UK Skilled Worker Visa Cost Breakdown (2026 Fees, IHS & Sponsorship)
Detailed breakdown of application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, and employer charges
£3,824 (3-Year Visa: £719 + £3,105 IHS) per adult applicant
A complete overview of the costs associated with the UK Skilled Worker Visa, including employee application fees, IHS annual charges, biometric submissions, and employer Immigration Skills Charges.
Itemized Fee & Expense Schedule
| Expense Item | Amount | Payee | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee (Up to 3 Years) | £719 | UKVI | Yes | Standard fee per main applicant and each dependant. |
| Visa Application Fee (Over 3 Years, up to 5 Years) | £1420 | UKVI | Yes | Standard fee for 5-year single sponsorship. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1035 per year (e.g. £5,175 for 5-year visa) | UKVI / NHS | Yes | Full adult rate. Health & Care visa holders are 100% exempt. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee | £239 | UKVI | Yes | Paid by sponsoring employer. |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) | £364/year (small sponsor) or £1,000/year (medium/large sponsor) | UKVI | Yes | Legally MUST be paid by the employer; cannot be passed to the employee. |
Living Maintenance & Bank Statement Funds
£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days in personal bank account.
£285 for partner, £315 for first child, £200 for each additional child.
Rule: If your employer checks the "sponsor certifies maintenance on CoS" box, personal bank statements are NOT required.
Smart Money-Saving Tips for Applicants
- Ask your employer to certify maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) so you do not need 28 days of bank statements.
- Check if your profession qualifies under the Health and Care Worker route for 100% IHS exemption and 60% lower visa fees.
- Negotiate a relocation assistance package where the employer covers visa fees and IHS costs up front.
Official Statutory References & Guidance
All requirements, salary floors, maintenance rates, and eligibility criteria on this page are cross-checked against official UK Government legislation, Immigration Rules, and regulatory guidance:
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker Visa Fees
Official statutory fee regulation.
- GOV.UK — Immigration Skills Charge
Official statutory fee regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, authoritative answers to common immigration, visa, and relocation questions.
No. Under Home Office sponsorship rules, it is illegal for an employer to pass on the Immigration Skills Charge or the CoS assignment fee to the sponsored employee.
Real Immigrant Experiences
Moderated, firsthand insights from immigrants who completed this pathway:
Global Talent Visa (Tech Nation / Exceptional Promise) Endorsement & Stage 2
Applied under Tech Nation exceptional promise route with 3 reference letters from AI founders, GitHub open-source contributions, and media features. Stage 1 endorsement came in 18 days, Stage 2 UKVI clearance took only 2 weeks without needing a sponsor employer.
NHS Registered Nurse Relocation to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Secured NHS Band 5 registered nurse sponsorship through international recruitment. The Health & Care Worker route has reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Spouse Visa (Appendix FM) Journey: Meeting Financial Requirements & Relationship Evidence
Applied from Pakistan to join my British citizen husband in Birmingham. We prepared over 80 pages of combined relationship evidence (chat logs, wedding photos, tenancy agreement in UK, 6 months payslips and bank statements). Decision took 12 weeks standard.
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