Cheapest work visas — 2026 comparison of indicative fees
Government fees are only one component of total cost — employer NHS/IHS surcharges, English-language testing, biometrics, and professional fees all add up. The table below compares the headline government fee declared by each destination for its main work-visa route.
| Destination | Route | Indicative govt fee | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Republic of Germany | Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) | Visa application around €75; residence permit fee on conversion. | work-unsponsored |
| Republic of Ireland | Critical Skills Employment Permit | Permit fee €1,000 for 2 years (often paid by employer). Verify on DETE website. | work-sponsored |
| Portuguese Republic | D3 visa (highly qualified activity) | €90 visa; €170 residence permit. | work-sponsored |
| United States of America | EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant) | I-140 USD 715; I-485 Adjustment of Status USD 1,440; premium processing USD 2,805. | skilled-migration |
| United States of America | EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) | I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; premium processing USD 2,805. | skilled-migration |
| United States of America | EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers | I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; PERM filed electronically with DOL (no USCIS fee). | skilled-migration |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | From AUD 4,770 principal. | work-sponsored |
| Federal Republic of Germany | EU Blue Card (Germany) | Visa application €75; residence permit €100 on issuance; further fees on extension. | work-sponsored |
| Kingdom of the Netherlands | EU Blue Card (Netherlands) | Approximately €350+. | work-sponsored |
| Canada | Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | CAD 1,525 principal applicant (includes RPRF); plus CAD 825 per dependant child and CAD 825 spouse. | skilled-migration |
| Canada | Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | CAD 1,525 principal applicant. | skilled-migration |
| Canada | Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | CAD 1,525 principal applicant (includes RPRF). | skilled-migration |
| Federal Republic of Germany | Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG) | Residence permit €100; business registration separate. | work-unsponsored |
| Republic of Ireland | General Employment Permit | €1,000 for 2 years. | work-sponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Global Talent visa | Endorsement fee plus visa fee (two-stage); Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. See GOV.UK for current figures. | work-unsponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Graduate visa | Application fee (£880 as of recent cycles) plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK. | work-unsponsored |
| United States of America | H-1B Specialty Occupation | I-129 base USD 780 (for most employers), plus ACWIA (USD 750/1,500), fraud prevention (USD 500), asylum program fee (USD 600), plus USD 215 registration. Premium processing USD 2,805. | work-sponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Health and Care Worker visa | Reduced application fee versus standard Skilled Worker; Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. Check GOV.UK for the current fee schedule. | work-sponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | High Potential Individual visa | Application fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year. Verify on GOV.UK. | work-unsponsored |
| Kingdom of Spain | Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit | Employer and employee fees apply; TIE fee additional. | work-sponsored |
| Kingdom of the Netherlands | Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant) | Approximately €380+ per application; sponsor also pays a one-off recognised-sponsor registration. | work-sponsored |
| Federal Republic of Germany | Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) | €75 visa fee. | work-unsponsored |
| Commonwealth of Australia | National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) | Variable; verify Home Affairs. | work-unsponsored |
| United States of America | O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement | I-129 base USD 1,055 (most employers), plus asylum program fee (USD 600). Premium processing USD 2,805. | work-sponsored |
| Kingdom of the Netherlands | Orientation year (Zoekjaar) | Approximately €220. | work-unsponsored |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | CAD 255 (work permit plus open work permit holder fee). | work-unsponsored |
| Canada | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | Provincial fees vary; federal fees as for Express Entry. | skilled-migration |
| Federal Republic of Germany | Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) | Visa and residence permit fees as for other employment routes. | work-sponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Scale-up visa | Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year. Verify current on GOV.UK. | work-sponsored |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | From AUD 4,640 principal. | skilled-migration |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | From AUD 4,640 principal. | skilled-migration |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) | From AUD 4,640 principal. | skilled-migration |
| Federal Republic of Germany | Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) | Visa €75; residence permit €100. | work-sponsored |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Skilled Worker visa | Application fee (£719–£1,639 depending on duration and occupation list status), Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year), plus sponsor's Certificate of Sponsorship fee. Always confirm current fees on GOV.UK. | work-sponsored |
| Commonwealth of Australia | Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) | From AUD 3,115 base for principal applicant (verify). | work-sponsored |
| United States of America | TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) | Canadians at POE USD 56 filing. Mexicans DS-160 USD 185. I-129 change of status USD 1,015. | work-sponsored |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE Employment (Standard Residence) visa | Paid by employer; approximately AED 5,000–7,000 in total. | work-sponsored |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE freelance permit with residence | Permit costs AED 7,500+ depending on authority. | work-unsponsored |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE Green Visa | AED 2,000+ plus medical and Emirates ID. | work-unsponsored |
Every row links to a visa page where the underlying primary source and last-reviewed date are shown.