Planning to obtain a 5 – year UK visa? Understanding the costs involved is crucial. Whether you’re applying for a long – term visitor visa, a work visa, or a family – related visa that could potentially be valid for 5 years, the expenses can vary significantly based on the type of visa, your application location, and additional services you might require. This article will break down the costs associated with different 5 – year UK visas to help you budget effectively for your application.
Costs for 5 – Year Visitor Visas
Standard Visitor Visa (Long – Term)
Visa Application Fee
A 5 – year standard visitor visa, which allows you to visit the UK for tourism, business meetings, or to see family and friends over an extended period, has a set application fee. As of [current date], the fee for a 5 – year standard visitor visa is £655. This fee is paid directly to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as part of the application process. It’s important to note that this fee is non – refundable, regardless of whether your visa application is approved or not.
Additional Fees for Priority Services
If you’re in a hurry to get your visa, UKVI offers priority services. The priority service, which aims to speed up the visa decision – making process, comes at an extra cost. For a 5 – year visitor visa, the priority service fee is an additional £520. This means that if you choose the priority service, you’ll pay a total of £655 + £520 = £1175. The super – priority service, which is even faster, costs an extra £1,200 on top of the visa application fee. So, with super – priority service, the total cost for a 5 – year visitor visa would be £655+£1,200 = £1,855. However, not all visa application centers offer super – priority services, and it’s important to check availability in your area.
Biometric Information Fee
In most cases, when applying for a UK visa, you’ll need to provide biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a facial scan. This fee is usually included in the overall visa application fee for a 5 – year visitor visa. So, you don’t have to pay an additional amount specifically for biometric data collection. But in some rare cases, if there are issues with the initial data collection and you need to re – submit your biometrics, there may be a small additional charge, typically around £19.20.
Long – Term Study Visitor Visa (if applicable for 5 – year duration)
Visa Application Fee
For a long – term study visitor visa, if it’s valid for 5 years, the application fee is also £655, similar to the standard long – term visitor visa. This type of visa is for those who want to study in the UK for a course that lasts up to 11 months (in some cases) or for certain short – term study programs over a 5 – year period. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application, including the assessment of your eligibility by UKVI.
Course – Related Costs
In addition to the visa application fee, you may have to pay for the study course itself. The cost of the course can vary widely depending on the type of course, the educational institution, and the subject. For example, a short – term language course at a private language school in London may cost a few hundred pounds, while a more specialized professional development course at a renowned institution could cost several thousand pounds. Some courses may also require you to purchase textbooks, study materials, or pay for exam fees, which are additional costs to consider.
Accommodation and Living Expenses Estimates
While not directly part of the visa cost, when planning to study in the UK on a long – term study visitor visa, you need to factor in accommodation and living expenses. In London, accommodation can be quite expensive. A shared room in a student hostel may cost around £150 – £250 per week, while renting a small studio apartment could cost £300 – £500 per week or more. Outside of London, the costs are generally lower. For example, in a smaller city like Leeds, a shared room might cost £100 – £150 per week, and a studio apartment could be around £200 – £300 per week. Living expenses, including food, transportation, and other daily costs, can add up to around £300 – £500 per month, depending on your lifestyle.
Costs for 5 – Year Work Visas
Tier 2 (General) Work Visa (if applicable for 5 – year duration)
Sponsorship Licence Application Fee (for employers)
If you’re applying for a Tier 2 (General) work visa, your employer in the UK first needs to have a sponsorship licence. The application fee for a sponsorship licence depends on the size of the employer. For small and medium – sized enterprises (SMEs) and registered charities, the fee is £536. Larger companies need to pay £1,476. However, this is the employer’s cost and not directly borne by the applicant. But it’s an important part of the overall process as without a valid sponsorship licence, the employer cannot sponsor your work visa.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Allocation (no direct fee for applicant)
Once the employer has a sponsorship licence, they allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to you. There is no specific fee for the CoS allocation that the applicant has to pay. But the employer may factor in other costs associated with the sponsorship process, such as administrative costs for maintaining the sponsorship licence and ensuring compliance with UKVI regulations.
Visa Application Fee for the Applicant
The visa application fee for a Tier 2 (General) work visa, if it’s a 5 – year visa, is £1,033. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. In addition to this, there is an Immigration Skills Charge. For a 5 – year visa, if the employer is an SME or a registered charity, the Immigration Skills Charge is £364 per year of the visa. So, for a 5 – year visa, the employer would pay £364 x 5 = £1,820. For larger companies, the Immigration Skills Charge is £1,000 per year of the visa, which amounts to £1,000 x 5 = £5,000 for a 5 – year visa. Although the Immigration Skills Charge is paid by the employer, it’s an important aspect of the overall cost structure for a Tier 2 work visa application.
Health Surcharge
All applicants for Tier 2 work visas need to pay a health surcharge. The health surcharge for a 5 – year Tier 2 work visa is £624 per year. So, for a 5 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 5 = £3,120. This surcharge allows the visa holder to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as a UK resident.
Legal and Advisory Fees (Optional)
Many applicants choose to seek the help of immigration lawyers or advisors when applying for a Tier 2 work visa. The cost of immigration advice can vary. A simple consultation with an immigration advisor may cost around £100 – £200 per hour. For a full – service application, where the advisor helps with document preparation, form filling, and representing you in case of any issues, the fees can range from £1,000 to several thousand pounds. This is an optional cost, but it can be beneficial, especially if your application has complex elements.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa (if applicable for 5 – year duration)
Sponsorship Licence and CoS Allocation (similar to Tier 2 in terms of employer costs)
Similar to the Tier 2 visa, employers sponsoring Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visas need a sponsorship licence. The sponsorship licence application fee is the same as for Tier 2: £536 for SMEs and registered charities, and £1,476 for larger companies. There is no specific fee for CoS allocation that the applicant has to pay.
Visa Application Fee for the Worker
The visa application fee for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa, if it’s a 5 – year visa, is £335. This is a relatively lower application fee compared to some other work visas. However, if the applicant is applying from outside the UK, the fee may be different. For example, if applying from outside the UK, the fee for a Tier 5 visa is £244. But if you’re applying for a 5 – year visa from within the UK, it’s £335.
Health Surcharge (if applicable)
Depending on the nature of the Tier 5 work and the length of stay, the applicant may need to pay a health surcharge. If the Tier 5 visa is for a period that requires access to the NHS, the health surcharge would be applicable. Similar to the Tier 2 visa, the health surcharge is £624 per year. So, for a 5 – year Tier 5 visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 5 = £3,120 if eligible for NHS access.
Job – Specific Training or Certification Costs
For some Tier 5 work visas, especially those in specialized fields, you may need to obtain certain job – specific training or certifications. These costs can vary widely. For example, if you’re applying for a Tier 5 visa in a technical field and need to obtain a specific industry – recognized certification, the cost of the training and the exam could range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the complexity of the certification.
Costs for 5 – Year Family Visas
Spouse or Partner Visa (if applicable for 5 – year duration)
Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee for a spouse or partner visa, if it’s a 5 – year visa, is £1,523. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. The application fee covers the cost of processing your application, including the assessment of the genuineness of your relationship and your eligibility to join your partner in the UK.
Health Surcharge
Similar to work visas, spouse or partner visa applicants need to pay a health surcharge. The health surcharge for a 5 – year spouse or partner visa is £624 per year. So, for a 5 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 5 = £3,120. This allows the visa holder to access the NHS during their stay in the UK.
Costs of Proving Relationship and Financial Stability
To apply for a spouse or partner visa, you need to prove the genuineness of your relationship and your financial stability. This may involve costs such as obtaining official translations of documents (if they are in a language other than English), getting notarized copies of important documents like marriage certificates, and providing evidence of joint financial accounts or your income. The cost of document translation can vary, but on average, a page of translation may cost around £20 – £50. Notarization fees can also add up, with each document typically costing a few pounds to be notarized.
Immigration Advice and Legal Fees (Optional)
Given the complexity of spouse or partner visa applications, especially when it comes to proving the genuineness of the relationship, many applicants choose to seek legal advice. Immigration lawyers or advisors can help with document preparation, form filling, and representing you in case of any issues. The cost of such services can range from £1,000 to several thousand pounds, depending on the complexity of your case and the level of service provided.
Parent of a British Child Visa (if applicable for 5 – year duration)
Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee for a parent of a British child visa, if it’s a 5 – year visa, is also £1,523. This fee is paid by the applicant to UKVI. The application process involves demonstrating your relationship with the British child, your ability to take care of the child in the UK, and your financial means to support yourself and the child.
Health Surcharge
Just like other long – term visas, the health surcharge for a 5 – year parent of a British child visa is £624 per year. So, for a 5 – year visa, the applicant would pay £624 x 5 = £3,120. This ensures that the visa holder can access the NHS services during their stay in the UK.
Costs of Proving Custody and Financial Support
To be eligible for a parent of a British child visa, you need to prove your custody rights (if applicable) and your financial ability to support yourself and the child. This may involve obtaining court – issued custody orders (if there are any custody disputes), providing financial statements, and other relevant documents. The cost of obtaining legal documents related to custody, such as court – ordered documents, can vary depending on the complexity of the legal process. In some cases, you may need to hire a lawyer to assist with the custody – related documentation, which can add to the overall cost.
Conclusion
The cost of a 5 – year UK visa depends on the type of visa you’re applying for. Visitor visas, work visas, and family visas all have different fee structures. It’s essential to budget not only for the visa application fee but also for additional costs such as the health surcharge, priority service fees (if chosen), and any legal or advisory fees if you seek professional help. Additionally, for study and work – related visas, there may be course – related or job – specific costs. By understanding these costs in advance, you can plan your UK visa application more effectively and avoid any financial surprises along the way.
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