Planning to sponsor a worker under the UK's Skilled Worker route — or applying for one yourself? The true cost of a Skilled Worker visa in 2026 is not a single number. It's a combination of government fees, employer obligations, optional charges, and legal costs that together determine the real financial picture.
This guide breaks down every fee, explains who is legally required to pay it, and shows you how costs change depending on the length of the visa you're applying for.
Fee increase alert: The Skilled Worker Application Fee is rising from £885 to £943 from 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before this date will benefit from the lower rate.
What Are the Core Skilled Worker Visa Fees?
A Skilled Worker visa application involves five distinct fee categories. Each has a different payer, a different legal status, and different implications for employers and applicants.
| # | Fee | Amount (3-yr) | Mandatory? | Paid By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skilled Worker Application Fee | £943 | Yes | Applicant |
| 2 | Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee | £525 | Yes | Company |
| 3 | Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) | £1,440 | Yes | Company |
| 4 | Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £3,105 | Yes | Applicant |
| 5 | Priority Service Fee | £500 | Optional | Applicant |
Important: The Certificate of Sponsorship fee and the Immigration Skills Charge are legal obligations of the sponsoring employer and cannot be passed on to the applicant. Attempting to charge these costs to the employee may constitute a breach of the sponsor licence conditions.
Who Pays What? A Clear Responsibility Split
Understanding who pays what is one of the most common sources of confusion in Skilled Worker applications. The costs are split between the employer and the applicant by law.
For a 3-year visa, the sponsoring company is legally required to pay £1,965 — made up of the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525) and the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,440). The applicant is responsible for £5,990, excluding the optional priority service fee. In practice, many employers choose to cover some or all of the applicant's fees as part of the employment package.
It is important to note that the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and the Immigration Skills Charge are statutory obligations that sit with the employer alone — they cannot be passed on to or recouped from the worker under any circumstances.
How Does Visa Duration Affect the Total Cost?
The Immigration Skills Charge and Immigration Health Surcharge are both calculated on a per-year basis, which means total costs rise significantly with longer visa durations. The table below shows a full line-by-line breakdown of every fee across all three visa lengths.
| Fee | Paid By | 1-Year | 2-Year | 3-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Application Fee | Applicant | £885 | £885 | £885 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship Fee | Company | £525 | £525 | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) | Company | £480 | £960 | £1,440 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Applicant | £1,035 | £2,070 | £3,105 |
| Priority Service Fee | Optional | £500 | £500 | £500 |
| Legal Fees (i-Migrator) | Applicant | £2,000 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Total (excl. priority) | £4,925 | £6,440 | £7,955 | |
| Total (incl. priority) | £5,425 | £6,940 | £8,455 | |
| Company's share | Company | £1,005 | £1,485 | £1,965 |
| Applicant's share (excl. optional) | Applicant | £3,920 | £4,955 | £5,990 |
Key insight: The application fee (£885) and Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525) are flat charges that do not change with visa duration. The costs that scale are the Immigration Skills Charge (£480/year, paid by the employer) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year, paid by the applicant).
Choosing a 3-year visa over a 1-year visa adds £3,030 to the total cost. However, it avoids the need for an extension application in subsequent years, which would incur a fresh set of application and legal fees. For most sponsors, the 3-year route offers the best value over time.
Understanding Each Fee in Detail
1. Skilled Worker Application Fee (£885 / £943 from April 2026)
This is the primary visa application fee paid to the Home Office. It covers the processing of the visa application itself. Note that it remains the same regardless of visa duration — the fee is flat and does not scale with the length of leave requested.
Tip: If your application is in progress and not yet submitted, act before 8 April 2026 to lock in the £885 rate rather than the new £943 charge.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship Fee (£525)
Before a worker can apply for a Skilled Worker visa, the employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a unique reference number that confirms the job offer and sponsorship details. The £525 fee is charged per CoS assigned and is always the employer's statutory obligation.
3. Immigration Skills Charge (£480–£1,440)
The ISC is a government levy paid by the employer for each year of the sponsored worker's visa. The rate for medium and large businesses is £1,000 per year; smaller businesses and charities pay a reduced rate. At the standard rate for a 3-year visa, the ISC totals £1,440 (note: the figures in this guide use the reduced rate of £480/year applicable to smaller sponsors).
ISC reclaim: A recent HMRC direction has opened the possibility of reclaiming the Immigration Skills Charge, or a proportion of it, under certain circumstances. We can advise on whether your business may be eligible.
4. Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year)
The IHS grants the visa holder access to NHS services during their stay in the UK. At £1,035 per year, a 3-year visa incurs a surcharge of £3,105. This fee is charged upfront at the time of application and is paid by the applicant.
5. Priority Service Fee (£500, optional)
Opting for the priority service typically results in a decision within 5 working days rather than the standard processing time. While optional, many applicants find the certainty valuable, particularly where start dates are time-sensitive.
Legal Fees
In addition to government fees, professional legal assistance is essential to ensuring the application is prepared correctly and the Certificate of Sponsorship aligns with Home Office requirements.
Our fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the level of assistance required. Contact us for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an employer pass the Immigration Skills Charge on to the employee?
No. The ISC is a statutory employer obligation and cannot legally be recouped from the sponsored worker. Doing so could result in enforcement action and potential loss of your sponsor licence. The same applies to the Certificate of Sponsorship fee.
What is the Certificate of Sponsorship and who assigns it?
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a digital record — not a physical document — that a licensed sponsor assigns to a worker. It contains details of the job role and is the key reference the Home Office uses to assess the visa application. The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence before assigning a CoS.
When is the fee increase taking effect and how does it affect my application?
The Skilled Worker Application Fee rises from £885 to £943 on 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before that date will be processed at the lower fee. If your application is nearly ready, it is worth prioritising submission before 8 April to avoid the increase.
Can the Immigration Skills Charge be reclaimed?
Potentially yes, following a recent HMRC direction. There may be scope for employers to claim back the ISC, or a portion of it, in certain circumstances. This is an evolving area and we recommend speaking with us directly to assess your eligibility.
What if the applicant cannot afford the fees they are responsible for?
Where a prospective employee needs financial assistance with the fees they are personally responsible for (such as the IHS or application fee), the employer can choose to advance or cover these costs as part of the employment package. We can advise on how to structure such arrangements appropriately.
Ready to Sponsor a Skilled Worker?
Navigating Skilled Worker sponsorship involves more than paying the right fees — it requires a valid sponsor licence, a correctly issued Certificate of Sponsorship, a compliant job description, and an application that meets every Home Office requirement. Contact us for a personalised quote tailored to your situation, the role, and the visa duration you need.
This article is provided for informational and budgeting purposes only. All fees are subject to change by the Home Office. This content does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact us directly.