UK Visa Fee for USA 2026 — Official Home Office Rates
American passport holders most commonly apply for the UK Standard Visitor Visa when their trip exceeds 6 months, involves paid work, or falls outside the visa-free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) route. Applications are submitted online at gov.uk and biometrics are captured at one of the UK visa application centres run by TLScontact in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Houston, San Francisco and Miami. Standard processing runs to about 3 weeks, with priority and super priority options available for a fee.
UK Visa Fees for USA Applicants (April 2026)
| Visa Type | Fee (GBP) | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) | £135 | 3 weeks |
| Standard Visitor (2 years) | £506 | 3 weeks |
| Student Visa | £558 | 3–8 weeks |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | £943 | 3–8 weeks |
| Spouse / Family Visa | £2,064 | 12 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the UK visa fee for USA citizens in 2026?
UK visa fees for USA citizens are set in GBP by the UK Home Office and were updated on 8 April 2026. A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for 6 months, £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years. Student visas cost £558 and Skilled Worker visas start at £943 for up to 3 years.
Where do USA applicants apply for a UK visa?
USA applicants apply online at gov.uk and then attend a VFS Global or TLScontact visa application centre to submit biometrics and supporting documents. Decisions are returned by courier or for in-person collection.
How long does a UK visa take from USA?
Standard UK visitor visa processing takes about 3 weeks (15 working days) from the biometrics appointment. Priority service returns a decision in around 5 working days for £500, and super priority in 1 working day for £1,000.
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