Fees & Costs · 6 min read
How Much Does a UK Skilled Worker Visa Cost in Total? 2026 Breakdown
Complete cost breakdown for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026 — application fee, IHS, employer costs, priority service, and a worked example for a 3-year visa with one dependant.
The headline visa application fee is rarely the largest cost of a UK Skilled Worker visa. For most applicants, the Immigration Health Surcharge — paid upfront for the full visa duration — is the bigger number. This guide gives you a complete worked example of the total cost for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa with one dependant, as of April 2026.
Worked example: 3-year Skilled Worker visa, 1 adult dependant, applying from outside UK
| Cost item | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (main applicant, up to 3 years, outside UK) | Applicant | £819 |
| Visa application fee (dependant) | Applicant | £819 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (main applicant, 3 years × £1,035) | Applicant | £3,105 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (dependant, 3 years × £1,035) | Applicant | £3,105 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee | Employer | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (large sponsor, 3 years × £1,320) | Employer | £3,960 |
| Total applicant cost | £7,848 | |
| Total employer cost | £4,485 | |
| Combined total | £12,333 |
This does not include priority service (£500 if used), biometric appointment fees, or the Ecctis qualification verification fee for certain applicants. Add a 10–15% contingency for these ancillary costs.
The Immigration Health Surcharge explained
The IHS is paid upfront at the time of application for the full duration of the visa. At £1,035 per person per year, a 3-year application for two people costs £6,210 in IHS alone.
Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the IHS — one of the most significant financial advantages of that route for NHS and care sector workers.
The IHS is non-refundable if your application is refused. The visa application fee is also non-refundable in most circumstances.
The Immigration Skills Charge — employer only
The ISC cannot legally be passed on to the sponsored worker. An employer who recovers the ISC from a sponsored worker's salary is in breach of their sponsor licence conditions.
Small sponsors (fewer than 50 employees or annual turnover under £10.2m) pay a reduced rate of £480 per year rather than £1,320. Charities pay the small sponsor rate regardless of size.
Can employers pay the applicant's visa costs?
Yes — employers can choose to pay the visa application fee and IHS on behalf of the applicant. This is common practice for senior hires and is not prohibited. If the employer pays, these costs are typically treated as a taxable benefit for the employee.
5-year visa cost comparison
| Cost item | 3-year visa | 5-year visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (outside UK, main applicant) | £819 | £1,618 |
| IHS (main applicant only) | £3,105 | £5,175 |
| ISC (large sponsor) | £3,960 | £6,600 |
For the full fee schedule across all visa types, see our UK visa fees 2026 breakdown.
Last verified: May 2026. All fees correct as of 8 April 2026. Verify current fees at GOV.UK before submitting any application.
VisaVault is a document preparation service, not an immigration adviser or solicitor. This article is based on current UKVI published guidance and is intended for general information only. Requirements change without notice. Always verify current requirements on GOV.UK before submitting your application.