The UK Standard Visitor visa fee rose to £135 in April 2026. Hike Visa builds a complete, honest file — funds, itinerary, and ties to India — and books your biometrics right here at the Chandigarh VFS centre.
What changed this year
Figures per UKVI's April 2026 fee schedule and latest Home Office immigration statistics. Confirmed current as of this page's last review.
From 8 April 2026, the UK Standard Visitor visa fee rose from £127 to £135 for a standard 6-month visa. Long-term multi-entry options moved too — the 2-year visa is now £506, the 5-year £903, and the 10-year £1,128. It's your submission date that decides which fee applies, not when you started preparing your documents.
One thing that hasn't changed: Standard Visitor visa applicants don't pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at all — that charge only applies to visas issued for stays longer than 6 months, which a visitor visa never is. This is one of the clearest cost differences between a visitor visa and a UK study or work visa.
Home Office statistics for the year ending March 2026 show India submitted more UK visitor visa applications than any other country — 648,802 in total — with an approval rate of roughly 82%. The most common reasons for the remaining refusals are insufficient financial evidence and weak documented ties to India, both of which are exactly what a well-prepared file addresses.
Note: UKVI reviews visa fees on a rolling basis and can adjust them with short notice. We confirm the live fee for your application before you pay.
£135 applies to any 6-month Standard Visitor application submitted on or after 8 April 2026.
The Immigration Health Surcharge doesn't apply — visitor visas are always 6 months or under.
Roughly 1 in 5 applications are refused, mostly over funds evidence and weak ties — both fixable in preparation.
Biometrics can be given locally — no need to travel to Delhi for your appointment.
+£500 for a 5-working-day decision, or +£1,000 for next-working-day, on top of the standard fee.
UKVI's core test is simple to state, harder to evidence well: are you a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of your stay?
Tourism, visiting family or friends, short business meetings, or private medical treatment — not work or settlement.
Your travel document must be valid for your intended stay and have at least one blank page for the visa.
Enough to cover your entire trip and return journey without working or claiming public funds — and a credible paper trail behind it.
Employment, business, property, or family circumstances that support your intention to leave the UK on time.
Minors can apply with appropriate parental or guardian consent and travel arrangements.
This includes freelance or remote work for non-UK clients while physically present in the UK — not permitted on this visa.
One visa type, four validity options — the right one depends on how often you plan to visit.
The most common choice for first-time applicants. Multiple entries allowed within the 6-month window, up to 6 months stay per visit.
£506. Ideal if you expect to visit the UK more than once or twice over two years — family visits or recurring business trips.
£903. Cost-effective for those visiting family in the UK annually or more, avoiding repeat applications and fees.
£1,128. The lowest per-visit cost if you're confident you'll travel to the UK regularly over the next decade — note it's non-refundable if plans change.
Same visa category, strengthened with a letter of invitation, proof of relationship, and your host's UK immigration status.
Meetings, conferences, and negotiations are permitted — not employment. A company invitation letter strengthens the file.
The exact list depends on your purpose of travel. This is the baseline set we prepare for every applicant.
Valid passport with at least one blank page, plus any previous passports held.
Digital photograph meeting UKVI's specifications.
Cover letter explaining your purpose of travel, itinerary, and intended return date.
Letter of invitation, if visiting family or friends, with their status and accommodation details.
Travel and accommodation plans, including flight and hotel bookings where available.
Bank statements for the last six months showing consistent, explainable funds.
Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last two to three years, where applicable.
Employment or business proof, such as a leave letter, salary slips, or business registration documents.
Proof of ties to India, such as property documents or family circumstances supporting your return.
Biometrics, given at your nearest VFS Global centre — Chandigarh has its own local centre.
Note: Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to any Standard Visitor visa, regardless of validity length. Priority service fees are refundable only if UKVI misses its own timeline — the standard visa fee never is.
Good to know: the Home Office sets its own INR exchange rate quarterly, separate from the market rate — so the rupee figure can shift even when the pound fee doesn't. We confirm the exact payable amount when you apply.
From document collection to visa stamp, here's how a Hike Visa file moves.
We establish whether a 6-month, 2-year, 5-year, or 10-year visa fits your travel pattern best.
We assemble financial proof, ITRs, employment documents, and invitation letters that address UKVI's genuine-visitor test directly.
We file your application on the UKVI portal at the correct current fee for your chosen validity.
We book your appointment at the local VFS Global centre — no need to travel to Delhi.
Standard decisions take around 3 weeks. Once approved, we brief you on entry requirements and your visa's exact validity dates.
The Standard Visitor visa fee is £135 for a 6-month visa, for applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026 (up from £127). Long-term options cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, and £1,128 for 10 years. There's no Immigration Health Surcharge on any of these.
Standard processing takes around 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority service (+£500) targets a decision within 5 working days, and Super Priority (+£1,000) targets the next working day, subject to availability.
No. The Standard Visitor visa does not permit any paid or unpaid work, including freelance work for clients outside the UK while you're physically present there. A separate work visa is required for that.
A 6-month visa suits a single or occasional trip. If you expect to visit more than once every year or two, a 2, 5, or 10-year visa works out cheaper per visit — but the fee is non-refundable if your travel plans change, so match it to genuine, expected frequency.
Generally no. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances, such as a medical emergency. You're expected to leave the UK before your authorized stay ends.
Around 82% for the year ending March 2026, per Home Office statistics — India also submits more UK visitor visa applications than any other country. Most refusals cite insufficient financial evidence or weak ties to India, both addressable with careful preparation.
No, and the UK government specifically advises against booking non-refundable travel until your visa is approved. A clear travel plan strengthens your application, but confirmed bookings aren't required.
Tell us your purpose of travel, planned dates, and current documents. We'll tell you plainly where you stand — funds gap, ties to India, and realistic timeline — before you spend a rupee.
No charge. No obligation. Just honest advice.
