Last reviewed: June 2026
TL;DR- Skilled Worker visa fees are set by the Home Office and published on GOV.UK - always check GOV.UK for current figures
- Total costs include: visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), sponsor licence fee, and Certificate of Sponsorship charge
- The IHS is £1,035 per person per year of leave granted (2026 rate), paid upfront
- Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt from the IHS - a significant saving on longer visas
- Employers pay the sponsor licence fee and CoS charge; applicants pay the application fee and IHS
Why Skilled Worker Visa Costs Are Substantial
The total cost of a UK Skilled Worker visa involves multiple separate fee components payable by the applicant, the sponsoring employer, or both parties. Understanding all components before making an application or committing to sponsorship is essential for employers budgeting for international recruitment and for individuals planning their finances around a visa application. Underestimating the total cost - particularly the Immigration Health Surcharge for longer visas or for applications including dependants - is a common planning error.
The Home Office sets visa fees by statutory instrument. Fees can and do change, sometimes with limited advance notice. This article provides a structural overview of the fee components using figures correct at the time of writing. The authoritative source for current fees is GOV.UK at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. Always verify fees on GOV.UK before making an application, as any figures given here may be out of date.
Component 1: The Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee is paid by the applicant (or by the employer on the applicant's behalf, depending on the employment arrangement). The fee varies based on two factors: the length of the visa being applied for, and whether the application is made from outside the UK (entry clearance) or from within the UK (leave to remain). Applications for a visa of up to 3 years attract a lower fee than applications for more than 3 years.
The Health and Care Worker visa, which covers NHS and regulated healthcare professionals on the Skilled Worker route, has a significantly lower application fee than the standard Skilled Worker fee. This differential was established to make international healthcare recruitment more affordable for NHS trusts and other eligible healthcare employers. Social care workers can no longer use this route following the July 2025 closure - only regulated healthcare professionals in eligible roles remain eligible for the Health and Care Worker fee.
Current application fees are published on GOV.UK's visa fees page at gov.uk/visa-fees. Fees are expressed in GBP and must typically be paid in full at the time of online application submission.
Component 2: The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is one of the largest single cost components of a Skilled Worker visa, particularly for longer visa terms or where dependants are included. The IHS is charged per year of leave granted (or part thereof) and must be paid in full upfront as part of the online visa application process. It is non-refundable even if the visa is refused or the applicant leaves the UK early.
The IHS entitles the visa holder to use NHS services during their leave to remain in the same way as a permanent UK resident - including GP services, hospital treatment, and prescriptions at the NHS subsidised rate. As of 2026, the standard IHS rate is £1,035 per person per year. For a 5-year visa for one applicant with two dependants, the IHS alone amounts to £1,035 x 5 years x 3 people = £15,525, payable upfront at the time of application. This illustrates why the IHS is often the largest cost item for family visa applications.
Health and Care Worker visa holders (NHS and regulated healthcare professionals in eligible roles) are exempt from paying the IHS. This exemption represents one of the most significant financial advantages of the Health and Care Worker sub-route for eligible roles, particularly for longer visa terms and for applicants with dependants.
Component 3: The Sponsor Licence Fee
UK employers wishing to sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants must first obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office. The sponsor licence application fee varies according to the size of the organisation: small businesses and charities (as defined by the Home Office's criteria, broadly fewer than 50 employees or annual turnover under £10.2 million) pay a lower fee than medium and large businesses.
The sponsor licence is valid for 4 years from the date of issue, after which it must be renewed. The renewal also carries a fee. The licence covers all workers the employer sponsors during its validity period - it is not a per-worker fee. For employers who sponsor many workers over the licence period, the per-worker cost of the licence is very low. For employers sponsoring only one or two workers, the licence fee is a more significant cost relative to the overall sponsorship expenditure.
Current sponsor licence fees are published at gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers. The fee must be paid when the licence application is submitted and is non-refundable if the application is refused.
Component 4: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Charge
For each individual sponsored on the Skilled Worker route, the sponsoring employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is a unique reference number that confirms the employer is sponsoring the specific worker for the specific role and salary stated. The Home Office charges a fee for each CoS assigned, payable by the employer when the CoS is created in the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
The CoS charge is an employer cost and cannot be recovered from the sponsored worker through deduction from wages under UK employment law. Some employers choose to pay the visa application fee and IHS on behalf of the applicant as part of their recruitment and relocation package, but this is a commercial decision rather than a legal requirement. Any arrangement for cost recovery should be clearly documented in the employment contract and reviewed against Home Office sponsor guidance on permissible deductions.
Total Cost Structure
| Fee Component | Who Typically Pays | Rate/Notes | Refundable if Refused? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | Applicant | Varies by term and route; check GOV.UK | No |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Applicant and each dependant | £1,035/year per person (2026) | No |
| Sponsor licence fee | Employer | Varies by org size; valid 4 years | No |
| Certificate of Sponsorship charge | Employer | Per sponsored worker; check GOV.UK | No (no refund on refused visa) |
| Priority processing (optional) | Applicant | For faster decision; varies | No |
| Super priority (optional) | Applicant | Next-day decision where available | No |
Cost Allocation Between Employer and Applicant
UK law and Home Office guidance address the allocation of visa costs between employers and applicants. Employers are not permitted to recover the CoS charge from sponsored workers through wage deductions or other mechanisms. The IHS and visa application fee are applicant costs, but many employers choose to reimburse these as part of their international recruitment package to attract candidates and remain competitive in the global talent market.
If an employer wishes to require repayment of any visa costs (such as reimbursed IHS or application fees) if the worker leaves within a defined period, this must be clearly documented in the employment contract. The Home Office's sponsor guidance (available at GOV.UK) sets out what deductions are permissible and what are not. Employers must ensure their contractual arrangements for visa cost recovery are compliant with both the sponsor guidance and UK employment law.
Planning for Visa Renewal Costs
The Skilled Worker visa is typically granted for up to 5 years. At the end of the visa term, if the worker wishes to continue working in the UK, they must apply to extend their leave. Extension applications carry their own visa fee and require a new IHS payment for the extended period. After 5 years of continuous residence on the Skilled Worker route (subject to meeting the qualifying criteria), individuals may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which carries a separate and substantial application fee but removes the ongoing visa renewal cost cycle.
Employers sponsoring multiple workers over time should factor visa renewal costs into their workforce planning. Losing a sponsored worker because the renewal cost was not anticipated or budgeted is an avoidable planning failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026?
The total depends on visa term, number of dependants, and employer costs. Key components: visa application fee (varies by term and route; check GOV.UK), IHS (£1,035 per person per year in 2026), sponsor licence fee (employer, varies by size), and CoS charge (employer, per sponsored worker). Always verify current figures on GOV.UK before applying.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and who pays it?
The IHS entitles the visa holder to access NHS services during their leave. Charged per year of leave per applicant and per dependant, paid upfront and non-refundable. Current rate: £1,035 per person per year (2026). Health and Care Worker visa holders (eligible healthcare professionals) are exempt.
Does the employer or the employee pay the visa application fee?
The application fee and IHS are applicant costs. The sponsor licence fee and CoS charge are employer costs. Many employers reimburse visa costs as part of their recruitment package, but this is a commercial decision not a legal requirement. The CoS charge cannot be recovered from the worker through wage deductions.
Can visa costs be deducted from wages?
The CoS charge cannot be recovered from sponsored workers through salary deductions under Home Office sponsor guidance. Other visa costs (application fee, IHS) can be included in repayment clauses in employment contracts subject to conditions. Home Office sponsor guidance on permissible deductions is available on GOV.UK.
Are there any exemptions from Skilled Worker visa fees?
Health and Care Worker visa holders (NHS and regulated healthcare professionals in eligible roles) are exempt from the IHS and benefit from a lower application fee. Other exemptions may apply in specific circumstances. Full exemption rules are in Home Office guidance on GOV.UK.
