• The United Kingdom has increased the cost of its visas, pushing the cheapest tourist visa to over R3 100 and the 10-year option to R26 000.
• Unlike most European countries, the UK offers longer-term visitor visas as standard – more convenient for frequent travellers but steep for one-off trips.
• Here’s how the UK’s new fees compare with those for the US, Australia, and the Schengen Zone.
The United Kingdom has increased its visa fees by roughly 10% across the board, adding extra cost to an already expensive process for South African passport holders. Since UK visa fees are pegged to the pound and not adjusted for rands, the price jump hits even harder here.
Unlike Schengen countries, which generally issue short-stay visas for specific trips, the UK offers long-term visitor visas valid for 2,5 or 10 years — a benefit for frequent travellers but a higher upfront cost for those planning a single visit.
While the South African passport has climbed slightly in global rankings, countries like the UK, US, Australia, and those in the Schengen Zone still require full-scale visa applications. These typically include biometric submissions, supporting documents, and in-person appointments, often at agencies — with little of the digitisation offered by newer systems like eVisas.
Here’s how much popular UK visitor visas now cost:
Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) Previous Fee: R2 835 - New Fee: R3 131
Long-Term Visitor Visa (2 years) Previous Fee: R10 653 - New Fee: R11 709
Long-Term Visitor Visa (5 years) Previous Fee: R18 998 - New Fee: R20 910
Long-Term Visitor Visa (10 years) Previous Fee: R23 753 - New Fee: R26 126
Visitors can usually stay in the UK for a maximum of six months per visit. Based on current prices, you’d need to travel at least:
• 4 times to make the 2-year visa worthwhile,
• 7 times for the 5-year visa, and
• 9 times for the 10-year visa.
Under most circumstances, visitor visa holders can only remain in the United Kingdom for six months. Based on the current prices, you’ll need to visit four times to make a two-year visa worthwhile, seven visits for the five-year visa, and nine for the ten-year visa.
For most South Africans travelling to the UK on holiday, a single-trip visa remains the most practical choice. But long-term visas may be worth it for those expecting to visit frequently, travel at short notice, or transit through the UK.
How the UK compares with the US, Europe and Australia
Many countries now offer digital or eVisa systems, but some destinations popular with South African travellers and immigrants still require conventional visa applications.
Here’s how the UK’s new prices stack up:
United States
• Fee: $185 (±R3 500)
• Validity: Up to 10 years
• Stay per visit: Usually up to 6 months
Schengen Zone
• Fee: €90 (±R1,883)
• Processing charges: Up to R700 extra via visa agencies
• Validity: Varies – from trip-specific to multi-year, depending on embassy and travel history
• Stay limit: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Schengen visas offer the lowest upfront cost for a single trip but can be inconsistent in length and ease of use.
Australia
• Fee: AUD 195 (±R2 438) • Stay period: 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on individual approval
Which visa offers the best value?
For single trips, the Schengen visa is the cheapest. But if you’re a frequent traveller, the US 10-year visa is by far the most cost-effective — with a cost-per-visit of around R384 if used strategically.
In contrast, even the maximised UK 10-year visa works out to nearly R2,900 per visit, making it one of the priciest options available to South Africans.
Remember that visa fees are usually set in the destination country’s currency and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations. Always check official government websites for up-to-date pricing and requirements.
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