Sunday, March 23, 2025
Starting next month, residents of the UAE planning to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, medical treatment, education, or other reasons will face higher visa charges.
Visa fees across various categories will see an approximate 10% increase.
Starting April 9, 2025, travelers from the UAE applying for a visit visa of up to six months will incur a fee of £127, up from the current £115. This marks an increase of £12, or 10.4%, as stated by the UK Government.
In a similar manner, the fee for a visit visa valid for up to two years will increase by £43, reaching £475. The cost for a visa valid for up to five years will rise by £77, bringing it to £848, while the price for a ten-year visa will go up by £96, now totaling £1,059.
Emiratis visiting the UK can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which currently costs £10. This allows multiple trips to the UK for stays of up to six months within two years, or until the passport expires—whichever comes first. Starting April 9, 2025, the ETA will increase to £16.
Each year, many UAE citizens and expat residents travel to the UK for tourism, particularly during the summer holidays. While destinations in Eastern Europe and CIS countries are gaining popularity, the UK continues to be a top choice for UAE travelers.
The UK is also a favored travel destination for residents of other nearby GCC nations.
The updated visa fees will also impact tourists applying for UK visas from other nations.
VisitBritain anticipates that the UK will welcome 43.4 million visitors in 2025, marking a 5% increase from the expected 41.2 million in 2024. The organization forecasts that international visitors will spend £33.7 billion in the UK in 2025, reflecting a 7% growth.
In a similar vein, the cost for visas related to academic and private medical treatment will increase by £20, reaching £220. The direct airside transit fee will also rise by £4, bringing it to £39.
