2025–2026 Fee Updates
Several key immigration fees were revised by the Home Office during the 2025–2026 financial year:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Rose from £239 to £525 effective April 2025
- Immigration Skills Charge: Now £1,320/year for large employers (previously £1,000) and £480/year for small or charitable sponsors (previously £364)
- Immigration Health Surcharge: Holds steady at £1,035 per year for adult applicants
- Visa application fees: Range from £819 for visas up to 3 years to £1,618 for longer durations
How UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees Work
Every Skilled Worker visa application carries a combination of government charges that are divided between the employee and the sponsoring employer. The exact amount depends on visa length, the nature of the role, the employer's size, and how many family members are included on the application.
Applicants are responsible for the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), while employers must cover the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and the Certificate of Sponsorship filing fee. In practice, some employers absorb all costs as part of a relocation package, so it is worth clarifying this before you begin the process.
What Applicants Pay
| Fee | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application (≤ 3 years) | £819 – £943 | £819 from outside UK, £943 for in UK extensions |
| Visa application (> 3 years) | £1,618 – £1,865 | £1,618 from outside UK, £1,865 for in UK extensions |
| Immigration Salary List visa (≤ 3 years) | £628 | Reduced rate for roles on the ISL |
| Immigration Salary List visa (> 3 years) | £1,235 | Reduced rate for roles on the ISL |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035/year | £776/year for dependants under 18 |
| Proof of personal savings | £1,270 | Held for 28 consecutive days; waivable by A-rated sponsors |
| English language test | £150–200 | IELTS for UKVI or an approved equivalent |
What Employers Pay
| Fee | Large Employer | Small / Charitable |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor Licence (one-off) | £1,682 | £611 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 per worker | |
| Immigration Skills Charge (annual) | £1,320 | £480 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (5-year visa) | £6,600 | £2,400 |
The ISC does not apply to certain PhD-level science, research and higher education teaching roles, to workers switching from a Student visa, or to dependants.
Are you an employer looking to sponsor workers? Read our step-by-step Sponsor Licence Application Guide for documents, eligibility, and legal fees.
Fees for Dependants
| Fee | Adult (18+) | Child (< 18) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application (≤ 3 years) | £819 | £819 |
| Visa application (> 3 years) | £1,618 | £1,618 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035/year | £776/year |
| Proof of personal savings | £285 (partner) | £315 first child, £200 each additional child |
Worked Example — 3-Year Visa, Single Applicant
Standard role (not on the ISL), applying from outside the UK, sponsored by a large employer:
Employee
Employer
Other Expenses You May Encounter
- English language evidence: An IELTS for UKVI sitting costs around £150–200. Nationals of majority-English-speaking countries and holders of a degree taught in English are usually exempt.
- Tuberculosis test: Applicants from listed countries need a TB certificate; expect to pay £50–150 depending on the clinic.
- Certified translations: Every non-English supporting document requires a professional translation, typically £20–50 per page.
- Faster processing: Priority service (roughly 5 working days) adds £500, while Super Priority (next working day) adds £1,000.
- Legal advice: Immigration solicitors charge anywhere from £500 to £3,000+ for a full Skilled Worker application.
- Biometric Residence Permit: Included in the visa fee when applying from outside the UK — no separate charge.
Who Is Exempt from the ISC?
The Immigration Skills Charge is waived in the following situations:
- Certain PhD-level occupation codes: scientists, research and development managers, researchers and higher education teaching professionals
- Workers switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa
- Dependants of the sponsored worker
- Some Global Business Mobility workers transferred temporarily from the EU
Payment Channels
Applicant (via GOV.UK)
- Visa application fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Biometric enrolment (where applicable)
- Priority or Super Priority add-on
Employer (via Sponsor Management System)
- Sponsor Licence application
- Certificate of Sponsorship allocation
- Immigration Skills Charge (paid upfront)
UK law prohibits employers from passing the cost of the CoS, ISC, or Sponsor Licence on to the sponsored worker.
Official Resources
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker Visa Costs
- Home Office Immigration Fee Schedule
- IHS Calculation Tool
- Immigration Skills Charge — Official Guidance
All figures reflect published Home Office rates as of January 2026 and are provided for informational purposes only. Fees may change without prior notice. Variable costs such as language tests, medical examinations, and document translations depend on your chosen provider and country of application. For the most up-to-date figures, consult the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page. You can also check which employers are licensed to sponsor you on the UK Tier 2 sponsor list.