How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026?

A Skilled Worker visa costs between £719 and £1,500 in application fees depending on the duration and job type. The total cost including IHS ranges from approximately £3,500 to £8,000+ for a 3-year visa.

Who pays for the Skilled Worker visa - the worker or the employer?

Legally, the applicant is responsible for the visa fee and IHS. However, many employers choose to pay some or all of the costs as part of their sponsorship package. The employer must pay for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the sponsor licence.

What is the Certificate of Sponsorship fee?

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) costs £239 per worker. This fee is paid by the employer. The employer must also hold a valid sponsor licence, which costs £536 for small businesses or £1,476 for medium and large businesses.

Is the Skilled Worker visa cheaper for shortage occupation jobs?

Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) may qualify for reduced application fees. The visa fee for these roles can be lower, and the salary threshold may also be reduced.

How much is the IHS for a Skilled Worker visa?

The Immigration Health Surcharge for a Skilled Worker visa is £1,035 per year. For a 3-year visa, this is £3,105. For a 5-year visa, it is £5,175. This must be paid upfront.

What are the costs to extend a Skilled Worker visa?

Extending a Skilled Worker visa costs the same application fee as a new application (£719-£1,500 depending on duration), plus IHS for the extension period. You also need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.

Skilled Worker Visa Cost 2026: Full Breakdown

The Skilled Worker visa is one of the most popular UK work visa routes, but the costs can be significant. The worker pays the application fee and IHS, while the employer covers the sponsor licence and Certificate of Sponsorship. This guide breaks down every cost for both parties in 2026.

Who Pays What?

The costs of a Skilled Worker visa (see the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker page) are split between the worker and the employer. Understanding who pays what is important for both parties.

The worker typically pays:

The visa application fee.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
English language test fees (if needed).
Biometric fees (if applicable).

The employer must pay:

The sponsor licence fee.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee.
The Immigration Skills Charge.

In practice, many employers choose to cover some or all of the worker's costs as well, especially when recruiting for hard-to-fill roles. This is a matter for negotiation between the worker and employer.

Visa Application Fee

The Skilled Worker visa application fee depends on the length of the visa and whether the job is on the Immigration Salary List:

Up to 3 years: £719
More than 3 years: £1,500

If the job is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), the fees may be reduced:

Up to 3 years (shortage occupation): £551
More than 3 years (shortage occupation): £1,084

These fees are paid when you submit your application, either online or at a visa application centre. They are non-refundable. Check the current fee schedule on GOV.UK for the latest figures.

Immigration Health Surcharge

The IHS is £1,035 per year for Skilled Worker visa holders. This must be paid upfront for the entire visa duration.

3-year visa: £3,105
5-year visa: £5,175

The IHS gives you access to the NHS on the same basis as a UK resident. If your visa is refused or you leave the UK early, you can claim a refund of the unused portion.

Employer Costs

Sponsor Licence: £536 or £1,476

Before an employer can sponsor a Skilled Worker, they must hold a valid sponsor licence. The licence costs:

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

A sponsor licence is valid for 4 years and covers all workers the employer sponsors during that period.

Certificate of Sponsorship: £239

The employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each worker they sponsor. Each CoS costs £239. This is a mandatory fee that must be paid by the employer (it cannot legally be passed on to the worker).

Immigration Skills Charge: £364 or £1,000 per year

The employer must also pay the Immigration Skills Charge:

Small or charitable sponsors: £364 per year
Medium or large sponsors: £1,000 per year

For a 3-year visa, this means the employer pays £1,092 (small) or £3,000 (medium/large) in Immigration Skills Charges alone. This charge is designed to fund training for UK workers.

Total Cost Examples

Example 1: Standard 3-Year Visa

Application fee: £719
IHS (3 years): £3,105
English test: £175
Worker total: ~£4,000

CoS: £239
Immigration Skills Charge (3 years, large employer): £3,000
Employer total: ~£3,239

Combined total: ~£7,239

Example 2: 5-Year Visa (Shortage Occupation)

Application fee: £1,084
IHS (5 years): £5,175
English test: £175
Worker total: ~£6,434

CoS: £239
Immigration Skills Charge (5 years, small employer): £1,820
Employer total: ~£2,059

Combined total: ~£8,493

Extension and ILR Costs

If you extend your Skilled Worker visa, you pay the application fee and IHS again for the new period. You also need a new CoS from your employer.

After 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for ILR (£2,885). The employer does not need to pay the Immigration Skills Charge for the ILR application.

The full journey from Skilled Worker visa to British citizenship can cost the worker £15,000 or more in total government fees over 6+ years.

For the salary requirements alongside these costs, see our Skilled Worker salary threshold guide and our Skilled Worker requirements guide.

For a broader view of all UK visa costs, see our UK visa fees guide and hidden costs of immigration guide.