For any organisation sponsoring an individual, it will be important to understand the skilled worker visa costs that you will need to budget for. There are a number of fees that will be payable, both when hiring the skilled worker and on an ongoing basis.
This article identifies the charges and fees that an employer can expect to pay when sponsoring workers on a skilled worker (formerly Tier 2) visa.
Sponsorship licence application fee to hire skilled workers
UK employers are required to hold a valid sponsor licence to hire non-UK resident workers for most work visa routes. For employers, being a sponsor licence holder imposes costs which must be factored into recruitment and ongoing employment budgets.
The Home Office operates a tiered fee system for sponsorship licence applications.
Small businesses & charities sponsor licence
If the organisation comes within the Companies Act definition of a small business, or is a charity, they will pay the small company application fee, which is £536.
The Companies Act states an organisation will be deemed a small company if two of the following apply:
- The company must have a turnover of no more than £10.2 million.
- The company must have a balance sheet total of no more than £5.1 million.
- There must be no more than 50 employees.
Large business sponsor licence
Companies that do not fall within the definition will be charged the large business fee of £1,476.
Skilled worker visa costs of sponsorship
The full list of Home Office sponsor licence application fees are as follows:
Skilled worker visa costs of sponsorship |
Fee |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8,000 |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £200 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £500 |
| Skilled Worker sponsor licence and Temporary Worker sponsor licence – large sponsor | £1,476 |
| Skilled Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £536 |
| Student sponsor licence | £536 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £536 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), (where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence) | £940 |
Certificate of Sponsorship cost
In addition to the licence application, sponsors will also have to pay to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to each sponsored worker.
The Certificate of Sponsorship is a mandatory requirement for skilled worker visa applicants to make their visa application.
The cost of assigning each Certificate of Sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa is £239. This cost will apply each time you recruit a sponsored worker.
Immigration Skills Charge
Also payable by the employer when the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued is the Immigration Skills Charge.
This is a levy on all sponsors, payable on an annual basis for each sponsored worker.
The Immigration Skills Charge is £1,000 per year per migrant worker sponsored under the skilled visa.
A reduced rate of £364 per annum applies to small businesses and charities.
The fee must be paid by the sponsor, and not the worker.
There are limited exemptions for PhD level roles in science and research, UK graduates switching from a Tier 4 visa and the Intra Company Transfer Graduate Trainee Visa category.
Skilled Worker Visa application costs
The cost of making the skilled worker visa application itself will depend on whether the application is being made in the UK or from overseas:
| Applications made outside the UK | Fee |
| Skilled worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £719 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,420 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £551 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,084 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £284 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £551 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £284 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £551 |
| Applications made in the UK | Fee |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £827 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,500 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £551 |
| Skilled Worker, shortage occupation where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,084 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £284 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years -main applicant and dependants | £551 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £284 |
| Skilled Worker – Shortage Occupation – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £551 |
Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge is payable by most UK visa applicants. It allows the visa holder to access the National Health Service (NHS) without further charge, although certain services will still need to be paid for if used.
The immigration health surcharge costs £1,035 per main applicant per year of leave granted. A discounted IHS rate of £776 is available for students and child applicants.
The rate payable by the main applicant also applies to any dependants.
The charge is paid upfront when making the visa application.
Visa holders must have paid enough IHS to cover the duration of their leave in the UK. This means the total IHS payable is calculated on the basis of how much leave has been granted to the individual. For example, under the current rate, a five-year visa will cost 5 x £1,035 = £5,175 for a single applicant for the duration of their visa.
Where the application includes part of a year that is less than 6 months, the applicant pays half the relevant yearly rate for that period.
If the application includes part of a year that is more than 6 months, the whole year must be paid for.
Premium and fast-tracked services
Under the Sponsor Licence Application Priority Service, applicants can pay an additional £500 for fast-tracked processing of their application and a decision within 10 working days. This service is generally of interest to employers who have already identified a candidate and who wish to expedite the recruitment and onboarding of their new recruit.
For visa and settlement applications, applicants may be able to pay for expedited processing under the priority and super priority services.
The standard processing time for visas varies between countries and service centres, and the type of visa being applied. Typically, applications can take anywhere between several weeks to several months.
If a visa applicant has secured employment and needs to arrive in the UK within a set period, priority service may be available for an additional fee.
| Premium services for outside UK applications | Fee |
| Priority visa service – non-settlement | £500 |
| Super priority visa service | £1,000 |
| User-pay visa application centre | £76.50 |
| International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) | £2.74 |
| International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) | £0.69 |
| Application category for inside UK applications | Fee |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 |
| Expedited processing – Priority service | £500 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £57.33 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £77.40 |
| Premium status checks and advice – Administrative Officer (per minute) | £0.80 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.88 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.10 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (inside office hours) (per minute) | £0.97 |
| Premium status checks, advice or training – Higher Executive Officer (outside office hours) (per minute) | £1.23 |
Premium sponsor scheme
The premium sponsor scheme is available to sponsors with an A-rated licence and a clear compliance record. For a fee, it offers an “enhanced level of support” through a dedicated account manager for tailored advice and support.
| Application category | Fee |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – large sponsors | £25,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Worker sponsor and Temporary worker sponsor – small sponsors | £8,000 |
| Premium Sponsor Service (12 months) Student sponsors | £8,000 |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £200 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £500 |
Sponsor action plan
Where the Home Office alleges a sponsor has failed to meet their compliance duties, that may take enforcement action. Early-stage sanctions can include imposing an action plan. This will cost the sponsor £1,476.
Need assistance?
We are specialist UK immigration lawyers, with substantial experience and recognised expertise in advising employers on the sponsorship regime, and recruiting from overseas to meet their talent needs.
With in-depth insight into the sponsorship process, we can provide a full appraisal of the skilled worker visa costs and the wider implications for your organisation of sponsoring migrant workers. For specialist immigration advice, contact us.
Skilled worker visa costs FAQs
How much does it cost to sponsor a visa UK?
The fee to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to a sponsored worker is £239 under the Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker routes. The Immigration Skills Charge of £1000 (reduced rate applies in limited circumstances) will also be payable when the CoS is issued.
How much does it cost to become a sponsor?
The employer will have to pay a number of fees to sponsor a skilled worker visa, including the sponsor licence application fee and the fee to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the worker.
Can you hire migrant workers without sponsoring them?
Migrant workers can only work in the UK if they have permission. While most of the work visa routes under the points-based system require sponsorship by a licensed employer, there are some immigration routes which do not need sponsorship, but other eligibility criteria apply, such as under the Global Talent route.
Last updated: 7 April 2024
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals