Ello guv’nor! Travelling to the United Kingdom just got a whole lot more expensive.
South African passport holders, get ready to dig deeper into your pockets. The United Kingdom announced a 10% increase in visa fees, which took effect on Wednesday, making an already pricey process even more expensive.
With this hike, the most affordable tourist visa will now cost just over R3,100, while the 10-year option will amount to R26,000. You might want to think twice about popping over to have tea with the king.
Unlike many other European countries, the UK offers long-term visitor visas as standard, which is great if you’re a frequent traveller. Many Schengen European countries typically issue short-stay visas valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period while not offering long-stay visitor visas.
Since UK visa fees are based on the value of the British pound and not changed to match the South African rand, the price increase feels even worse for us in Mzansi.
Let’s break down the new prices – and why they’ve gone up.
Oi, mate, why are you increasing your visa fees?
This hike is part of the UK government’s plan to make the immigration system financially self-sustainable. The plan is for visa applicants to cover the costs of processing their applications rather than UK taxpayers. This approach is also influenced by the rising administrative and infrastructure expenses of handling immigration procedures.
The money will contribute to border security, upgrading digital systems, and offering better support for applicants. With more resources, the system can work faster, reduce delays, and make the whole process smoother.
However, not everyone agrees with this move. According to the International Migration, England and Wales Census 2024, 217,200 South Africans reside in the UK. These steep fee increases could affect families relying on visas for reunions, holidays, and life events. And for those making the trip? With the recent tariff hikes and the contentious VAT hike set to take effect next month, these prices are even more unaffordable for the average South African.
But the UK’s tourism industry isn’t complaining. Predictions for 2025 show possibly 43.4 million international visitors this year—a 5% jump from 2024. These tourists are also expected to spend big, with an estimated 33.7 billion pounds coming into the country, which is 7% more than last year.
Let’s have it then. What are the new fees?
These are the new visa prices:
- Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) Previous Fee: R2,835 – New Fee: R3,131
- Long-Term Visitor Visa (2 years) Previous Fee: R10,653 – New Fee: R11,709
- Long-Term Visitor Visa (5 years) Previous Fee: R18,998 – New Fee: R20,910
- Long-Term Visitor Visa (10 years) Previous Fee: R23,753 – New Fee: R26,126
Visitors can usually stay in the UK for a maximum of six months per visit. Given these prices, travellers would need to visit the UK multiple times to make up for the cost of long-term visas:
- 2-year visa: four trips.
- 5-year visa: seven trips.
- 10-year visa: nine trips.
How does this compare to other countries?
When comparing UK tourist visa fees to those of other popular destinations for South African travellers, there are notable differences:
United States: The visa, which is valid for up to approximately 10 years and allows stays of up to six months per visit, costs around R3,500.
Schengen Area: The Schengen Area is made up of European countries that have removed internal borders, allowing for free movement between each other, almost like travelling within a single country. This includes touristy countries like France, Germany (we’re not kidding!), and Spain.
In these countries, a visa costs approximately R1,883, and an additional cost of R700 can apply when applying through visa agencies. The visa’s duration varies but allows stays of up to 90 days.
Australia: A visitor visa costs approximately R2,438 and permits stays of 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on approval.
In terms of budget for frequent travellers, the US 10-year visa offers a lower cost per visit, approximately R384, in contrast to the UK’s 10-year visa. For single trips, the Schengen visa is the cheapest.
The UK’s long-term visa may make sense if you travel frequently. But the price tag is a right royal stinker for most South Africans planning a once-off trip. So if you’re looking for a palace to visit these easter holidays, maybe forget Buckingham and head to Emperors. Much cheaper, and you don’t have to worry about mushy peas with your chips!
Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.
