If your students are planning to study or travel to the UK this year, there’s an important update that you, as an education agent, need to be aware of. From 9 April 2025, the UK Home Office will introduce increases to several visa types and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

What’s Changing?

The upcoming changes will affect a range of visa categories, including:

• Student Visas (including Child Student Visas and any dependants): A modest fee increase will apply.

• Short-Term Study Visas: For English language courses lasting between 6 and 11 months, fees will go up slightly.

• Visitor Visas: Required for visa nationals staying in the UK for up to six months—these too will see a small rise in cost.

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): Fees are also increasing. Crucially, from 2 April 2025, EU nationals will also be required to obtain an ETA, making this a key consideration for European students and travellers.

Why This Matters for You and Your Students

These increases are relatively small but could impact planning and budgets—especially for families or students bringing dependants. The good news is that any applications submitted before 9 April 2025 will still benefit from the current, lower fees.

Encouraging early applications doesn’t just save money; it also helps reduce last-minute stress and allows for a smoother visa processing timeline.

Key Recommendations for Agents

• Advise students and families to apply early: Submitting visa and ETA applications before the April deadline will avoid the upcoming fee hikes.

• Communicate the new ETA rules to EU students: With the ETA becoming mandatory for EU nationals from 2 April 2025, this change needs to be clearly highlighted in your guidance and application support.

• Use official resources: Direct students and families to the UK Government website for the full list of updated fees and requirements.

• Share useful school links: For additional visa guidance and support, schools such as Wimbledon School of English offer helpful resources that agents can use in their counselling.

Final Thoughts

Although any fee increase is never ideal, the UK continues to be one of the world’s top destinations for language learning, academic pathways, and cultural exchange. With a bit of forward planning, your students can still enjoy all the UK has to offer—without being caught off guard by the changes.

Need Help?

If you or your students have questions about which visa to apply for, how the changes will affect them, or how to begin the process, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to provide expert support and help ensure a smooth transition.