One of the first questions anyone applying for a UK Spouse Visa asks is how much it will cost. The answer is more involved than a single number — there are several separate fees, paid at different stages, and the total can come as a surprise if you have not planned ahead. This guide breaks down every cost you need to budget for in 2026, using the current fees that came into effect on 8 April 2026.
The visa application fee
The government fee for a UK Spouse Visa depends on where you are applying from.
If you are applying from outside the UK — which applies to most first-time applicants — the fee is currently £2,064. This is paid when you submit the online application and is non-refundable if the application is refused.
If you are already in the UK and applying to extend your stay on the FLR(M) route, the fee is £1,407. Again, this is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
These fees were last increased on 8 April 2026. The Home Office can and does increase fees with relatively little notice — always confirm the current amount on gov.uk before submitting any payment.
The Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a separate fee paid on top of the application fee. It gives your partner access to the National Health Service during their time in the UK and must be paid upfront for the full duration of the visa at the time of application — it cannot be paid in instalments.
The current IHS rate is £1,035 per person per year. For a 33-month initial spouse visa granted from outside the UK, the total IHS payment is £3,105. For a 30-month FLR(M) extension made from within the UK, the total IHS payment is £2,587.50.
The IHS is calculated automatically during the online application process — you do not need to work out the figure yourself. Each dependant child included in the application must also pay their own IHS, calculated at the same rate for the duration of their visa.
What the two main fees cost together
For a first-time applicant applying from outside the UK, the combined upfront cost of the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge for a 33-month visa is approximately £5,169. This is before any additional costs such as legal fees, the English language test, document translations, or any priority service.
Biometrics appointment fee
Applicants outside the UK must attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph. The fee is typically £50 to £80 depending on the country and VAC provider, paid directly to the centre operator.
For FLR(M) applications made within the UK, biometrics are provided at a UKVCAS centre. Standard slots are free. Enhanced appointments at more convenient locations carry an additional charge of up to £60.
Priority and super-priority service fees
If you need a faster decision than the standard 12-week processing time, two optional paid services are available at most Visa Application Centres.
The priority service aims for a decision within approximately 6 weeks of biometrics and costs an additional £500. The super-priority service aims for a decision by the end of the next working day after biometrics and costs an additional £1,000.
For FLR(M) extensions within the UK, a priority service targeting 5 working days and a super-priority service targeting 2 working days are both available at the same approximate costs.
Availability varies by country and VAC location — check what is offered at the time of applying.
English language test fee
Unless exempt, the applicant must pass a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test at CEFR A1 level before applying. Fees are typically £150 to £200. The test must be booked at a provider on the current Home Office approved list.
Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries, those with a degree taught entirely in English, and applicants aged 65 or over.
Tuberculosis test fee
Applicants from certain countries must provide a tuberculosis test certificate. Whether this applies depends on the country where the application is made. The test must be carried out at an approved clinic and costs typically £65 to £150. Check the current list of countries requiring a TB test on gov.uk before applying.
Document translation costs
Any document not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation from a qualified professional translator. Budget approximately £40 to £80 per page. For applicants with foreign-language marriage certificates, bank statements, or other key documents, translation costs can add several hundred pounds in total.
Legal fees
Using a regulated immigration adviser reduces the risk of refusal significantly. A refused application means losing the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge — over £5,000 — with nothing to show for it. JPS Immigration charges fixed fees confirmed at your free initial assessment.
What to budget in total
For a first-time application from outside the UK, adding the £2,064 application fee, the £3,105 IHS, biometrics, and English language test, the total typically comes to around £5,400 to £5,500 before legal fees, translations, a TB test if required, or any priority service. Adding priority processing and translations can push this to £6,500 or more.
Plan ahead for subsequent stages too. The FLR(M) extension carries a £1,407 application fee and £2,587.50 IHS. The ILR application fee is currently £3,226. Knowing these costs from the start means nothing comes as a shock further down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK spouse visa fee refundable if the application is refused?
No. Both the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are non-refundable if an application is refused, regardless of the reason. This makes thorough preparation before submission essential — a refused application means losing over £5,000 with nothing to show for it.
Does the spouse visa fee cover dependant children?
No. Each dependant child must pay their own application fee and their own Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year for the duration of their visa. Add their costs to your total budget if children are included in the application.
Can the visa fee be paid by the applicant rather than the sponsor?
Yes. There is no requirement for the UK-based sponsor to pay. The fees can be paid by either party or any third party — what matters is that the correct amounts are paid at the time of the application.
Has the UK spouse visa fee increased recently?
Yes. The outside-UK application fee increased to £2,064 and the in-country fee to £1,407 on 8 April 2026. Fees have risen several times in recent years. Always verify the current fee on gov.uk before submitting any payment.
What is the total cost of a UK spouse visa in 2026?
For a first-time application from outside the UK, the minimum upfront cost — application fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge — is approximately £5,169. Adding biometrics, an English language test, and document translations typically brings the total to £5,400 to £5,500 before legal fees or priority services.
If you would like to understand the exact costs for your situation, contact JPS Immigration for a free initial assessment. Call +44 (0) 333 577 0034
