British National (Overseas) visa

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How much it costs

To apply for a British National (Overseas) visa, or to apply to switch to or extend one, you must:

  • pay the visa application fee
  • pay the healthcare surcharge

The first time you apply you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members for at least 6 months while you’re in the UK.

Visa application fee

You and your family members will each need to pay a visa application fee.

It costs:

  • £180 if you’re applying for 2 years and 6 months
  • £250 if you’re applying for 5 years

As part of your application, you might need to go to an appointment to give your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).

Healthcare surcharge

You and your family members will each need to pay the healthcare surcharge.

This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. You’ll still need to pay for some NHS care such as prescriptions, dental care and eye tests.

For each adult (18 or older) it costs:

  • £2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
  • £5,175 if you’re staying for 5 years

For each child (under 18), it costs:

  • £1,940 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
  • £3,880 if you’re staying for 5 years

You pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online visa application.

If you’re extending your visa and you receive benefits

You do not need to pay the application fee or healthcare surcharge if all of the following apply:

  • you’re extending your visa for 30 months
  • you’re receiving benefits
  • you cannot afford to pay the fee or healthcare surcharge

You will have to pay if you’re extending your visa for 60 months.

You’ll need to give evidence that you’re receiving benefits and cannot afford the fee or healthcare surcharge when you apply to extend your visa - for example, bank statements dated within the last 3 months.

Money to support yourself and your family

When you apply for the first time, you’ll need to show you have enough money to pay for your housing and to support yourself and your family for 6 months.

This can include:

  • your income and savings as well as your family member’s
  • money you will earn in your current job in the UK
  • money you will earn if you’re transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer
  • an offer of help from family or friends

You usually do not need to show you have enough money to support yourself if you’ve been living in the UK for 12 months or more.

As well as money for housing costs, you’ll need at least the same amount as someone would get on Income Support in the UK.

How much you need depends on how many family members are applying with you. For example, you’ll need about:

  • £2,000 as a single adult
  • £3,100 as a couple with a child
  • £4,600 as a couple with 3 children
  • £9,200 as a couple with 2 parents and 2 adult children

Check what documents you need to show this.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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