How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026: who pays what
Standard Skilled Worker visa for 3 years from outside the UK — from £4,143 (£819 visa + £3,105 IHS + £19.20 biometrics + £200 English test). For a family with a spouse and child for 5 years — £18,000–25,000 upfront. The employer pays their £3,500–8,800 for a 5-year sponsorship. Since 31 December 2024 — ISC, CoS fee and sponsor licence are prohibited from being passed to the worker (sponsor guidance SK11.12/L6.17).
What the applicant pays (application from outside the UK)
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee — standard ≤3 years (out of UK) | £819 | From 8 April 2026 |
| Visa fee — standard >3 years (out of UK) | £1,618 | From 8 April 2026 |
| Visa fee — ISL ≤3 years (out of UK) | £628 | ISL = Temporary Shortage List discount |
| Visa fee — ISL >3 years (out of UK) | £1,235 | |
| Visa fee — in-country ≤3 years | £943 | Change / extension inside the UK |
| Visa fee — in-country >3 years | £1,865 | |
| Health & Care visa ≤3 years (out of UK) | £324 | Reduced fee for H&C route |
| Health & Care visa >3 years (out of UK) | £628 | |
| IHS — adult | £1,035/year | Paid for the whole visa period in advance |
| IHS — child / student | £776/year | |
| Health & Care: IHS | Exempt | Main applicant + all dependants on H&C do not pay IHS |
| Biometrics | £19.20 | Fingerprints + photo |
| English test (if needed) | £200–£250 | IELTS / Trinity — if you do not have a suitable degree |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 | 5 working days instead of ~3 weeks |
| Super-priority service (optional) | £1,000 | Next working day |
| Travel + first month | £2,500–£5,000 | Realistic estimate: flights, deposit, housing |
What the sponsor (employer) pays
| Item | Small / charitable | Medium / large |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence fee (every 4 years) | £611 | £1,682 |
| CoS assignment fee (per worker) | £525 | |
| ISC — first 12 months | £480 | £1,320 |
| ISC — each extra 6 months | £240 | £660 |
| ISC total for a 5-year visa | £2,400 | £6,600 |
| Total sponsor cost for 5 years (1 worker) | ~£3,500 | ~£8,800 |
ISC rates started on 16 December 2025 (+32% from previous). Dependants do not pay ISC — only the main worker.
Who must pay what — by law
- Their visa fee
- IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge — for themselves and dependants)
- Biometric fee £19.20
- Optional priority service
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) — direct quote from gov.uk: «Your licence may be revoked if you ask the sponsored worker to pay the fee.»
- CoS fee £525 — it is illegal to pass this to the worker since 31 December 2024 (sponsor guidance)
- Sponsor licence fee — it is illegal to pass this to the worker since 31 December 2024
Clawback clauses — what is legal
Any attempt to charge a worker for a visa (CoS, ISC, sponsor licence) is an exploitation indicator under UK law. This is potentially a crime under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (maximum penalty: life imprisonment). Source: Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA)
If you are being forced to pay — report to Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (24/7, free).
Typical pattern of violation — protective content
The sponsor deducts £3,000–£10,000 from salary under the name "training fees", "relocation cost" or "company loan". This is an illegal way to pass the Skills Charge to you. According to the Home Office, this is one of the main reasons for revoking a sponsor licence in 2024–2026.
If you see this practice — report it to Fair Work Agency (FWA): gov.uk/fair-work-agency. More details: page about scams →
Realistic totals
IHS refund — when possible
If the visa is refused or the application is withdrawn — IHS is refunded in full.
If the visa is granted for a shorter period than you paid for — the difference is refunded proportionally.
A worker in the H&C sector can apply for a refund of IHS for periods of qualifying work of 6+ months — even if IHS was paid by mistake.