If you are living in the UK on a spouse visa and need to extend your stay, you’ll likely want to understand the total cost of extending your visa. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the various fees, including the application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), additional costs, and payment processes involved in a UK spouse visa extension. Whether you’re preparing for your application or simply exploring the costs, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know.
Current Fee for Spouse Visa Extension
The first thing you need to know about extending your UK spouse visa is the application fee. As of 2025, the cost for extending a UK spouse visa is:
- £1,048 for the standard application fee for a spouse visa extension.
- £1,033 if you are applying from inside the UK to extend your visa for a longer stay.
This fee is for the primary applicant—that is, the person whose visa is being extended. The cost is the same whether you are extending your visa for 2.5 years (the most common duration) or another period, although the application length can affect other factors, like the Immigration Health Surcharge.
It is important to note that the fee mentioned above is per application, meaning if you are both applying for an extension (as a couple), each applicant must pay the application fee separately. So, if you and your spouse are both on spouse visas and need extensions, the cost would be double.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
One of the essential costs you need to plan for when extending your UK spouse visa is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is a mandatory fee that all applicants must pay to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) while residing in the country.
What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The IHS ensures that individuals applying for certain UK visas, including spouse visas, contribute towards the NHS during their stay. The surcharge helps the UK government manage the financial demand placed on healthcare services by non-citizens.
IHS Cost for a Spouse Visa Extension
As part of your spouse visa extension application, you must pay the IHS for the entire duration of your visa extension. For most individuals, the IHS is calculated at £624 per year. Therefore, if you are extending your visa for 2.5 years, the total cost of the IHS will be:
£1,560 (£624 per year x 2.5 years).
If your spouse visa extension is for a shorter or longer duration, the IHS fee will be adjusted accordingly.
Additional Considerations for the IHS
The IHS fee applies to the main applicant only. However, if you have dependents (e.g., children or other family members) applying alongside you, they will also need to pay the IHS for their respective visa extensions. Each dependent’s IHS cost will be calculated according to their visa extension duration.
Additional Costs
Apart from the standard application fee and the IHS, there are other potential costs associated with the visa extension process. Some of these costs may be optional, while others are mandatory.
Optional Services
There are some optional services you can choose to use, such as:
Priority processing: If you wish to have your spouse visa extension processed more quickly, you can pay an extra fee for priority service. The cost for this service is typically around £500. This service ensures that your application is handled faster, usually within 5 working days.
Premium appointments: If you would prefer an in-person appointment for your biometrics or document submission, you can opt for a premium service. The cost varies depending on the location and service provider, but expect to pay between £100 and £150 for this service.
Mandatory Costs
When you apply for a UK spouse visa extension, you may also need to attend a biometric appointment. This involves providing fingerprints and a photograph as part of your identity verification process. The cost for this is typically included in your application fee, but you should double-check when booking your appointment.
Additionally, document scanning or submitting certified copies of your documents may incur additional fees, depending on how you submit your documents. Some third-party services offer document scanning for a fee, ranging from £20 to £40.
Payment Process
Understanding how to pay the various fees is an important step in ensuring that your UK spouse visa extension application goes smoothly. Here’s what you need to know about the payment process.
How to Pay the Application Fee and IHS
Both the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) must be paid online as part of the application process. You will pay these fees via the official UK government website during the visa extension application process.
Application Fee: This is paid when you submit your application. You will need to enter payment details (credit/debit card or another accepted method) to complete the process.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): The IHS is typically paid as part of your visa application process. You will be asked to calculate and pay the IHS fee online before you submit your application.
Payment Methods
Accepted payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and other online payment methods. Make sure you have a valid payment card available before you begin the application process.
Tips for Ensuring Successful Payment
Notify Your Bank: If you are paying the fee from a bank account or credit card linked to a foreign bank, it’s a good idea to notify your bank in advance to prevent any payment issues, such as blocked payments due to security reasons.
Check Your Card’s Limits: Ensure that your payment card has sufficient credit or a high enough limit to cover the full application fee and IHS amount.
Double-check Payment Details: Before submitting your payment, carefully verify all details to avoid errors in your application and payment process.
Refund Policy
Many applicants are concerned about whether they can get a refund if their application is refused or withdrawn. Here’s what you need to know:
Application Fee Refunds: Unfortunately, the UK Home Office does not generally offer refunds on the application fee if your visa extension application is refused or withdrawn. This is important to keep in mind when budgeting for your visa extension.
IHS Refunds: In some cases, you may be able to receive a refund of the IHS fee if your application is refused or withdrawn. However, this is subject to specific conditions and requirements, so it’s best to consult with the UK Home Office or your immigration advisor if you find yourself in this situation.
Budgeting Tips
Planning for the costs associated with a UK spouse visa extension is essential to ensure that you are financially prepared for the process. Here are some budgeting tips to help you manage the costs:
1. Factor in All Fees
When preparing your budget, remember to account for the application fee, the IHS, any optional services like priority processing or premium appointments, and any potential costs for biometrics or document scanning.
2. Consider Legal Advice or Document Translation Costs
If you need legal advice, assistance with completing the application, or document translations, these additional services can add to your costs. Depending on the complexity of your case, you might want to budget for professional help.
Legal Advice: Costs for an immigration lawyer can range from £50 to £250 per hour, depending on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s expertise.
Document Translation: If you have documents in a language other than English, you may need to have them translated. Certified translations typically cost between £20 and £50 per page.
3. Allow for Unexpected Costs
Visa extension applications can sometimes incur additional costs that are hard to predict. It’s always a good idea to budget for any unforeseen expenses that might arise during the process.
Conclusion
The cost of a UK spouse visa extension involves several components, including the application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and additional optional services. While the main expenses are the application fee and the IHS, there are also potential costs for services like priority processing and premium appointments, as well as mandatory costs like biometric appointments.
To ensure a smooth process, be sure to budget carefully, pay attention to payment methods, and seek legal assistance if necessary. By planning ahead, you can avoid any unexpected financial surprises and ensure that your UK spouse visa extension goes as smoothly as possible.
