The UK Government plans to increase the cost of entering the country for millions of visitors, subject to parliamentary approval, raising the price of a two-year visit visa from £475 to £506 and increasing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from £16 to £20.
The proposed changes form part of amendments to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2026, designed to create headroom for higher charges when updated regulations take effect.
The measures apply across the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and extend to the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. The Home Office intends to implement the changes when parliamentary time allows, with fee increases expected to follow in Spring 2026.
Higher entry costs for visitors
The two-year visit visa is commonly used by travellers who make repeated trips to the UK for holidays, family visits or short business stays. Under the proposal, its fee rises by £31, reflecting an increase in the annual maximum charge from £250 to £253. Five- and 10-year visit visas also fall under the same revised annual cap.
The ETA, a digital permission linked to a traveller’s passport, is required for visitors from eligible countries who do not need a full visa. The planned jump from £16 to £20 represents a 25% increase and aligns with the Home Office’s intention to introduce the system consistently across all participating jurisdictions.
According to the explanatory documents, the government’s strategy is to increase the proportion of migration and border system costs covered by end users rather than taxpayers. Officials indicate the higher fee ceilings allow flexibility to adjust charges in line with future funding needs while maintaining operational sustainability.
Impact assessments suggest that while the legislation itself does not immediately raise fees, future increases could generate substantial additional revenue for the Home Office. Forecasts indicate that a 25% increase in ETA fees could deliver more than £100 million in additional income annually, while broader immigration and nationality fee increases could raise more than £160 million above inflation in the 2026–27 financial year.
However, modelling also anticipates a small decline in demand. Central projections estimate that higher fees could lead to a reduction of around 3.3% in visit visa applications and approximately 0.3% in ETA applications in the first year after implementation. Analysts also project a modest fall in inbound visitor spending as fewer travellers choose the UK.
Tourism industry warns of competitiveness risks
Inbound tourism leaders argue that rising entry costs threaten the UK’s appeal in a competitive global travel market. Joss Croft OBE, CEO, UKinbound said, “At a time when the Government is rightly focused on growth, increasing visa and ETA costs risks pulling the visitor economy in the wrong direction and stunting that growth. It’s staggering that the cost of a two-year visitor visa has increased 40% in four years, and that the ETA has risen by 50% since its roll out in November 2023.
“International visitors have a choice, and the UK already has some of the highest entry costs in the world. Making it even more expensive to visit undermines our competitiveness and puts valuable export income at risk.
“Inbound tourism supports jobs, high streets, pubs and hospitality businesses in communities across the UK. If the Government wants growth to be felt locally, it must rethink these increases and keep the UK open, welcoming and competitive.”
Tourism groups note that neighbouring European destinations often offer lower entry barriers, making price sensitivity a growing concern for long-haul travellers and families planning multi-country trips. Even modest fee increases can influence travel decisions when combined with airfare inflation, accommodation costs and currency fluctuations.
For travellers, the changes mean factoring in higher upfront costs when budgeting for future UK trips, especially for families or frequent visitors who rely on multi-year visas. While the ETA remains cheaper than a full visa, the cumulative effect of rising fees may shape destination choices, particularly for price-conscious travellers.
The government maintains that visa fees are reviewed annually and that the current legislation only adjusts maximum limits rather than setting final prices. Full details of the new fee schedule will be confirmed when the amended regulations are laid before Parliament.
Until then, travellers planning UK trips in late 2025 and 2026 may wish to monitor parliamentary approvals and potential implementation dates, as applying earlier could lock in lower fees before any increases take effect.
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