LONDON / LAGOS — Nigerians planning to relocate, study, or visit the United Kingdom will face a steeper financial climb starting next month. The UK Home Office has confirmed a comprehensive hike in immigration and nationality fees, set to take effect on April 8, 2026.
The revised price list targets nearly every visa category, from short-term tourists to high-skilled workers and those seeking British citizenship. Nigeria consistently ranks as one of the top three countries for UK visa applications globally, making this policy shift particularly impactful for thousands of families and professionals.
Student and Work Visas Hit Hardest
For the “Japa” generation, the cost of entry is rising. Standard Student Visas will increase from £524 to £558, a change that also applies to all dependents.
In the labor market, Skilled Worker visas for stays longer than three years will now cost £1,618, up from £1,519. Even the Health and Care Visa, which had previously seen some protections from aggressive hikes, will see its over-three-year fee rise to £628.
The Path to Settlement and Citizenship
The most significant financial jumps are found in the residency and naturalization categories:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Applicants must now pay £3,226, an increase of nearly £200 from the previous £3,029.
- British Citizenship: Adult naturalization will now cost £1,709.
- Family Settlement: Bringing a dependent relative to the UK under settlement routes has climbed to a staggering £3,635.
A Rare Reprieve for Children
While the trend is overwhelmingly upward, the UK government has introduced a notable reduction in one category. The fee for registering a child as a British citizen has been slashed by over £200, dropping from £1,214 to £1,000.
Industry experts suggest this move is intended to align with recent legal pressures regarding the rights of children born in the UK or to settled parents, though all other child-related visa categories followed the general upward trend.
The “Unchanged” List
A small handful of high-tier routes remain unaffected for now:
- Tier 1 (Investor) Visa: Remains at £2,000.
- High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa: Remains at £880.
New Fee Breakdown: At a Glance
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