Discover the importance of Annaizu Compliance Management in today's business landscape and how a Home Office compliance management platform can help your business streamline its compliance efforts, reduce risks, and stay ahead of regulations.
Understanding the full cost of a UK business visa in 2026 means looking beyond the headline application fee. Sponsor licence fees, Certificate of Sponsorship charges, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and priority processing can all add significantly to the total. This guide breaks down every cost across the main business visa routes so employers and applicants can plan accurately.
For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, immigration services and sponsor licence guidance.
For 2026 checks, cross-check the latest GOV.UK 2026 immigration fees before making sponsorship or visa decisions.
Key Takeaways
Essential Points for Employers and Applicants
- UK business visa costs include the application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, Certificate of Sponsorship fee, and sponsor licence fee - all must be budgeted for separately.
- The Skilled Worker visa application fee ranges from £551 to £1,420 depending on salary, role, and length of stay.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year per person from 9 February 2024.
- Sponsor licence fees increased in April 2024 - small sponsors pay £611 and large sponsors pay £1,682.
- Priority and super-priority processing are available at extra cost and can significantly speed up decisions.
What Makes Up the Total Cost of a UK Business Visa?
The Main Fee Categories
The total cost of bringing a worker to the UK on a business visa is made up of several separate charges. These include the visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee paid by the employer, the sponsor licence application fee, and optional priority processing fees. In some cases the employer pays all of these; in others costs are shared with the worker.
Who Pays What?
Employers must pay the sponsor licence fee and the Certificate of Sponsorship fee. The visa application fee and IHS are legally the worker's responsibility, though many employers choose to cover them as part of a relocation package. Employers are prohibited from recouping certain costs from workers if they leave early.
Sponsor Licence Costs
Sponsor Licence Application Fee
Before sponsoring any worker, a UK employer must hold a valid sponsor licence. The fee depends on the size of the organisation.
- Small or charitable sponsors: £611
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,682
A business is classified as small if it meets at least two of the following: annual turnover of £10.2 million or less, balance sheet total of £5.1 million or less, or 50 employees or fewer. Charities are always treated as small sponsors regardless of size.
Sponsor Licence Renewal
Sponsor licences are currently granted for an indefinite period following changes made in 2024, so there is no renewal fee at this stage. However, sponsors must continue to meet their ongoing compliance duties to retain the licence.
Certificate of Sponsorship Fees
What Is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital reference number that a licensed sponsor assigns to a worker before they apply for their visa. The employer pays a fee each time a CoS is issued.
CoS Fee by Route
- Skilled Worker (defined CoS): £239 per certificate
- Skilled Worker (undefined CoS): £239 per certificate
- Senior or Specialist Worker (ICT): £239 per certificate
- Graduate Trainee: £239 per certificate
- UK Expansion Worker: £239 per certificate
The CoS fee is always paid by the employer and cannot be passed on to the worker.
Skilled Worker Visa Application Fees
Fee Structure for Skilled Worker Applications
The Skilled Worker visa fee depends on how long the visa is granted for and whether the job is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List).
Applications Up to 3 Years
- Standard roles: £551 per person
- Roles on the Immigration Salary List: £551 per person
- Health and Care Worker roles: £284 per person
Applications Over 3 Years
- Standard roles: £1,084 per person
- Roles on the Immigration Salary List: £1,084 per person
- Health and Care Worker roles: £551 per person
Applications at the Higher Pay Rate
- Up to 3 years at or above £73,900 salary: £551 per person
- Over 3 years at or above £73,900 salary: £1,084 per person
Note that all dependants must also pay the application fee and IHS separately, which can substantially increase the total.
Immigration Health Surcharge
Current IHS Rates
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) entitles visa holders to use the NHS in the same way as a UK resident. It is paid upfront at the time of the visa application and covers the full length of the visa.
- Standard rate: £1,035 per person per year
- Students and under-18s: £776 per person per year
- Health and Care Worker visa holders: exempt from IHS
For a five-year Skilled Worker visa the IHS alone comes to £5,175 per person. Family members joining the worker must each pay the surcharge in full.
UK Expansion Worker Visa Costs
Overview of the UK Expansion Worker Route
The UK Expansion Worker visa is for senior employees of overseas businesses that are in the process of establishing a UK presence. It replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route.
Fee Breakdown
- Visa application fee (up to 2 years): £259 per person
- Visa application fee (extensions up to 2 years): £259 per person
- Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £239 per certificate
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per person
- Sponsor licence fee (if not already licensed): £611 or £1,682
Innovator Founder Visa Costs
Overview of the Innovator Founder Route
The Innovator Founder visa is for experienced entrepreneurs seeking to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Applicants must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body.
Fee Breakdown
- Visa application fee (initial and extension): £1,486 per person
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per person
- Endorsement fee: varies by endorsing body, typically £1,000 to £2,000
The Innovator Founder visa does not require a sponsor licence from an employer, but the endorsing body fee is a significant additional cost that varies between approved organisations.
Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility) Costs
Who This Route Covers
The Senior or Specialist Worker route under Global Business Mobility is for employees of multinational companies being transferred to a UK branch, subsidiary, or associated entity. It is sometimes referred to as the Intra-Company Transfer route.
Fee Breakdown
- Visa application fee (up to 3 years): £551 per person
- Visa application fee (over 3 years): £1,084 per person
- Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £239 per certificate
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per person
- Sponsor licence fee (if not already licensed): £611 or £1,682
Priority and Super-Priority Processing Fees
Faster Decisions at Extra Cost
Applicants who need a faster decision can pay for priority or super-priority processing where these services are available. Availability varies by route and application location.
- Priority service (5 working day target): £500
- Super-priority service (next working day target): £1,000
- Premium service centres (in-person appointments in the UK): fees vary
These services are not always available and may be withdrawn without notice. They are particularly relevant for employers facing urgent start dates.
Total Cost Examples
Example 1: Skilled Worker Visa - 5-Year Application, Standard Role
- Sponsor licence fee (large employer, one-off): £1,682
- Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £239
- Visa application fee (over 3 years): £1,084
- Immigration Health Surcharge (5 years): £5,175
- Total (excluding dependants): approximately £7,974
Example 2: UK Expansion Worker - 2-Year Application
- Sponsor licence fee (small employer, one-off): £611
- Certificate of
.svg)