In a recent development, the United Kingdom (UK) government has rolled out a substantial increase in fees associated with visa applications and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Surcharge. Navigating the intricate web of costs tied to various visa categories can be a daunting task for both overseas workers and sponsor license employers. This article serves as an invaluable resource by offering an extensive breakdown of expenses linked to the UK’s Skilled Worker visa, encompassing fees for dependents and sponsor license charges. Furthermore, it provides a comparison with the existing fee structure and highlights the financial implications for both small and large companies sponsoring foreign workers.
Overview of UK Visas and Immigration Fees
The landscape of UK visas and immigration costs is multifaceted, involving an array of charges for both immigrants and sponsoring employers. The most prominent fees include the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and the National Health Service (NHS) Health Surcharge, commonly known as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Primary Applicant Fees
For the primary applicant, such as a Skilled Worker, several fees apply. Employers applying for a sponsor license must remit an application fee to the Home Office. This fee stands at £1,476 for larger organizations and £536 for smaller organizations or charitable entities. This fee is applicable for an unlimited number of employees over a four-year duration.
Additionally, the assignment of each Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) now incurs an increased fee of £239, up from the previous £199. In most cases, employers must also cover the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). The overall cost of assigning a 3-year CoS certificate remains unchanged at £1,331 for small sponsors and £3,239 for larger sponsors.
Furthermore, Skilled Worker visa application fees have been revised, currently standing at £719 per applicant. It’s crucial to note that each dependent family member must also pay the same fees. Furthermore, the NHS Health Surcharge must be factored in, with adults being charged £624 per year for their visa and minors under 18 now paying £470 per year.
Dependent Fees
In cases where a Skilled Worker visa holder intends to bring their spouse or children to the UK, separate applications are required. The costs for dependents in a Skilled Worker visa application mirror those of the primary applicant. Visa costs for dependents now start at £719, depending on individual circumstances. The NHS Surcharge applies similarly, with a cost of £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for minors. The duration of dependants’ visas aligns with that of the main applicant.
Breakdown of Skilled Worker Visa Costs for Different Company Sizes
The size of the sponsoring company significantly influences the expenses associated with sponsoring a Skilled Worker. The following sections offer a detailed cost breakdown for both small and large companies.
Small Companies
Small businesses and charitable organizations benefit from reduced ISC fees of £364 per year for each CoS and a lower sponsor license application fee of £536.
Large Companies
On the other hand, medium and large organizations are subject to an annual fee of £1,000 for each CoS for the ISC. Additionally, they must pay an initial sponsor license application fee of £1,476. The ISC fee is payable when assigning a CoS certificate to a migrant worker.
Breakdown of Skilled Worker Visa Costs for Different Visa Types
The UK government offers various work visas, each with its unique set of fees and prerequisites. The following sections provide an in-depth analysis of costs for different visa categories, including the Health and Care visa and the Shortage Occupation visa.
Health and Care Visa
Main applicants and dependents applying for the Health and Care visa are exempt from IHS fees.
In addition to visa fees, certain circumstances allow for the recovery of fees, such as the Immigration Skills Charge and Immigration Health Surcharge. These instances typically arise when a visa application is refused or when the applicant departs before the visa’s full duration. Other scenarios may also enable applicants to seek fee refunds from the Home Office, such as withdrawing an application before a decision is reached.
Examples of Fees that will need to be paid:
Sponsor Licence Fees:
- Small Companies and Charities: £536
- Larger Companies: £1,476
3-Year Visa Costs (Note: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) apply to main applicants only)
For Small Companies and Charities (Health and Care Visa Applicants):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £284
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,092 (£364 x 3 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Exempt
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £1,615
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £284
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £284
For Small Companies and Charities (Skilled Worker Non-Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £719
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,092 (£364 x 3 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £1,872 (£624 x 3 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £1,410 (£470 x 3 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £3,922
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £2,700
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,238
For Small Companies and Charities (Skilled Worker Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £551
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,092 (£364 x 3 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £1,872 (£624 x 3 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £1,410 (£470 x 3 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £3,754
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £2,532
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,070
5-Year Visa Costs (Note: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) apply to main applicants only)
For Small Companies and Charities (Health and Care Visa Applicants):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £551
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,820 (£364 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Exempt
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £2,610
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £551
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £551
For Small Companies and Charities (Skilled Worker Non-Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £1,500
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,820 (£364 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £3,120 (£624 x 5 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £2,350 (£470 x 5 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £6,679
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £4,620
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,901
For Small Companies and Charities (Skilled Worker Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £1,084
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,820 (£364 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £3,120 (£624 x 5 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £2,350 (£470 x 5 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £6,263
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £4,204
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,485
5-Year Visa Costs for Larger Companies
(Note: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) apply to main applicants only)
Sponsor Licence Fees:
- Larger Companies: £1,476
For Larger Companies (Health and Care Visa Applicants):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £551
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £5,000 (£1,000 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Exempt
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £5,790
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £551
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £551
For Larger Companies (Skilled Worker Non-Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £1,500
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £5,000 (£1,000 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £3,120 (£624 x 5 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £2,350 (£470 x 5 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £9,859
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £4,620
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,901
For Larger Companies (Skilled Worker Shortage):
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £239 (Main Applicant only)
- Visa Application Fee: £1,084
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £5,000 (£1,000 x 5 years, Main Applicant only)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Adults: £3,120 (£624 x 5 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Minors: £2,350 (£470 x 5 years)
- Total Cost for Main Applicant: £9,443
- Total Cost for Adult Dependent: £4,204
- Total Cost for Minor Dependent: £2,485
Conclusion
Comprehending the diverse costs associated with the UK’s Skilled Worker visa is of paramount importance for both foreign workers and sponsoring employers. This comprehensive analysis provides an exhaustive overview of these costs, including those for dependents and sponsor license fees. It also offers a comparison with the existing fee structure and outlines the financial implications for small and large companies sponsoring foreign workers. Armed with this knowledge, employers and prospective migrants can make well-informed decisions regarding the financial aspects of the Skilled Worker visa.
