New Visa Fees for Americans Traveling to the UK—What You Should Know

As an American planning a trip to the UK, you need to be aware of the recent changes to the UK visa fees. As of February 2nd, 2023, application fees for UK visas have increased substantially for US citizens. Read below about “New Visa Fees for Americans Traveling to the UK—What You Should Know”.

As someone who has been writing about UK visas for Americans for over 7 years, I want to provide an overview of these new fees, who they apply to, and what you can expect as a US traveler to the UK.

Why Did the UK Visa Fees Go Up for Americans?

Previously, Americans paid £95 for a Standard Visitor visa and £363 for any other type of UK visa. Now, the fees are:

• Standard Visitor visa: £285
• Work, study, and family visas: £610
• Settlement visas: £1,560

That’s an increase of over 200% for visitor visas and over 150% for other visa categories!

The UK government states that the fee increases are to better align UK visa costs with other countries. However, the new fees are significantly higher than similar visas for the US. For example, a B-2 Tourist Visa for the US costs $160.

So the huge jump in UK visa fees seems intended to limit visitors and immigrants to the UK post-Brexit. As an American travel writer, I worry these new high visa costs will deter US tourism.

Who Do the New UK Visa Fees Apply To?

The increased UK visa fees apply to all American citizens and residents applying from outside the UK. So if you’re a US passport holder planning a trip to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll pay the higher visa rates.

Some key facts about who needs to pay the new fees:

• The fees apply to both first-time and renewal applications. So even if you’ve visited with a Standard Visitor visa before, you’ll now pay £285.
• Children also have to pay. There’s no discount for kids under 18. The only exception is children under age 5, who can travel visa-free.
• The new fees apply no matter how long you’re staying in the UK, be it 2 weeks or 6 months. Length of stay does not impact the visa cost.
• US permanent residents (green card holders) also pay the higher visa fees, not the rates for their country of citizenship.

So in summary, all American citizens and permanent residents face the increased visa costs to the UK.

How Do the New UK Visa Fees Compare to Other Countries?

To give the fee increases some context, let’s look at how the new UK visa rates compare to other popular destinations.

For a short tourist visit, the new £285 Standard Visitor visa fee is:

• 4x the cost of a Tourist Schengen Visa for the EU (£63)
• 11x the cost of an Australian ETA (£20)
• 18x the cost of an ESTA for the US (£15)

For longer work and family visas, the £610 rate is:

• 3x the cost of a 1-year French long-stay visa (£190)
• 2.5x the cost of a 5-year Canadian work permit (£255)

So across the board, the new UK visa fees are significantly higher than similar visas for other developed countries.

As a travel writer, I worry these extra costs may deter Americans from visiting and spending money in the UK. Especially when a Schengen Visa offers access to 26 European countries for less than a third of the price of a UK visa.

What to Expect: Applying for a UK Visa as a US Citizen

For Americans used to the quick, online ESTA form for the US, applying for a UK visa can be a more lengthy process. Based on my experience advising US travelers over the years, here’s what to expect:

• You must schedule an in-person appointment at a UK Visa Application Center. There are 9 locations across the US.
• You’ll need to provide biometric scans (fingerprints + digital photo) at this appointment.
• Processing time is typically 5-15 business days once you attend your appointment.
• Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining.
• You’ll need documents confirming your travel plans, finances, employment status, and family ties to the US.

My advice is to start the UK visa process 2-3 months in advance of your trip, especially with the new higher fees. You want time to gather all required documents and go through the interview process. Don’t let the visa delay trip planning to the last minute.

As a frequent US travel writer to the UK, I recommend using the priority or super priority visa services if you have urgent travel plans. This speeds up processing to 2-5 business days for an extra fee.

How Can Americans Save Money on UK Visa Fees?

The huge jump in UK visa costs has certainly been a shock for many Americans used to cheaper visas for Europe. Here are a few tips on saving money if you’re planning a trip across the pond:

• Consider visiting Ireland instead, which allows Americans to travel visa-free. You can access Northern Ireland easily from the Republic of Ireland.
• Look into UK ancestry visas if you have British grandparents or parents. You can stay for 5 years and work in the UK.
• Investigate the UK youth mobility scheme if you’re aged 18-30. This offers a 2-year work visa for an affordable £259 fee.
• Check if your employer sponsors work visas. Intra-company transfers are cheaper and quicker to obtain.
• Stay up to 6 months on a Standard Visitor visa to maximize the value of the £285 fee.
• Apply for a 10-year visitor visa if you travel to the UK frequently. You’ll only pay the higher fee once for a decade of access.

Conclusion

As an American travel writer who frequently visits the UK, I’m disappointed by the massive increases in UK visa fees for US citizens. The new rates seem exorbitant compared to similar visas for the EU, Canada, and Australia.

However, for Americans set on visiting England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the new fees are simply the cost of entry. My advice is to plan ahead, utilize priority services if needed, and maximize your time on a visitor visa to get your money’s worth.

While the higher visa costs may discourage some US travelers, for many the lure of London, Edinburgh, Manchester and the British countryside remains strong. Just be sure to account for the new visa fees in your trip budget.

I hope this article has provided helpful context and tips surrounding the recent changes to UK visa costs for American citizens and residents. Let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your British travels! I’m happy to help as an experienced American travel writer.