UK to Raise Visa and Citizenship Fees for Nigerians from April

The United Kingdom has announced that most visa, residency, and citizenship application charges will increase from April 8, 2026, affecting Nigerian applicants and other foreign nationals. The updated fee schedule shows that almost all categories—ranging from short‑term visit visas to long‑term settlement and naturalisation—will cost more under the new rates.

For example, the standard short‑term visitor visa fee is set to climb from £127 to £135, and student visas are increasing from £524 to £558. Nigerians applying for indefinite leave to remain will now pay £3,226, up from £3,029, while those seeking British citizenship through naturalisation face a rise from £1,605 to £1,709.

One notable change is the reduced cost for registering a child as a British citizen, which drops from £1,214 to £1,000. Meanwhile, several categories—including investor and high‑potential individual visas—remain at their current fees.

Below are some of the updated costs that Nigerians may encounter:

Short‑term visit visa (up to 6 months): £135 (was £127)

Long‑term visit visa (2 years): £506 (was £475)

Student visa (main applicant): £558 (was £524)

Skilled worker visa (up to 3 years): £819 (was £769)

Indefinite leave to remain: £3,226 (was £3,029)

Naturalisation as British citizen: £1,709 (was £1,605)

Child citizenship registration: £1,000 (reduced from £1,214)


These updated fees are part of broader adjustments that aim to cover administrative costs and reflect changes in immigration policies. Nigerians planning travel, study, work, or settlement in the UK will need to factor these higher charges into their planning.