The UK government has officially revised visa fees for international students and their dependents, with the new UK Student Visa Fees effective from 9 April 2025. These changes are part of broader immigration policy adjustments and come at a time of renewed global interest in studying in the UK.
Here’s a breakdown of the updated UK visa fees:
- Student Visa (Main Applicant and Dependents):
£524 (up from £490) - Child Student Visa:
£524 (up from £490) - Short-term English Language Visa (6–11 months):
£214 (up from £200)
This adjustment represents a £34 increase for standard student routes and a £14 increase for short-term English language visas. Students planning to study in the UK from mid-2025 should factor these changes into their budgets.
Surge in Student Visa Applications
Despite the fee hike, recent data suggests a strong resurgence in interest among international students:
- January 2025:
28,700 sponsored study visa applications were submitted. This figure marks a 13% increase compared to January 2024 and a 7% rise over January 2023. - December 2024:
The number of visas issued to international students saw a 169% month-on-month surge, the largest spike since July 2022.
Analysts suggest that this renewed interest could be linked to broader global education trends and recent policy clarifications by the UK government, making the UK an increasingly attractive destination for higher education.
Impact of Dependent Visa Restrictions
In January 2024, the UK introduced new restrictions on dependent visas, allowing only certain international students those pursuing postgraduate research programs or those on government-funded scholarships to bring family members with them.
The effects have been dramatic:
- January 2025:
2,300 dependent visa applications were submitted. - January 2024:
3,400 applications. - January 2023:
A much higher 17,500 applications.
The steep decline has financial implications for many UK universities that have traditionally relied on the additional revenue generated by international students and their accompanying family members.
Looking Ahead
The UK continues to refine its immigration policies to balance attracting top global talent with managing overall migration numbers. While the increase in visa fees could present additional challenges for prospective students, the surge in applications suggests that demand for a British education remains strong.
International students planning to study in the UK should stay informed about policy updates, plan for increased costs, and consult trusted sources for the latest visa information.
For the official update on visa fees and policies, visit the UK Home Office.