Blog

April 01, 2025

Starting April 1, 2025, visa and tuition fees will see significant hikes for Indian nationals traveling to the UK, Australia, and the European Union. Here's a breakdown of the major changes:

UK Visa Fee Increases:

1. Student and Study Visas:

• Student visa: £490 to £524.
• Short-term study visas (6-11 months): £200 to £214.

2. Visitor Visas:

• 6-month standard visitor visa: £115 to £127.
• Long-term visitor visas:
  • Two-year visa: £432 to £475.
  • Five-year visa: £771 to £848.
  • Ten-year visa: £963 to £1,059.

3. Work Visas:

• Skilled Worker visa (up to three years): £719 to £769.
• Innovator Founder visa: £1,191 to £1,274.

4. Employer Sponsorship Fees:

• Certificate of Sponsorship: £525 (previously £239).
• Large business sponsorship licence: £1,579 (up from £1,476 ).
• Small companies and charities: £574 (up from £536).

5. New ETA:

• A £16 fee for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt travelers.

6. Tuition Fees:

• Domestic students' tuition fees in England will rise gradually from £9,250 to £10,500 over five years, starting in the 2025–26 academic year.

Australia Tuition Fee Increases:

1. University of Melbourne:

• Engineering courses: AUD 56,480 per year (~Rs 30.36 lakh).
• Clinical medicine: AUD 112,832 per year (~Rs 60.66 lakh).

2. University of New South Wales (UNSW):

• Most courses: AUD 58,560 per year.

3. The increase in fees is attributed to the financial pressures faced by universities, with overseas students being an essential revenue source.

European Union Travel Permission:

• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be introduced in mid-2025 for tourist visitors from visa-free countries, costing €7 and valid for three years. It applies to Schengen Area countries like France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
• Entry/Exit System (EES): Biometric screening (facial scans, fingerprints) will be implemented to speed up border processing.

Note: Indian nationals will still need a Schengen visa to travel to EU countries, as ETIAS is not applicable to them.

These hikes in visa and tuition fees will notably affect Indian students, workers, and travelers looking to study, work, or visit these countries.