United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Health and Care Worker visa fees
The UK Health and Care Worker visa costs roughly £320 for a single applicant on a 3-year grant — dramatically cheaper than the general Skilled Worker route because IHS is waived.
Headline total
£323.20
Single care-sector applicant, 3-year CoS, no priority
Currency
GBP (Pound sterling)
Last checked
20 April 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Application fee (up to 3 years, outside UK) Reduced rate — around 60% lower than the general Skilled Worker fee. | £304 | Yes |
Application fee (more than 3 years, outside UK) | £608 | Optional |
Immigration Health Surcharge Health and Care Worker applicants are exempt from IHS — a major reason this route is cheaper than general Skilled Worker. | £0per year | Yes |
Certificate of Sponsorship fee | £239 | Yes |
Biometric enrolment | £19.20 | Yes |
Worked example
Single care-sector applicant, 3-year CoS, no priority — £323.20
- £304 application fee
- £0 IHS (exempt on this route)
- £19.20 biometrics
- Plus £239 CoS fee (sponsor-paid)
Dependant fees
Dependant entry was narrowed for new care-worker and senior-care-worker applications on 11 March 2024. New applicants in those SOC codes generally cannot bring partners or children.
Dependants already present on a prior grant retain their permission. Non-care-subset Health and Care Worker applicants (e.g. nurses, doctors) can still bring dependants on the usual terms.
Why fees change
IHS exemption remains intact at this review date but has been publicly debated. The 11 March 2024 dependant-ban for care workers remains in force.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa
https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Health and Care Worker visa cost in government fees?
The UK Health and Care Worker visa costs roughly £320 for a single applicant on a 3-year grant — dramatically cheaper than the general Skilled Worker route because IHS is waived. The worked example assumes single care-sector applicant, 3-year cos, no priority, totalling £323.20. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
IHS exemption remains intact at this review date but has been publicly debated. The 11 March 2024 dependant-ban for care workers remains in force.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Dependant entry was narrowed for new care-worker and senior-care-worker applications on 11 March 2024. New applicants in those SOC codes generally cannot bring partners or children.