How much is a UK Visitor Visa in 2026?

A Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) costs £115. Long-term visitor visas cost £400 (2 years), £771 (5 years), or £963 (10 years). These fees are paid when you submit your online application.

Do visitors pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

No. Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. However, visitors are not entitled to free NHS treatment (except emergency treatment). You should have travel insurance.

Is there a priority service for Visitor Visas?

Yes. Priority and super priority services are available in many countries. Priority typically costs an additional £250-500 and delivers a decision in 5 working days. Super priority costs more and delivers next-day decisions.

Can I get a refund if my Visitor Visa is refused?

No. The visa application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused. You can reapply and pay the fee again.

Visitor Visa Cost UK 2026

The UK Visitor Visa is one of the cheaper UK visas. The standard 6-month visa costs £115, and visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Long-term visitor visas offer better value for frequent travellers. This guide breaks down all costs.

Visa Application Fees

The Standard Visitor Visa fees in 2026 are:

6-month Standard Visitor Visa: £115
2-year long-term Visitor Visa: £400
5-year long-term Visitor Visa: £771
10-year long-term Visitor Visa: £963

Long-term visitor visas allow multiple entries over the stated period. Each visit must not exceed 6 months. They are good value if you visit the UK regularly — for example, a 2-year visa costs £400 compared to £115 x 4 (£460) for four separate 6-month visas.

What You Do Not Pay

Immigration Health Surcharge: Not required for visitors.
Biometric enrolment: Included in the visa fee (you pay at the visa application centre as part of the process).

Compare this to other visa types on our UK visa fees guide. For example, a Skilled Worker visa costs significantly more when you include the IHS.

Priority Processing Fees

Priority (5 working days): Additional fee varies by country (typically £250-500)
Super priority (next working day): Additional fee varies (typically £800-1,000)

Availability depends on your country and the time of year. During busy periods, priority slots may sell out. Check with your local visa application centre for current availability and pricing. See our processing time guide for more details.

Other Costs to Consider

Travel insurance: Recommended, as visitors are not covered by the NHS for most treatments.
Document preparation: Translation and notarisation costs if your documents are not in English.
TB test: Required for some nationalities. Costs vary by country. See our TB test guide.
Courier fees: Some visa application centres charge for passport return by courier.

Refunds

The visa application fee is non-refundable. If your application is refused, you do not get the fee back. If you decide not to attend your biometric appointment, the fee is still not refunded. Make sure your application is strong before submitting — see our financial evidence guide and refusal reasons guide.

Next Steps

Related guides:

For official information, see the GOV.UK Standard Visitor visa page and the GOV.UK visa fees table.