United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Skilled Worker visa fees
The UK Skilled Worker visa costs around £3,900 in government fees for a single applicant on a 3-year grant at the general rate, dominated by the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge.
Headline total
£3,903.20
Single applicant, 3-year CoS, general rate, 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, Shortage Occupation List) Applies where the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List. General rate is higher. | £551 | Optional |
Application fee (up to 3 years, outside UK, general) | £769 | Yes |
Application fee (more than 3 years, outside UK, general) Used when CoS duration exceeds 3 years. Choose one of the two tiers, not both. | £1,519 | Optional |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Reduced to £776/year for students and under-18s. Paid upfront as a lump sum. | £1,035per year of leave, per person | Yes |
Certificate of Sponsorship fee Paid by the sponsor at CoS assignment. Usually embedded in the job offer. | £239 | Yes |
Biometric enrolment | £19.20 | Yes |
Priority service (optional) Targets a 5-working-day decision from abroad (subject to availability). | £500 | Optional |
Super-priority service (optional, in-country only) Targets next-working-day decision. Not available at every VAC. | £1,000 | Optional |
Worked example
Single applicant, 3-year CoS, general rate, no priority — £3,903.20
- £769 application fee
- £3,105 IHS (£1,035 × 3 years)
- £19.20 biometrics
- Plus £239 CoS fee (typically borne by the sponsor)
Dependant fees
Each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant plus their own IHS at £1,035/year (or £776/year if under 18).
Dependant rights are narrowed for the Health and Care Worker care-sector subset and for some student sponsors — verify eligibility on GOV.UK before assuming dependants are permitted.
Why fees change
IHS rose 66% on 6 February 2024. Application-fee bands were restructured in April 2025. Always confirm the current figures on GOV.UK before budgeting.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa fees
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost in government fees?
The UK Skilled Worker visa costs around £3,900 in government fees for a single applicant on a 3-year grant at the general rate, dominated by the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge. The worked example assumes single applicant, 3-year cos, general rate, no priority, totalling £3,903.20. 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 rose 66% on 6 February 2024. Application-fee bands were restructured in April 2025. Always confirm the current figures on GOV.UK before budgeting.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant plus their own IHS at £1,035/year (or £776/year if under 18).