For a licensed employer sponsoring a Skilled Worker for five years, the Immigration Skills Charge and Certificate of Sponsorship alone total £2,925 for a small or charitable sponsor and £7,125 for a medium or large sponsor. These figures exclude the sponsor licence fee because an already licensed employer does not pay that fee again for each worker.
The worker normally pays their own visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge unless the employer chooses to cover them. For most Skilled Workers, the usual salary requirement is at least £41,700 a year or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher, although lower salary options and different rules apply in specified circumstances.
The worker-side costs
From 8 April 2026, the principal application fees are:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa, outside UK, up to 3 years | £819 |
| Skilled Worker visa, outside UK, over 3 years | £1,618 |
| Skilled Worker visa, in-country, up to 3 years | £943 |
| Skilled Worker visa, in-country, over 3 years | £1,865 |
| Health and Care Visa, up to 3 years | £324 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, most adults, per year | £1,035 |
| Indefinite leave to remain | £3,226 |
| Naturalisation application | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 |
| Naturalisation plus standard ceremony | £1,839 |
Eligible Health and Care Visa applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. For other routes, the IHS is calculated according to the period of permission and charged in six-month blocks where necessary.
The costs employers can overlook
For a five-year CoS, the Immigration Skills Charge is £2,400 for a small or charitable sponsor and £6,600 for a medium or large sponsor. It is paid upfront when the CoS is assigned.
Salary can be an even larger commitment. If the role must be paid £46,000 instead of £38,000, that £8,000 annual difference becomes £40,000 over five years.
Sponsors should also pay close attention to payroll compliance. The Home Office uses PAYE information to check with HMRC that sponsored workers are being paid appropriately. Current Skilled Worker rules also require the going rate to be met for every hour worked in each pay period, with additional tests applying over three-month or 12-week periods. Getting Certificates of Sponsorship right at the assignment stage therefore matters throughout the sponsorship period.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask the worker to repay the sponsor licence or Skills Charge?
Generally, no. Sponsor guidance prohibits recovery of specified sponsor licence fees, relevant Skilled Worker CoS fees and the Immigration Skills Charge from sponsored workers. Attempting to recoup prohibited charges can normally lead to licence revocation. See the GOV.UK sponsorship guidance.
Is the Immigration Skills Charge refundable?
Yes, in specified circumstances. A full refund can apply if the visa is refused or withdrawn, or the worker does not start work. A partial refund can apply if the worker receives a shorter visa, changes sponsor or leaves before the CoS end date.
Is sponsorship always the right route?
No. Someone who qualifies for a UK Ancestry visa does not need employer sponsorship. Business owners sometimes consider what is commonly described as the self sponsorship route, while graduates should check Graduate visa switch timing.
When does the sponsorship cost stop?
A worker who obtains indefinite leave to remain in the UK no longer needs Skilled Worker sponsorship. Some people may qualify through the long residence visa route. British citizenship by naturalisation may follow later for eligible settled individuals, but citizenship is not required to end sponsorship.
Before making an offer, price the full sponsorship period rather than only the first application. Speak to our UK immigration consultants on 07704 909490 or email sean@hedgleyimmigration.co.uk.