In 2020, if you were planning to visit, study, work, or join your family in the UK from the United States, understanding the cost of a UK visa was crucial. The cost not only affected your budget but also influenced your decision – making process regarding your UK – bound journey. Visa fees in 2020 were set by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and varied depending on the type of visa you applied for. Let’s take a detailed look at the different visa categories and their associated costs.
Visitor Visas
Standard Visitor Visas
Short – Term (up to 6 months): In 2020, the application fee for a standard visitor visa, which allowed US citizens to visit the UK for tourism, to see friends or family, or for short – term business activities like attending a single meeting or a brief conference, was £95. This fee was applicable for both single – entry and multiple – entry visas within the 6 – month period. For example, if you were planning a two – week vacation in the UK to explore London’s historical sites and visit the Scottish Highlands, you would need to pay this £95 fee.
Long – Term Visitor Visas:
2 – year validity: If you anticipated making multiple trips to the UK over a two – year period, perhaps for regular business meetings or to frequently visit relatives, the cost of a 2 – year visitor visa was £361. This was a more cost – effective option for those with recurrent travel needs compared to applying for multiple short – term visas.
5 – year validity: For individuals with long – term plans to visit the UK, such as attending annual international business events or maintaining close family ties over a longer span, the 5 – year visitor visa was available at a cost of £655.
10 – year validity: The 10 – year visitor visa, which provided the maximum flexibility for long – term travel, came with a price tag of £822. This was suitable for those who had a long – standing interest in the UK, whether for business, cultural, or family reasons.
Visitor for Business Visa (Long – Term)
Similar to the long – term standard visitor visas, the long – term visitor for business visas also had different price brackets based on their validity.
For a 2 – year long – term visitor for business visa, which was useful for those involved in continuous business activities in the UK, like attending a series of business meetings throughout the year or participating in extended business projects, the cost was £361.
A 5 – year long – term visitor for business visa, which was beneficial for companies with long – term business strategies in the UK and required their employees to make regular trips, cost £655.
The 10 – year long – term visitor for business visa, which provided the most extensive access for long – term business – related activities, was priced at £822.
Student Visas
Tier 4 (General) Student Visas
The cost of a Tier 4 student visa in 2020 was £348. This visa was for US students who had been accepted onto a full – time course at a UK educational institution. For instance, if you were a US student who got admitted to a prestigious UK university like the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge for an undergraduate or postgraduate program, you would have to pay this fee.
In addition to the visa application fee, students also had to consider the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). In 2020, the IHS for students was £470 per year. So, if you were enrolling in a three – year undergraduate course, you would need to pay £1410 (3 years * £470) as the IHS. This surcharge allowed students to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay in the country.
Student Visitor Visas
Short – Term (up to 6 months): For those planning to undertake a short – term study course in the UK, such as a summer language course or a brief academic workshop, the student visitor visa application fee was £95.
For English Language Courses (up to 11 months): If you were specifically going to the UK to study English for a period of up to 11 months, the application fee was £186. This was applicable for students attending English language schools in the UK to improve their language skills.
Work Visas
Skilled Worker Visas
In 2020, the application fee for a skilled worker visa was £610. This visa was designed for individuals who had a job offer from a UK employer in a skilled occupation. For example, if you were a software engineer in the US and received a job offer from a leading UK tech company in London, you would need to pay this fee to apply for the skilled worker visa.
Along with the application fee, the employer also had certain costs associated with sponsoring the visa. They might need to pay a £1,476 Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) if they were a medium or large – sized company. Small companies and charities were exempt from this charge. Additionally, workers also had to pay the IHS. The IHS for work visas was £624 per year. So, if you were on a three – year work visa, you would pay £1872 (3 years * £624) as the IHS.
Intra – Company Transfer Visas
The application fee for an intra – company transfer visa was £610. This visa was for employees of multinational companies who were being transferred to a UK branch. For instance, if you were an employee of a US – based multinational corporation and were being transferred to their UK office to take on a new role, you would be required to pay this fee.
Similar to skilled worker visas, depending on the size of the company, there could be an ISC charge for the employer. And the employee also had to pay the IHS at the rate of £624 per year.
Family – Based Visas
Spouse or Partner Visas
The application fee for a spouse or partner visa was £1,523 in 2020. This visa was for US citizens married to or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen, a settled person in the UK, or a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. For example, if you had married a UK citizen while living in the US and wanted to join them in the UK, you would need to pay this substantial fee.
In addition to the application fee, the spouse or partner also had to pay the IHS. The IHS for spouse or partner visas was £624 per year. If the initial visa was granted for a period of two and a half years, the IHS payment would be £1560 (2.5 years * £624).
Dependent Child Visas
The application fee for a dependent child visa was £1,523, the same as the spouse or partner visa. This was for children of UK – based parents or parents with valid UK visas. The UKVI needed to verify the relationship between the child and the parent, as well as the parent’s ability to support and accommodate the child in the UK. Along with the application fee, the child also had to pay the IHS. The IHS for children was £470 per year if they were eligible for the student – rate IHS.
Other Factors Affecting the Total Cost
Priority Services
Some visa types in 2020 offered priority services for an additional fee. For example, for certain visitor visas, you could pay an extra £500 to have your application processed within 5 working days. However, this service was not available for all visa types and was subject to availability. If you were in a hurry to get your visa, perhaps due to a last – minute business trip or a family emergency, this priority service could be an option, but it significantly increased the overall cost.
Document Submission and Courier Services
When applying for a UK visa, you might need to use additional services such as document submission at a visa application center. Some visa application centers charged a fee for handling and processing your application documents.
Additionally, if you opted for a courier service to receive your passport and visa back, there was an extra cost involved. These costs could vary depending on the location of the visa application center and the courier service provider.
Conclusion
In 2020, the cost of a UK visa from the United States varied widely depending on the type of visa you applied for. Visitor visas had different price ranges based on their validity, student visas came with application fees and an IHS charge, work visas had application fees, potential employer – based charges, and IHS, and family – based visas also had significant application fees and IHS requirements. It was essential to carefully consider your purpose of travel to the UK and budget accordingly for the visa application process. Additionally, be aware of any additional services you might choose, such as priority processing or courier services, as they can add to the overall cost. By understanding these costs upfront, you could plan your UK – bound journey more effectively and avoid any financial surprises during the visa application process.
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