In 2025, the UK spouse visa extension application fees include £1,846 for overseas applicants, while UK applicants are charged £1,258. Another payment should be made to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which allows you to access the NHS during your stay. Additional dependent application fees are the same as those of the primary applicant. Other possible payments that should be considered by applicants may be spent on document translations, legal advice, etc., and may vary according to individual circumstances.

Fees for Spouse Visa Extension Application

The visa application charge will differ based on whether one is applying from outside or from within the UK.

For spouse visa applications made by applicants from within the UK, there is a fee of £1,258 charged by the Home Office. However, spouse visa applications made from outside the UK cost £1,846. 

These costs are subject to change, so it is better to check for the latest information on the UK government’s official website at the time of making the application.

The National  Health Services also allows applicants to access the NHS while in the UK by paying a fee. The surcharge is mandatory for visa applicants who intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, with limited exceptions.

The surcharge has to be paid at the time of visa application. The fee structure currently is £1,035 for each applicant for each year of leave, or £776 for each student or child per year of leave.

Additional Costs To Consider 

Besides the main fees, the applicant should consider the following additional costs:

Translation of Documents

Certified translations are required for any supporting document in a language other than English or Welsh. The translation expenses vary according to the number of documents and the level of complexity.

Legal Fees

Hiring an adviser or immigration lawyer can help to manage the application process. Charges for legal services differ widely, depending on the complexity of the case and the rates charged by the practitioner.

Biometric Charges

Biometric data, consisting of fingerprints and photos, must be provided to apply and incurs a £19.20 charge.

Premium Services

Premium payment applies for fast-tracking processing, for example, the Super Priority Visa service charge is £1,000 in consideration of prioritizing decisions by a few days or the end of the next working day.

Ways of Paying the Spouse Visa Extension Fees 

Several payment arrangements permit visa-related fees at the UK Home Office. They include:

Acceptable modes of payment: A credit or debit card such as Visa, American Express, or Mastercard.

• Debit cards: Visa Debit, Maestro, etc.

• Credit card: Visa, American Express, MasterCard, or other cards invoiced at a specific percentage.

Be sure that all card numbers are entered correctly, and check the credit card's expiration date and security code, to limit the chance of a failed payment. If your card is issued by a foreign bank, check that it is authorized for use in the UK or general international online usage. Whenever possible, avoid public networks when making payments. Using a secure private Internet connection is always better to give protection to one's financial transactions.

In case they don't send a confirmatory mail, you can check the payment status in your bank and get in touch with your bank or Home Office, if necessary.

How to Prepare for the Application Fees?

Budgeting is also important for the spouse's visa application for many reasons. It offers an understanding of all costs related to the application including the money costs and other incidental costs which may help the applicant to effectively plan their finances. This, in turn, ends up helping the applicant avoid possible stresses and unnecessary referral of funds later.

Lack of funds stalls the application since one cannot pay the necessary charges or any surprise expense that may come up. A proper working budget would help you to avoid all the conditions mentioned above.

Moving to the UK does not only attract a visa application fee. The applicant will also have to take into consideration what it would take to sustain oneself in the UK such as costs of accommodation, daily expenses, and utility bills to be completely financially prepared to start anew.

How to Prepare for Additional Costs? 

To start preparing for all such possible hidden expenses, the applicants can do the following:

Research: Check out the usual costs for legal fees, document translations, as well as living expenses in the area you wish to move to.

Prepare a Detailed Budget: Map out all known and possible expenses, budgeting for each and leaving an amount aside as a buffer for any unforeseen expenses.

Get Professional Advice: An option would be to talk to an immigration lawyer who would give some ideas about possible hidden costs and budget help.

Conclusion 

The actual specific visa application fee can vary based on factors like the type of visa or immigration application you wish to submit, whether the spouse visa extension application is made outside the UK or inside it, and whether you wish to use one of the Home Office premium services to submit your application.

The applicants must pay all the applicable fees for their immigration or visa application in full, according to the prescribed application procedure. Usually, the UK visa application fee to be paid by the applicant will be determined by the application date. In 2025, when the visa landscape of the UK is transforming, costs will be transformed along with it. Make sure to consider all hidden costs and consult your immigration solicitor to learn ways of reducing the costs by avoiding additional fees strategically. However, you have to pay all mandatory fees for the successful application of your UK spouse visa extension.