Skilled Worker Visa Fee Calculation: How Much Does It Cost in 2026
If your company is sponsoring a Skilled Worker, understanding the associated fees is crucial. From visa application fees to immigration health surcharges, here’s a complete guide to help your business plan ahead.
Home Office Fees: Paid by the Sponsor Company
As a licensed sponsor, your company is responsible for certain Home Office fees. These include:
Sponsor Licence Application Fee
Small company: £574
Large company: £1,579
Optional priority service: £750 (10 working days)
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
£525 per worker
Optional priority service: : £350 (5 working days)
Immigration Skills Charge
Small company: £480 per year
Large company: £1,320 per year
The Skills Charge is calculated per year and paid in advance based on the visa term. For example, a 3-year visa sponsored by a small company will cost £1,440 in Skills Charge.
Are You a Small Sponsor?
A company qualifies as a small sponsor if it meets at least two of the following criteria:
Annual turnover of £15 million or less
Total assets of £7.5 million or less
50 employees or fewer
If your company meets these thresholds, you will benefit from lower sponsor fees and a reduced Immigration Skills Charge.
Exemptions from the Immigration Skills Charge
Certain workers are exempt from the Skills Charge, including:
Students switching from a student visa to a skilled worker visa
Note: Graduate visa holders are not exempt and must pay the Skills Charge.
Visa Application Fees
Visa application fees can be paid either by the sponsor company or the worker. They depend on where the application is made and the visa duration:
Inside the UK:
Up to 3 years: £885
More than 3 years: £1,751
Up to 3 years on the Immigration Salary List: £590
More than 3 years on the Immigration Salary List: £1,160
Up to 3 years on the Health and Care visa: £304
More than 3 years on the Health and Care visa: £590
Outside the UK:
Up to 3 years: £769
More than 3 years: £1,519
Up to 3 years on the Immigration Salary List: £590
More than 3 years on the Immigration Salary List: £1,160
Up to 3 years on the Health and Care visa: £304
More than 3 years on the Health and Care visa: £590
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS is paid at the same time as the visa application:
Adults (workers and dependants): £1,035 per year
Children: £776 per year
Example: A 3-year visa for a worker costs £3,105 in IHS.
Health & Care Visa holders are exempt from this surcharge.
Payments for Applications from Outside the UK
When an application is submitted from outside the UK, the Home Office automatically charges in the local currency of the place of application (even if you are using a GBP card). Some countries with volatile currencies may also be charged in USD.
In these cases, the Home Office applies their own currency exchange rates. These are set at 4% above OANDA’s live bid rates. This higher rate is aimed at minimising the risk of exchange rates fluctuations.
💡Please note: Home Office fees can change from time to time.
Legal Fees
Legal fees are separate from Home Office fees and depend on the scope of services your company requires. See our current fees and list of services.
Plan Your Skilled Worker Visa Costs
Understanding all fees upfront is key to avoiding unexpected costs. Careful planning ensures a smooth visa application process.