How much does a Certificate of Sponsorship cost?

The CoS itself costs £525 per certificate for a Skilled Worker visa. However, the total cost of sponsoring a worker is much higher when you include the sponsor licence fee, Immigration Skills Charge, and the worker's visa application fee (which employers sometimes cover).

What is the Immigration Skills Charge?

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is an annual charge paid by employers when sponsoring workers on Skilled Worker visas. It costs £1,000 per year for large employers and £364 per year for small or charitable employers. It is paid upfront for the full duration of the sponsorship.

How much does a sponsor licence cost?

A sponsor licence costs £536 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,476 for medium and large sponsors. The licence is valid for 4 years and must be renewed before expiry. This is a one-off cost that covers all sponsorships during the licence period.

Can the employer pass sponsorship costs to the worker?

The Immigration Skills Charge must be paid by the employer and cannot be passed to the worker. However, some other costs such as visa application fees and the immigration health surcharge can be paid by either party, depending on the arrangement between employer and worker.

Certificate of Sponsorship Fees for Employers in 2026

The total cost of sponsoring a worker includes the sponsor licence fee (£536-£1,476), CoS fee (£525), Immigration Skills Charge (£364-£1,000/year), and potentially the worker's visa fee and health surcharge. This guide provides a complete cost breakdown.

Complete Cost Breakdown

Sponsoring a worker in the UK involves several different fees. Here is the complete breakdown for 2026:

1. Sponsor Licence Fee (One-Off)

Before you can sponsor any workers, you need a sponsor licence:

Small or charitable sponsors: £536
Medium and large sponsors: £1,476

Valid for 4 years, then renewal is required at the same cost.

2. Certificate of Sponsorship Fee

£525 per CoS assigned

3. Immigration Skills Charge

Large employers: £1,000 per year of sponsorship
Small or charitable employers: £364 per year

Paid upfront for the full sponsorship period. Not refundable if the worker leaves early.

4. Worker's Visa Application Fee

The worker pays this, but many employers cover it as part of their recruitment package. Fees vary by visa duration and whether the application is from inside or outside the UK.

5. Immigration Health Surcharge

£1,035 per year per worker (exempt for health and care workers). Paid by the worker but sometimes covered by the employer.

Example: Total Cost for a 5-Year Sponsorship

For a large employer sponsoring one worker for 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa:

Sponsor licence (if new): £1,476
CoS fee: £525
Immigration Skills Charge: £5,000 (£1,000 x 5 years)
Total employer costs: approximately £7,001

This does not include any visa or IHS costs the employer chooses to cover for the worker.

Which Costs Can Be Passed to the Worker?

The Immigration Skills Charge must be paid by the employer. It cannot be passed to the worker directly or indirectly.

The visa application fee and immigration health surcharge are technically the worker's responsibility, but many employers cover them as part of their offer. This is a commercial decision.

For More Information

See our guides on assigning a CoS, employer responsibilities, and sponsor duties for the complete picture of what sponsorship involves.

For information on hiring EU nationals, see our guide on employing EU nationals after Brexit.

Further Resources

See the latest fees at GOV.UK. See also our guides on civil penalties, curtailment, right to work, and the 60-day rule.