UK Spouse Visa Fees 2026: Full Cost Breakdown
The application fee is the number most people look up first, but it is not the biggest cost. For both the first visa and the extension, the health surcharge is larger than the visa fee itself. The official figures are spread across several GOV.UK pages, so here they are in one place, with the source for each.
All figures were checked on GOV.UK on 25 September 2026. Fees can change, so always confirm them before you pay.
Spouse visa fees at a glance
The first spouse or partner visa lasts up to 2 years and 9 months. After that, you can apply to extend it for up to 2 years and 6 months.
| First visa (outside the UK) | Extension (inside the UK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | £2,064 | £1,407 |
| Health surcharge | £3,105 | £2,587.50 |
| Total per adult | £5,169 | £3,994.50 |
Each person on the application pays their own fee. If a child applies with you, they pay the same application fee, and a lower health surcharge of £776 a year.
The health surcharge, explained simply
The Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the NHS while you are in the UK. You pay it up front, for the whole length of your visa, when you apply. For adults it is £1,035 a year.
Part of a year is rounded, which is why the totals look uneven:
- First visa, 2 years and 9 months: the extra 9 months counts as a full year, so you pay for 3 years. That is £3,105.
- Extension, 2 years and 6 months: the extra 6 months counts as half a year, so you pay for 2.5 years. That is £2,587.50.
GOV.UK has a surcharge checker that shows your exact amount before you apply. If your application is refused, or you withdraw it before a decision, the surcharge is refunded in full. The application fee is not.
Extending your visa: what you pay the second time
Near the end of your first visa, you apply to extend from inside the UK. This is often called the FLR(M) application. The fee is lower, at £1,407, and the health surcharge covers 2 years and 6 months, at £2,587.50. That makes £3,994.50 per adult.
The whole 5-year route in one table
If you stay on the 5-year route to settlement (indefinite leave to remain, or ILR), this is what the published fees add up to for one adult:
| Stage | Fee + health surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|
| First visa | £2,064 + £3,105 | £5,169 |
| Extension | £1,407 + £2,587.50 | £3,994.50 |
| Settlement (ILR) | £3,226 (no surcharge) | £3,226 |
| Total over 5 years | £12,389.50 |
Settlement is a separate application with its own rules, so check GOV.UK when you get there. The Home Office fees table that takes effect on 8 October 2026 leaves all three of these fees unchanged.
Unmarried partner visa: the same fees
If you apply as an unmarried partner rather than a spouse, the fees are exactly the same. It is the same family visa, and the same health surcharge applies.
Paying for a faster decision
These services are optional. The Home Office fees table lists the priority service at £500 and the super priority service at £1,000. If you apply from inside the UK, GOV.UK says you may be able to pay £1,000 for super priority. From outside the UK, the priority service usually means a decision within 30 working days. Whether a faster service is available depends on your application and where you apply, so check before you plan around it.
Other costs to plan for
The Home Office fees are only part of the picture. Depending on your situation, you may also pay for:
- A TB test, if you are applying from one of the countries on the GOV.UK list, which includes India and the Philippines. The approved clinic sets the price.
- An English language test, from an approved provider. The provider sets the price.
- Certified translations of any document that is not in English or Welsh.
- Optional paid extras at the appointment centre, if the centre offers them.
These vary a lot, so check the price when you book each one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UK spouse visa cost in total? For one adult applying from outside the UK, £5,169 for the first visa: £2,064 for the application and £3,105 for the health surcharge. Over the full 5 years, including the extension and settlement, the published fees add up to £12,389.50.
How much does it cost to extend a spouse visa? £1,407 for the application plus £2,587.50 for the health surcharge, which makes £3,994.50 per adult.
Is the unmarried partner visa cheaper? No. The fees are the same as for a spouse.
Do I get the health surcharge back if my visa is refused? Yes. GOV.UK says the surcharge is refunded in full if the application is refused or withdrawn before a decision. The application fee is not refunded.
Do I have to use a solicitor? No. GOV.UK does not require one, and you can apply online yourself. If you want advice on your own situation, the adviser must be regulated, for example a solicitor or an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority.
How Stratovisa helps
The fees are fixed. What changes the real cost is everything around them: the time spent working out which documents you need, and the cost of getting help with that. We compare the options in what it costs to organise your spouse visa documents.
Stratovisa gives you a slot for every document your visa asks for, so you can upload as you go, see what is still missing, and download one organised package for the online application. If money is the part you are still checking, our spouse visa financial requirement calculator shows where you stand against the £29,000 figure.