Visa Changes April 2026: Fees, Processing Times & Policy Updates
Monthly roundup of visa fee changes, processing time updates, and policy shifts across the UK, US, Schengen, Canada, Australia, and other popular destinations. Everything that changed in April 2026.
Your bank adds a hidden 3–5% exchange rate markup to every international payment. On a typical visa fee, that's money you'll never see again. Wise uses the mid-market rate (the one you see on Google) with a small, transparent fee — so you keep more of your money.
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What Changed in April 2026
This is our monthly roundup of visa fee changes, processing time updates, and policy shifts. We monitor official government sources and update this page as changes are confirmed.
Fee Changes
| Destination | Visa Type | Old Fee | New Fee | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Standard Visitor | £127 | £135 | 8 April 2026 |
| Australia | Visitor (subclass 600) | AUD 190 | AUD 200 | April 2026 |
Policy Updates
US Visa Bond Program Expansion
The US State Department expanded its visa bond program to 50 countries from 2 April 2026. B1/B2 applicants from affected nations must now post a refundable cash deposit of $5,000–$15,000 before their approved visa is issued. Twelve new countries were added in this round. See our full analysis of the US visa bond program for details.
ETIAS Still Pending
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS continue to face delays. Current expectations place the ETIAS launch in late 2026. Visa-exempt travellers (including UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and Brazilian citizens) will eventually need a €20 ETIAS authorisation for Schengen entry (free for under 18 and over 70). We will update our ETIAS preparation guide when a firm launch date is confirmed.
Processing Time Updates
Processing times remain broadly stable across most destinations this month:
- UK Standard Visitor: 3 weeks (no change)
- US B1/B2: Varies by embassy — some posts report 90–150 day wait times
- Schengen: 15 calendar days standard
- Canada Visitor: 4–8 weeks (no change)
- Australia Visitor: 2–4 weeks (no change)
New on VisaCalm
This month we added:
- Schengen 90/180 Day Calculator — Calculate your remaining days
- Compare Passports tool — See where you can travel together
- Passport Reality Score — Check your travel profile
What to Watch in May 2026
- UK: Further fee adjustments may follow the April increase — monitor gov.uk for updates
- ETIAS: Any new announcements on EU Entry/Exit System timeline
- US: Implementation details for the expanded visa bond program as embassies adjust processes
This is a monthly series. We publish a roundup at the start of each month covering confirmed changes from the previous month. All information is sourced from official government websites.
Your bank adds a hidden 3–5% exchange rate markup to every international payment. On a typical visa fee, that's money you'll never see again. Wise uses the mid-market rate (the one you see on Google) with a small, transparent fee — so you keep more of your money.
We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more