If you’re thinking about studying or travelling to the UK this year, there’s a small but important update you should know about. From 9 April 2025, the UK Home Office will be increasing the cost of several types of visas and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The good news? If you apply before this date, you can still take advantage of the current lower fees — so it’s worth acting soon if you’ve got plans in place.

What’s Changing?

Here’s a quick look at the updates:

• The Student Visa (including the Child Student Visa and for any dependants) will go up slightly.
• The Short-Term Study Visa (for English language courses that last between 6 and 11 months) will also see a small increase.
• The Visitor Visa, which is needed for visa nationals visiting the UK for up to six months, will cost a bit more from April.
• The cost of the ETA, which is required for non-visa nationals visiting the UK, is also rising. The ETA will become mandatory for EU nationals from 2 April 2025, so this is especially important for European travellers to keep in mind.

What You Can Do Now

If you or your students are planning to travel to the UK soon, we recommend submitting any visa or ETA applications before 9 April 2025. This way, you’ll pay the current lower fees and avoid the changes coming in.

Applying early not only helps you save, but also gives you more time to prepare for your trip without last-minute stress.

Why It Matters

While fee increases are always a bit frustrating, the UK remains one of the most welcoming destinations for international students and educational visitors. From world-class language schools to rich cultural experiences, there’s so much to gain from spending time here — and we want to make sure you’re fully prepared for your journey.

Need Support?

If you’re unsure about which visa you need or how the changes might affect you, feel free to reach out to our team. We’re here to help guide you through the process and make things as easy as possible.

You can also view the full list of updated visa and ETA fees on the UK Government website.

You can also see some useful visa infromation here:

www.wimbledon-school.ac.uk/school/other-services/visa-information