UK Visa Fee & IHS Calculator 2026: What Will Your Application Really Cost?
Enter your details to get an instant, itemised breakdown of your UK Skilled Worker visa costs - including the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), Certificate of Sponsorship and professional fees. Most employers save £2,000–£6,000 after a WorkPermitCloud route review.
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IHS & VISA APPLICATION FEE CALCULATOR
I need to know what a Skilled Worker hire will actually cost
Calculate the true cost of sponsoring a worker - IHS, visa fees, ISF, CoS, dependants, the lot. Get an itemised PDF breakdown emailed to you.
Application Type
Why UK visa costs are higher than you think
Exactly what you'll receive
Applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa involves far more than a single application fee. Employers and workers frequently underestimate the true cost because the charges come from four separate sources: the Home Office visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) paid by the sponsor, and the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assignment fee.
- 1
Home Office Visa Fee
£284–£1,751
Per person. Varies by route, location (inside/outside UK), and duration (≤3yr or >3yr).
- 2
Immigration Health Surcharge
£1,035/yr
Adult rate. £776/yr for minors. Paid upfront for entire visa duration. Health & Care Visa exempt.
- 3
Immigration Skills Charge
£611–£1,682/yr
Employer pays annually. Small / charity = £611/yr. Medium/large = £1,682/yr. PhD roles often exempt.
- 4
Certificate of Sponsorship
£525
One-time fee paid by employer to assign CoS before visa application.
Following the Home Office immigration fee update of 8 April 2026, accurate fee planning is more important than ever. Use our free calculator above to get your personalised estimate, then speak to our advisers to explore legally permitted savings.
Why UK visa costs are higher than you think
Current UK visa fee structure
The full Skilled Worker fee schedule as of 8 April 2026. The calculator above will return your exact figure.
| Visa Route | Outside UK ≤3yr | Outside UK >3yr | Inside UK ≤3yr | Inside UK >3yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Skilled Worker | £769 | £1,519 | £885 | £1,751 |
| Immigration Salary List | £590 | £1,160 | £590 | £1,160 |
| Health & Care Visa | £284 | £551 | £284 | £551 |
Source: GOV.UK - Skilled Worker visa: How much it costs. Fees correct as of 8 April 2026.
Understanding IHS & ISC
The two big upfront charges
Together IHS and ISC can exceed the visa fee itself. Here is how they work.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Paid by the applicant - grants NHS access
The IHS must be paid upfront for the full visa duration before submission. Charged in 6-month blocks - any part-block rounds up to a full one.
- Adult (18+)
- £1,035 / year
- Child (under 18)
- £776 / year
- 3.5-year visa example: rounds up to 4 years = £1,035 × 4 = £4,140 per adult
- Each dependant pays IHS at the applicable rate
- Health & Care Visa applicants are usually exempt entirely
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
Paid by the sponsor - cannot be passed on
The ISC is paid annually when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship. It is illegal to pass this cost to the sponsored worker - doing so can result in sponsor licence revocation.
- Small / charity sponsor
- £611 / year
- Medium / large sponsor
- £1,682 / year
- Paid in full upfront for the expected visa duration
- Charged in 6-month blocks - same rounding rules as IHS
- Passing to the worker can trigger a licence revocation
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Paid by the sponsor - per worker assigned
Before assigning a CoS, the employer must ensure their sponsor licence is active and the role meets eligibility criteria. The CoS is the unique reference number assigned to each worker - used by them to apply for their visa. There is also a separate defined CoS allocation process for workers not yet in the UK.
- Active sponsor licence required
- Defined CoS for workers outside UK
- Issued via SMS portal
£525
per worker assigned
Real-world scenario
A worked example
Here's what a typical family sponsorship costs in practice.
Scenario: 3-year Standard Skilled Worker · Outside UK · Large Sponsor
Worker + 1 adult dependant + 1 minor dependant · Full WPC package
Visa Application Fee
outside UK, >3yr, std
£1,519
IHS - Lead Applicant
£1,035 × 3yrs
£3,105
IHS - 1 Adult Dependant
£1,035 × 3yrs
£3,105
IHS - 1 Minor Dependant
£776 × 3yrs
£2,328
Certificate of Sponsorship
£525 × 1
£525
Immigration Skills Charge
large, £1,682 × 3yrs
£5,046
WPC Full Package
£3,115
ESTIMATED TOTAL
£18,743
Who Must Conduct Right to Work Checks?
All UK employers - no exemptions
All UK employers - regardless of size, sector, or nationality of their workforce - are legally required to conduct right to work checks before a worker's first day of employment. There are no exemptions based on company size or industry.
Sole traders and micro-businesses with 1–2 employees.
Charities, voluntary organisations, and non-profits.
NHS Trusts, local authorities, and public sector bodies.
Staffing agencies and labour providers (who must check the workers they supply).
Employers using self-employed contractors or zero-hours workers - expanded obligation from March 2026.
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FAQ
Common questions
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in 2026?
£1,035 per year per adult and £776 per year per child (under 18). IHS must be paid upfront for the full visa duration before the application is submitted.
What is the Skilled Worker visa application fee in 2026?
Fees depend on route and duration. Standard outside UK: £769 (≤3 yrs) or £1,519 (>3 yrs). Immigration Salary List: £590 / £1,160. Health & Care Visa: £284 / £551. Fees were last updated 8 April 2026.
Who pays the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)?
The employer pays the ISC when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship. Small/charitable sponsors pay £611/yr; medium/large sponsors pay £1,682/yr. Passing this cost to the worker is prohibited and can lead to licence revocation.
Can my employer pay the IHS for me?
There is no legal obligation, but many employers offer to reimburse IHS as a benefit. Check your employment contract. The application itself is submitted in your name and requires the IHS to be paid before submission.
Is the Health & Care Visa IHS exempt?
Most Health & Care Visa workers are exempt from IHS, provided their occupation is on the eligible list and their employer is a registered NHS provider, social care body, or approved organisation.
How is IHS calculated for a 3.5-year visa?
IHS is charged in 6-month blocks, with part-blocks rounded up to a full block. For 3.5 years (42 months), you pay for 4 full years: £1,035 × 4 = £4,140 per adult.
Can I reduce the overall visa cost?
Yes. WPC advisers regularly identify savings of £2,000–£6,000 by reviewing your role, company size, immigration route and ISL eligibility. Use the calculator to get an estimate, then book a consultation.
What is included in the WPC Full Package fee?
The Full Package covers sponsor licence compliance checks, Certificate of Sponsorship assignment, visa application preparation, document review, UKVI submission support and post-approval guidance.
Are visa application fees refundable?
Visa application fees are generally non-refundable. IHS is refundable only if the application is refused, withdrawn before a decision, or if you leave the UK before the visa expires (partial refund available).
Still have questions?
Talk to a WPC adviser for a personalised fee estimate.