UK Visitor Visa Cost: Fees, Long-Stay Options & INR Guide

Key facts

• 6-month Standard Visitor fee: £135 (approx. USD 181)
• 2-year long-stay fee: £506
• 5-year long-stay fee: £903
• 10-year long-stay fee: £1,128
• Standard processing time: Approximately 3 weeks
• Maximum stay per visit: 6 months (all visa types)
• Refund on refusal: None — fee is non-refundable
• Fee source verified: 19 September 2026 (UK Home Office)

Overview

A UK Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for a stay of up to 6 months, approximately USD 181 at current rates. If you plan to visit the UK more than once, multi-entry long-stay options cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, and £1,128 for 10 years. Processing time is around 3 weeks. Fees are set by the UK Home Office and are payable in the currency of the country where you apply.

What is the UK visitor visa fee in 2026?

The UK government's visa regulations table sets the following fees for the Standard Visitor visa:

All four options allow multiple entries during the validity period. The key restriction is that you cannot stay for more than 6 consecutive months on any single visit, regardless of which visa you hold.

How much is the UK visa fee in Indian rupees?

The visa fee is charged in GBP and converted at the exchange rate applied by the payment processor on the day you pay. Because the GBP-INR rate moves daily, the rupee amount varies. As a working reference only: at an indicative rate of approximately INR 107 per pound (check a live rate before budgeting), the fees translate roughly as follows:

• £135 (6-month) — approximately INR 14,445
• £506 (2-year) — approximately INR 54,142
• £903 (5-year) — approximately INR 96,621
• £1,128 (10-year) — approximately INR 120,696

Always check the actual conversion on the UK Visas and Immigration payment portal at the time you submit your application. Do not rely on pre-calculated rupee figures published elsewhere, as they date quickly.

Are there any other fees to budget for?

The government visa fee is not the only cost. You should plan for:

• Biometric enrolment — fingerprints and a photograph are taken at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). A service fee is charged by the VAC operator (VFS Global in India). Check the current VFS fee on their India portal when booking.
• Document handling and courier — VFS charges separately for document return by courier. The amount depends on the service tier you choose.
• Priority or super-priority processing — if you need a faster decision than the standard 3-week processing time, premium services are available at an additional cost set by UKVI. Check current premium service fees on gov.uk.
• Translation and notarisation — documents not in English need certified translation. Costs vary by provider.
• Vistolane service fee — if you use Vistolane to prepare and review your application, a service fee of approximately USD 18.41 applies, separate from the government fee.

For a full breakdown of what to prepare, see the UK Standard Visitor visa for Indians: the step-by-step guide (2026).

Which visa length offers the best value?

The choice depends on how often you expect to travel to the UK.

• If you are making a single trip, the 6-month visa at £135 is the straightforward choice.
• If you plan 2 or more trips within 2 years, the 2-year visa at £506 costs less per trip than applying twice at £135 each time (2 x £135 = £270 versus £506 — so two single applications would actually be cheaper than the 2-year option if you only make two trips).
• For frequent travellers or those with family in the UK, the 5-year at £903 or 10-year at £1,128 offers significant per-trip savings and avoids repeated applications.
• Note that long-stay visas are granted at the Entry Clearance Officer's discretion. A strong travel history and clear ties to India improve the likelihood of a longer visa being approved.

What documents do you need to support the application?

The fee covers the application assessment. A weak file can still result in refusal with no refund. Standard supporting documents include:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond your intended travel dates
• Completed online application form (completed on gov.uk)
• Recent colour photograph meeting UK visa photo requirements
• Proof of financial means — bank statements covering the last 3–6 months
• Proof of accommodation in the UK (hotel bookings, invitation letter from host)
• Return flight itinerary or evidence of onward travel
• Proof of employment, business ownership or studentship in India
• Income tax returns and salary slips (typically last 3 months)
• If visiting family: sponsor's proof of UK status and invitation letter

For guidance on proving funds across multiple destinations, see Student Visa Proof of Funds: UK, Canada, Australia and Germany — the financial evidence principles apply to visitor applications as well.

Is the visa fee refundable if the application is refused?

No. The UK Home Office does not refund the visa fee if your application is refused. This makes document preparation important before you pay. If your application is refused, you will need to pay the full fee again on any subsequent application.

If you receive a refusal, read the refusal letter carefully — it sets out the specific reasons. See Visa Refusals: Read the Letter and Rebuild Your File for a structured approach to understanding the decision and strengthening a reapplication.

How does the UK visitor visa fee compare to other destinations?

For Indian passport holders, the UK at £135 (approximately USD 181) sits in the mid-to-high range for visitor visa fees. By comparison:

• Schengen Area visa — check the current fee on the relevant embassy's page
• Canada visitor visa — see our Canada visitor visa guide for Indians for current fees
• Australia Visitor visa (subclass 600) — see the Australia Visitor visa guide for Indians for the current AUD fee
• United States B1/B2 visa — a separate MRV fee structure applies; see US B1/B2 Visa Interview: Questions Asked and How to Prepare

The UK's long-stay multi-entry options (5-year and 10-year) have no direct equivalent in most other visa regimes for Indian nationals, which makes them attractive for frequent travellers despite the higher upfront cost.

How do you pay the UK visa fee from India?

• Complete the online application on the gov.uk visa portal.
• Pay the government fee online using a debit or credit card. International cards are accepted.
• After payment, book your biometric appointment at a VFS Global VAC in India.
• Pay the VFS service fee and any additional services (such as priority or courier) directly to VFS when booking your appointment or at the centre.

Payment of the government fee locks in the fee at the rate in effect on that date. If fees are revised after you pay, you are not liable for the difference — but equally, you cannot claim a refund if fees are later reduced.

For end-to-end application support and document preparation, visit the UK visa from India: application help page on Vistolane.

Questions, answered