Guide · 3 min read
UK Dependent and Family Visa Costs 2026: The Full Fee Breakdown You Need to See
Bringing your family to the UK is expensive. Here is a complete breakdown of every fee for dependants including application costs, IHS, and priority services.
What You Will Actually Pay
Bringing family members to the UK on a dependent visa is one of the biggest expenses in the immigration process. The headline application fee is just the start. When you add up IHS, priority services, and other costs, the real total is significantly higher.
Spouse or Partner Visa Costs
If your spouse or partner is joining you on a dependent visa:
| Fee | Applying from Outside UK | Applying from Inside UK | |---|---|---| | Application fee | £1,938 | £1,321 (rising to £2,064 from 8 April 2026) | | IHS (2.5 years) | £2,587 | £2,587 | | Biometrics | Included | Included | | Total minimum | £4,525 | £3,908 (rising to £4,651) |
These figures are per person. If you have a partner and children, multiply accordingly.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS is often the largest single cost and catches many people off guard:
| Category | Annual Rate | 2.5-Year Total | 3-Year Total | |---|---|---|---| | Adults | £1,035/year | £2,587 | £3,105 | | Students and under-18s | £776/year | £1,940 | £2,328 | | Health and Care workers | £624/year | £1,560 | £1,872 |
The IHS covers access to the NHS. It must be paid upfront in full before the visa is issued. There is no instalment plan.
Is IHS refundable? If your visa is refused, the IHS is automatically refunded. If you leave the UK before your visa expires, you can apply for a partial refund for unused months.
Children's Dependent Visa Costs
Each child pays the same visa application fee as an adult dependent. The only discount is on IHS for under-18s:
| Fee for one child | Amount | |---|---| | Application fee | £1,938 (outside UK) or £1,321 (inside UK) | | IHS (2.5 years, under 18) | £1,940 | | Total per child | £3,878 (outside) or £3,261 (inside) |
For a family of four (applicant + spouse + 2 children), you could be looking at over £15,000 in visa fees alone before anyone gets on a plane.
Real World Example: Family of Four
Let us work out the total cost for a Skilled Worker visa holder bringing their spouse and two children (ages 8 and 12) from outside the UK on a 3-year visa:
| Item | Main Applicant | Spouse | Child 1 | Child 2 | Total | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Visa application | £719 | £1,938 | £1,938 | £1,938 | £6,533 | | IHS (3 years) | £3,105 | £3,105 | £2,328 | £2,328 | £10,866 | | Immigration Skills Charge | £3,960 | N/A | N/A | N/A | £3,960 | | Subtotal | £7,784 | £5,043 | £4,266 | £4,266 | £21,359 |
That is over £21,000 before priority processing, legal fees, flights, or any other relocation costs.
Priority and Super Priority Processing
If you need your visa faster, there are paid options:
| Service | Cost | Processing Time | |---|---|---| | Standard | Included | 3 to 8 weeks | | Priority | +£500 per person | 5 working days | | Super Priority | +£1,000 per person | Next working day |
For a family of four using Super Priority, that adds £4,000 to the total.
Tips for Managing Costs
Apply from inside the UK if possible. In-country fees are lower than out-of-country fees for dependants.
Time your application carefully. Fees tend to increase every April and October. If you are close to one of those dates, applying earlier can save hundreds.
Check if IHS exemptions apply. Some nationalities have reciprocal healthcare agreements that can reduce or waive the IHS. Check the government website for the current list.
Budget for the worst case. Include priority processing, translation costs, courier fees, and a buffer for unexpected expenses. Running short during the process is extremely stressful.
Use the WiseRoute cost calculator. Our tool gives you an accurate estimate for your specific situation including all visa types, family sizes, and duration options.