay the lower application fee.

• UK Settlement Visa and Fees

The cost of obtaining a UK settlement visa is $2121, which applies to those who are joining their partner, parent, proposed civil partner, or child, and also those coming from the European Community (EC) to the Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey, and Bailiwick of Guernsey. However, for those who fall into the category of Adult Dependent Relative, including those coming from the EC to the Isle of Man, the visa fee is higher at $4525.

Dependent children under 21 years of age can only apply under “Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay” to the immigration rules and do not need to pay a visa fee. Family reunions falling under Part 11 of Asylum, Immigration Rules (pre-flight dependent) are also exempted from paying visa fees in this visa category. However, for family reunions of other dependent relatives, the visa fee is $540 per person.

It’s worth noting that the quoted London visa fees are in pounds, not dollars. We’ve provided the conversion rate for your convenience, but we recommend using a real-time dollar rate calculator to stay up-to-date with the latest exchange rates in your local currency.

What Can Cause the Denial of UK Visa?

If you plan to travel to London, it’s possible that the UK embassy in your country may refuse to grant you a visa. One of the most common reasons for visa denials is missing documentation. It’s easy to overlook a required document, and the embassy may not provide a second chance to correct the mistake due to the high volume of applications they receive. This means that you would have to begin the application process again. Other factors that can lead to a visa denial include providing incorrect or mismatched information in your application, having insufficient financial resources to support your stay in the UK, not meeting the English language requirement, and submitting poorly organized documents.

About UK Fee Refund 

Similar to other visa application fees, the payment made for a London Visa cannot be refunded as it covers the processing costs of your application. Regardless of whether your application is approved, denied, or withdrawn, the fee will not be refunded. However, if you decide to reapply for a UK visa after an initial denial, you may be eligible for a refund of the previous application fee.

The Currency for UK Visa Fees Payment

It is important to note that the UK Immigration authorities require visa applicants to pay the fee in Pounds Sterling (GBP). This fee covers the administrative expenses incurred in processing the visa application. However, applicants can pay the visa fee in their local currency, based on the current exchange rate determined by the Home Office.

To summarize, a UK visa is necessary for entry into London for various purposes such as work, study, tourism, or to join family members. The fees for the visa depend on the purpose of the visit. The visa application must be submitted with all necessary documents, and the visa is usually stamped on the passport or provided as a separate document by a UK consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country. The visa authorizes worldwide citizens to enter, stay temporarily, or live permanently in the UK. It is also available for refugees, stateless persons, and those who require humanitarian protection or permission to stay.