Increase in UAE-UK Visa Fees: Up to a 10% Hike Scheduled from April 2025

Increase in UAE-UK Visa Fees: Up to a 10% Hike Scheduled from April 2025

The United Kingdom continues to be a popular travel destination for UAE citizens and residents, despite rising costs. According to VisitBritain, the UK's national tourism agency, the country is projected to welcome 43.4 million international visits in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024. Spending in the UK is expected to reach £33.7 billion in 2025, up 7%, as per VisitBritain's projections.

Starting from April 9, 2025, visa costs for UAE residents traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, medical treatment, study, or other purposes will increase across multiple categories. Although exact fee amounts for each category were not fully listed, the overall updates include significant fee hikes effective from that date.

For instance, the updated fee for a 10-year visit visa is £1,059 (up from £963), a £96 increase. Similarly, the fee for a 5-year visit visa has risen to £848 (up from £771), a £77 increase. The fee for a 2-year visit visa now stands at £475 (up from £432), a £43 increase.

Moreover, a new Visa Integrity Fee of $250 will apply to most non-immigrant UK visas starting October 1, 2025. This fee covers categories such as student, visitor, and work visas and is an extra charge on top of the base visa fees.

Visa applicants in the UAE can still benefit from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which will cost £16 from April 9, 2025 (up from £10). Travellers can also retain their passports during visa processing by paying an extra fee.

The UK offers three visa processing options: Standard (3-4 weeks), Priority (within 5 working days at an additional cost), and Super Priority (within 24 hours for a higher fee).

VisitBritain is actively working to drive tourism despite these rising fees, as stated by CEO Patricia Yates. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, Senior Manager at Wisefox Tourism, noted that the UK remains a frequent destination for UAE-based parents visiting children studying in the UK, making it a year-round travel hotspot.

The exact average increase in fees across various visa categories is not explicitly stated. However, the introduction of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee represents a substantial single increase, and the general statement about fee hikes suggests notable rises in application costs across key categories.

This news was reported by Khaleej Times.

Sources: 1. Khaleej Times 2. VisitBritain 3. Gov.uk

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