Skilled Worker Route Sponsorship Costs A Comprehensive Guide for UK Companies
                     5/10/24, 3:22 Skilled Worker Route Sponsorship Costs for UK 
PM Companies
UK Immigration Law Firm | +91 
9819127002
Skilled Worker Route 
Sponsorship  Costs: A  
Comprehensive Guide for  UK 
C4 moimn Rpeaad nies
–  UK Sponsor Licence consultant in India –  Mumbai, 
Delhi  & Bengaluru
In this article we have covered these important 
points:
1. Introduction
2. What  is UK visa sponsorship?
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3. Sponsorship licence application fee to employ skilled 
workers
4. Small businesses & charities sponsor licence
5. Large business sponsor licence
6. Certi cate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fees
7. Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
8. Priority Fees for sponsor license application
9. After the sponsor license is granted
10. Visa application fees
11. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Introduction
If you are an employer who wants to sponsor a foreign worker, you should be aware of the costs involved in 
the skilled  worker visa process. You wi l l  have to pay different fees at different stages of the sponsorship, 
both for the initial application  and for the on-going visa process.
This article explains the various expenses that you wi l l  incur as an employer when you hire workers on a 
skilled worker  visa in 2024, which replaced the Tier 2 visa.
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What  is UK visa sponsorship?
UK visa sponsorship is a process that allows UK employers to hire workers from outside the UK. To be a 
sponsor,  organizations or employers in the UK wi l l  need to have a sponsor license by the UK Visas and 
Immigration (UKVI). Getting  this license involves meeting certain requirements, like showing a commitment 
to following immigration rules and proving  they can handle the responsibilities of being a sponsor.
A guide to essentials –  how to apply for a Sponsor Licence for UK 
employers
Sponsorship licence application fee to employ skilled workers
UK employers are required to hold a valid sponsor license to employ non-UK resident workers through 
most work visa  routes. Being a sponsor license holder entails costs that need to be considered in 
recruitment and on-going employment  budgets.
The Home Offi ce implements a tiered fee system for sponsorship license applications.
Small businesses & charities sponsor licence
According to the Home Of ce, an organization is considered a small company if it meets at least two of 
the following  criteria:
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1. The company’s turnover is no more than £10.2 million.
2. The company’s balance sheet total is no more than £5.1 million.
3. The company has no more than 50 employees.
If a business falls within the de nition of a small business or is a charity, it wi l l  pay the small company 
application fee,  which is £536.
Large business sponsor licence
If a company does not meet the criteria speci ed by the Home Of ce of a small business, it wi l l  be 
categorized as a larger  business, and the corresponding application fee wi l l  be £1,476.
Certic ate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fees
Upon obtaining a Sponsor Licence, a company is obligated to issue a  Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each 
sponsored  worker. Presently, the fee for a CoS stands at £239 per certi cate, regardless of whether it is a 
 Defined  Certificate of  Sponsorship for entry clearance or an Unde ned Certi cate of Sponsorship for leave 
to remain in the UK.
The precise and accurate assignment of CoS is crucial to avoid unnecessary expenditure and potential 
refusals in visa  applications. Incorrectly assigning a CoS type not only increases the risk of visa application 
https:/r/semjaertcmtoivoen2usk .cbomu/tsk aillelds-owo prkeur-trosu tte-hspeon  socroshmip-cpoastsn-fyor -uakt-  risk of failing to comply with sponsor duties, which may, in turn, 4/14
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lead to the suspension or revocation of the
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sponsor license. It’s noteworthy that if there are changes in a skilled worker’s job code, they may 
necessitate an additional  CoS to continue their employment with the same company. This underscores the 
signi cance of meticulous attention to  CoS details to ensure a smooth and compliant sponsorship process.
know important facts about Sponsor Licence 
Suspension
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee mandated by the UK government for employers sponsoring skilled 
workers from  abroad. Its primary aim is to prompt employers to invest in local workforce training, reducing 
reliance on migrant labor. This  charge is applied on a per-employee basis and is paid upfront when issuing a 
Certi cate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the  sponsored worker. The fee amount varies based on the employer’s size 
and nature:
1. Small or charitable organizations: £364 per sponsored worker per year.
2. Medium to large organizations: £1,000 per sponsored worker per year.
Certain exceptions, such as students switching or speci c job codes for skilled workers, may be exempt 
from this fee.  Notably, unlike most charges, the Immigration Skills Charge must be covered by the 
employing company.
https:/T/shmearrtmeo’vse 2au kp.cooms/sskiilbleidl-iwtoyrk eor-fro uptea-srptoinasolr srheipf-cuonstsd-fsor -iufk -the sponsored migrant doesn’t complete the full  CoS duration, 5/14
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experiences visa  application issues, or doesn’t come to work for the sponsoring company.
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Priority Fees for sponsor license application
Businesses have the option to expedite the processing of sponsor licence applications or in-year Certi cate of 
Sponsorship  (CoS) allocations within the UK by choosing priority processing services. The pre-licence 
priority sponsor licence service  enables a quicker processing time, typically within 10 working days, in 
exchange for a fee of £500 per request.
After the sponsor license is granted
After you get your sponsor license, additional costs may arise, and these can be covered either by the 
company or the  applicant.
Visa application fees
The visa application fees differ depending on the duration of the Certi cate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the job 
category,  including whether it falls under the shortage occupation list. As of January 2024, the visa 
application fees per person are as  follows:
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CoS valid up to Cos valid up to 
In – country applications
3  years 3+  years
Skilled Worker (and any dependants) £827 £1,636
Skilled Worker with Shortage Occupation CoS 
£551 £1,084
(and any  dependants)
Health and Care visa (and any dependants) £284 £551
Health and Care visa Shortage Occupation CoS 
£284 £551
(and any  dependants)
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CoS valid up to Cos valid up to 
Entry clearance applications
3  years 3+  years
Skilled Worker (and any dependants) £719 £1,420
Skilled Worker with Shortage Occupation CoS 
£551 £1,084
(and any  dependants)
Health and Care visa (and any dependants) £284 £551
Health and Care visa Shortage Occupation CoS 
£284 £551
(and any  dependants)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Applicants for visas with a duration exceeding 6 months are subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge 
(IHS) fee. As of  today, these fees stand at:
Most adult migrants: £ 1,035 per year
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Students and individuals on the Youth Mobility Scheme: £ 776 
per year  Children under 18: £ 776 per year
How The SmartMove2UK can help?
We are expert UK immigration lawyers, bringing extensive experience and acknowledged pro ciency in 
guiding employers  through the sponsorship regime, facilitating recruitment from overseas to ful l l  their 
talent requirements.
Leveraging our profound understanding of the sponsorship process, we  offer a comprehensive evaluation of 
skilled worker  visa costs and the broader impacts on your organization when sponsoring migrant workers. 
For specialized immigration  guidance, feel free to get in touch with us.
+91 9819127002 +91 9819127002
Book your Consultation [email protected]
Our branches of UK Immigration Law Firm in 
India
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