If you are applying for a United Kingdom (UK) visa from Kenya, the cost depends on the type of visa you need.
Therefore, it is important to understand the different types of visas available and their application costs
The UK government sets specific visa fees depending on the purpose of travel, length of stay, and category of the applicant.
The categories include Visit, Study, Work, Join Family, Settlement, and Other. The Kenya Times has compiled a detailed breakdown of each category and the official fees in USD.
1. UK Visit Visas
Visit visas are the most common UK visas for Kenyans, covering short-term travel such as tourism, family visits, medical treatment, academic visits, and transit through the UK.
The fees vary depending on the purpose of the visit and the length of stay.
Standard Visitor Visa – for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | 179 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | 668 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | 1193 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | 1490 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months up to 12 months | 309 |
| Marriage visitor visa | 179 |
| Private medical treatment – more than 6 months up to 11 months | 309 |
| Visit the UK in a Chinese tour group (UK only) | 179 |
Short-term Study Visa
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Short-term student studying English language (more than 6 months but not more than 11 months) | 301 |
Transit Visas
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Direct Airside Transit (DATV) | 55 |
| Visitor in Transit visa | 98 |
| Joining a ship or aircraft as a crew member (also applicable to Isle of Man) | 98 |
Parents of Children at School
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Parent of a Student child visa (up to 12 months) (Tier 4 Isle of Man) | 959 |
Child Visitors
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | 179 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | 668 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | 1193 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | 1490 |
Also Read: UK Waives Visa Requirements for 48 Countries; How it Works
2. Study Visas
Kenyan students who wish to pursue education in the UK, including short courses, English language studies, or full-time degree programs, are required to apply for a Study Visa.
The costs vary depending on the type of study and location, such as the Isle of Man, Jersey, or Guernsey.
Short-term Study Visa
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Short-term student studying the English language (more than 6 months but not more than 11 months) | 301 |
Parents of Children at School
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Parent of a Student child visa (up to 12 months) (Tier 4 Isle of Man) | 959 |
Points-Based System, Tier 4 – Isle of Man
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tier 4 (General) student visa – Isle of Man (main applicant and dependants) | 737 |
| Temporary Seasonal Worker – Isle of Man | 449 |
Student Visas
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Student – main applicant and dependants | 737 |
| Child Student | 737 |
Entry Clearance as a Student (Guernsey and Jersey)
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entry clearance as a student into the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Bailiwick of Jersey | 737 |
3. Work Visas
For Kenyans planning to work in the UK, there are multiple visa routes depending on the type of job, skill level, sponsorship, or duration of stay.
Work visa costs vary depending on the specific category, ranging from skilled worker visas to temporary and special work categories.
Points-Based System, Tier 1 (Isle of Man also applicable)
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | 2813 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – dependants only | 1792 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | 1077 |
Work – Applications Made Outside the UK (Isle of Man also applicable)
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker – up to 3 years (main applicant and dependants) | 1082 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years | 1082 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | 1082 |
| Skilled Worker – over 3 years (main applicant and dependants) | 2136 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – over 3 years | 2136 |
| International Sportsperson – up to 12 months | 449 |
| International Sportsperson – over 12 months | 1082 |
| Skilled Worker – Immigration Salary List job – up to 3 years | 830 |
| Skilled Worker – Immigration Salary List job – over 3 years | 1632 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – up to 3 years | 428 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – over 3 years | 830 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa (Salary List) – up to 3 years | 428 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa (Salary List) – over 3 years | 830 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee | 449 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier | 449 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker | 449 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker | 449 |
| High Potential Individual | 1238 |
| Scale-up | 1238 |
Temporary Work (Isle of Man also applicable)
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Temporary Work – Charity Work | 449 |
| Temporary Work – Creative Worker | 449 |
| Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange | 449 |
| Temporary Work – Religious Worker | 449 |
| Temporary Work – Youth Mobility Scheme | 449 |
| Temporary Worker – Seasonal Work | 449 |
| Temporary Work – International Agreement | 449 |
Other Work Categories
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Offshore worker | 959 |
| Overseas domestic worker in a private household | 959 |
| Representative of an overseas business | 1082 |
| Employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcaster | 1082 |
| Sheep Shearer | 959 |
| UK ancestry | 959 |
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | 1792 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (excluding VAT) | 1407 |
| Contact point meeting under Innovator Founder route (excluding VAT) | 703 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | 654 |
| Global Talent – main applicant (Approval Letter required) | 288 |
| Approval letter for Global Talent application | 789 |
| Global Talent – main applicant (Approval Letter not required) | 1077 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | 1077 |
Other Work Categories – Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Work permit holder – Jersey and Guernsey | 1082 |
| Entry clearance for work permit employment (12 months or less) – Jersey and Guernsey | 449 |
| Entry clearance for low-skilled work (12 months or less) – Jersey and Guernsey | 449 |
| Worker – Isle of Man | 1082 |
| Representative of overseas business – Isle of Man | 1082 |
Exemptions
Some applicants are exempt from paying fees in specific circumstances.
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic Posting to the UK | Free of charge |
| Diplomatic Posting to the UK (Dependant) | Free of charge |
| Members of International Organisations on Official Visits | Free of charge |
| Official Transit through the UK | Free of charge |
| Official Visit to the UK | Free of charge |
Members of Armed Forces and Their Families (Non-Settlement)
| Visa type | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| HM Forces personnel or foreign armed forces – exempt from immigration control | Free of charge |
| Dependants of exempt international forces (Appendix Armed Forces) | 959 |
Also Read: How Kenyans Can Check Their Allowed Period of Stay on a US Visa
4. Join Family Visas
For Kenyans planning to reunite with family members in the UK, the Join Family Visa category applies.
This covers parents of children at school, family of settled persons, dependants of armed forces members, and family members of EU/EEA nationals.
| Category | Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Parents of Children at School | Parent of a Student Child Visa (up to 12 months, Tier 4 Isle of Man) | 959 |
| Family of Settled People (Settlement) | Family visas – Joining your partner, parent, proposed civil partner or child (also applicable to Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey) | 2726 |
| Family visas – Adult Dependant Relative (also applicable for Isle of Man) | 4800 | |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a victim of domestic abuse and dependant children | 4260 | |
| Route to Settlement – Refugee Dependant Relative | 596 | |
| Dependent children under 21 applying under Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay | Free of charge | |
| Settlement for Current & Former HM Armed Forces (and Dependants) | Pre-1997 Gurkhas (outside immigration rules) | 2726 |
| Overage dependant children of Pre-1997 Gurkhas | 2726 | |
| HM Forces dependants applying under Appendix Armed Forces | 2726 | |
| Exemptions | Diplomatic Posting to the UK (Dependant) | Free of charge |
| Members of Armed Forces & Families (Non-Settlement) | Dependants of exempt international forces applying under Part 10 of Appendix Armed Forces | 959 |
| Family Members of EEA & Swiss Nationals | Joining a family member from the EU/EEA/Switzerland/Norway/Iceland with EU Settlement Scheme status | Free of charge |
| Living in EU/EEA/Switzerland with a British citizen | Free of charge | |
| Joining a person of Northern Ireland resident in the UK before 31 Dec 2021 | Free of charge | |
| Retained right of residence after relationship with EU/EEA/Swiss national | Free of charge |
5. Settlement Visas
Kenyans applying for permanent settlement in the UK fall under this category.
Settlement visas are among the most expensive, especially for adult dependants and special family cases.
| Category | Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Family of Settled People (Settlement) | Family visas – Joining your partner, parent, proposed civil partner or child (also applicable to Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey) | 2726 |
| Family visas – Adult Dependant Relative (also applicable to Isle of Man) | 4800 | |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a victim of domestic abuse and dependant children | 4260 | |
| Route to Settlement – Refugee Dependant Relative | 596 | |
| Dependent children under 21 applying under Appendix ECAA Extension of Stay | Free of charge | |
| Settlement for Current & Former Members of HM Armed Forces (and Dependants) | Former UK Armed Forces | 2726 |
| Indefinite leave to enter as the dependant of an HM Armed Forces service leaver or member (Appendix HM Armed Forces) | 4260 | |
| Indefinite leave to enter as an HM Armed Forces service leaver or member | 4260 | |
| Pre-1997 Gurkhas (outside immigration rules) | 2726 | |
| Overage dependant children of Pre-1997 Gurkhas | 2726 | |
| HM Forces dependants under Appendix Armed Forces | 2726 | |
| Returning Residents | Returning Resident | 959 |
| Family Reunion to Join Asylum Seekers | Family reunion (pre-flight dependants, under Part 11 of Asylum Rules) | Free of charge |
| Post-flight dependants | 1966 | |
| Family reunion – Other dependent relatives | 596 |
6. Other Visa Fees
This category covers exempt visas, priority services, and other administrative fees.
Exempt Applications: Diplomatic postings, official visits, and international organisation members – Free of charge
| Category | Visa Type / Service | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dependants of Armed Forces | Dependants of exempt international forces | 959 |
| Visa Services | Single Entry Visa (replace biometric residence permit) | 217 |
| Commonwealth / Overseas Territories applications | 198 | |
| Hong Kong British National (30 months) | 271 | |
| Hong Kong British National (5 years) | 377 | |
| Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode | 828 | |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) | 217 | |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | 23 | |
| Priority Services | Settlement Priority Service | 703 |
| Non-settlement Priority Service | 703 | |
| Super Priority Service | 1407 | |
| Other Services | International contact centre (per-minute call) | 1 |
| International contact centre (per email query) | 4 | |
| Registered Traveller – Adult | 70 | |
| Registered Traveller – Child | 34 | |
| Registered Traveller – New documents | 28 | |
| Assessment of Overseas Qualifications | 295 |
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