What the official fee and unit-cost figures show—and the limits of calling the difference profit.
Rules and sources checked: 5 November 2026. General information; confirm the rules for your application date.
| Route | Fee | Published unit cost |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor, up to 6 months | £135 | £159 |
| Student | £558 | £176 |
| Skilled Worker overseas, up to 3 years | £819 | £153 |
| Settlement entry clearance | £2,064 | £639 |
| Indefinite leave to remain | £3,226 | £310 |
From the Home Office fee/unit-cost table dated 8 October 2026. The fee minus unit cost is not audited net profit. It does not establish the full cost or surplus of the immigration system, and IHS must be treated separately. In this table, the short visitor fee is lower than the published unit cost; describing every visa as having the same profit margin would be false.
Official sources: Transparency · Fees
Checked against the fee schedule effective 8 October 2026: Standard Visitor up to 6 months £135; 2 years £506; 5 years £903; 10 years £1,128. Partner/fiancé(e) entry clearance is £2,064; an in-UK family application is £1,407. Student is £558. Standard Skilled Worker entry clearance is £819 for sponsorship up to 3 years or £1,618 over 3 years. Immigration Salary List and Health and Care cases have different fees.
The IHS is normally £1,035 per year for adults, or £776 for students, their dependants and applicants under 18. It is based on permission length, not simply course or employment length, with part-years charged under the official half-year rules. Visitors do not pay it; an application from outside the UK for permission of 6 months or less is also exempt. Other exemptions exist.
A usual 33-month adult partner entry grant therefore costs £2,064 + £3,105 IHS = £5,169 before other costs. A usual 30-month adult partner extension or switch costs £1,407 + £2,587.50 IHS = £3,994.50 at today’s rates. Fees may change before a later application. Tests, translations, travel and optional VFS services are separate.
Our published service prices are in Thai baht and payment to us is by bank transfer only. Pound-to-baht conversions are estimates; the government and other providers determine their own payment amounts and exchange rates. Confirm your written service quote before transferring.
A refused visa application does not normally produce a refund of the application fee. If you cancel, whether that fee is refunded depends on how far processing has progressed and how you proved your identity. The IHS is different: it is normally refunded in full if the application is refused or withdrawn, usually automatically within 6 weeks of the decision.
VFS optional-service charges have VFS’s own cancellation terms. Our service fee is separate; see the written quote and our refund policy. Paying for preparation or priority processing never guarantees approval.
If refused, read the decision letter before making another application. It states whether you have a right of appeal or administrative review and the deadline. An overseas appeal, where available, is normally due within 28 days of receiving the decision. An eligible overseas administrative review is normally requested within 28 days and costs £80. A new application can affect a pending review. Get qualified advice promptly on which remedy applies.
Official sources: Cancel · Ihs Refunds · Appeal · Review
This guide summarises the linked official sources and cannot determine an individual application. For eligibility, exceptions, refusals or appeals, consult a suitably authorised adviser. UKVI makes the decision. Our administrative service fees are separate from government and third-party charges.
Fees · Service quote · All guides · Contact
Tell us what administrative help you need. Review the written scope, total and cancellation terms before paying.
