UK Immigration Fee Increases April 2026: What Sponsors and Workers Need to Know

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UK immigration fees are rising from 8 April 2026. Whether you are a sponsor preparing to hire overseas workers or an individual planning a visa application, understanding the new costs will help you budget accurately and avoid surprises. This guide covers the updated Skilled Worker visa fees, sponsor licence charges, Health and Care Visa rates, and the rules on what sponsors cannot pass on to workers.

For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, mock audit inspection readiness and mock audit preparation.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points for Sponsors and Applicants

• Most UK immigration fees increase from 8 April 2026, including Skilled Worker visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Sponsor licence fees are also rising, affecting both new applications and renewals.
• Health and Care Visa applicants continue to benefit from reduced application fees.
• Sponsors are legally prohibited from passing certain costs on to sponsored workers.
• Planning ahead and budgeting for the new fee structure will help avoid delays in hiring.

Why Are UK Immigration Fees Increasing in April 2026?

The UK government has confirmed a fresh round of immigration fee increases taking effect from 8 April 2026. The increases are part of a broader effort to reduce the cost of the immigration system to the public purse and align visa fees more closely with the administrative costs of processing applications. For sponsors and workers already managing tight budgets, the timing and scale of these rises matter.

Skilled Worker Visa Fee Increases from April 2026

New Application Fees for Skilled Worker Visas

The Skilled Worker visa remains the most commonly used route for UK employers sponsoring overseas workers. From 8 April 2026, application fees increase across all durations and applicant types. The exact figures depend on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside the UK, the length of the visa, and whether the role falls under the Health and Care visa exemption.

Short-Term and Long-Term Visa Cost Differences

Applications for visas of up to three years are charged at a lower rate than those for longer durations. Applicants staying for more than three years pay a higher upfront fee, though this covers the full period rather than requiring renewal mid-way through employment. Sponsors should factor both the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge into total onboarding costs.

Immigration Health Surcharge Changes

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is paid alongside most visa applications and grants the applicant access to NHS services during their stay. From April 2026, the IHS rate increases for most applicants. The surcharge is calculated per year of the visa, so longer visas attract a proportionally higher total cost. Sponsors should be aware that the IHS is one of the costs they are not permitted to reclaim from workers in most circumstances.

Sponsor Licence Fee Increases

New Applications for a Sponsor Licence

Employers applying for a new sponsor licence from 8 April 2026 will pay an increased fee. Small sponsors and charities continue to pay a lower rate than medium and large organisations. If your business is planning to recruit overseas workers for the first time, applying before the fee increase could produce a meaningful saving.

Sponsor Licence Renewals

Sponsor licences must be renewed periodically. Renewal fees are also subject to the April 2026 increases. Sponsors whose licences are due for renewal around this date should check the exact fee applicable on their renewal date and budget accordingly.

Certificate of Sponsorship Fees

Each time a sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a worker, a fee is payable. This per-CoS charge is also increasing from April 2026. For sponsors hiring multiple workers in a single year, this can add up to a significant additional cost compared with previous years.

Health and Care Visa Fees in 2026

The Health and Care Visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route aimed at clinical roles in the NHS, NHS-funded services, and adult social care. Applicants on this route benefit from a reduced application fee and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. These exemptions remain in place from April 2026, making the Health and Care Visa significantly cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker route for eligible roles and employers.

Which Roles Qualify for the Health and Care Visa?

Eligibility for the Health and Care Visa depends on the occupation code, the employer type, and whether the employer holds an approved sponsor licence. Common qualifying roles include nurses, care workers, occupational therapists, and various allied health professionals working for CQC-registered providers or NHS bodies.

What Sponsors Cannot Charge Workers

Prohibited Cost Recovery

UK immigration law and the sponsor guidance are clear that certain costs must not be passed on to sponsored workers. Recouping prohibited costs, whether directly or through deductions, is a serious compliance breach and can result in sponsor licence suspension or revocation.

Costs Sponsors Must Not Pass On to Workers

• The sponsor licence application or renewal fee.
• The Certificate of Sponsorship fee.
• The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), which is a separate levy paid by sponsors on top of the CoS fee.
• Any administrative costs directly associated with obtaining or maintaining the sponsor licence.

Costs That May Be Shared in Certain Circumstances

Visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid by the worker or by the employer on the worker's behalf. Whether a sponsor can recover these costs from a worker depends on the employment contract and the circumstances. Sponsors should take legal advice before building cost-recovery clauses into contracts, particularly where such clauses could push a worker's effective pay below the minimum salary threshold for their visa.

Immigration Skills Charge in 2026

The Immigration Skills Charge is a levy paid by sponsors each time they assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for a role lasting more than six months. Small sponsors and charities pay a lower rate. The ISC is separate from the CoS fee and is payable in addition to it. This charge is one of the costs sponsors are expressly forbidden from passing on to workers. The April 2026 fee review may also affect ISC rates, so sponsors should check the latest published figures before finalising their hiring budgets.

How to Prepare for the April 2026 Fee Increases

Actions for Sponsors

1. Review your current hiring pipeline and identify any applications that could be submitted before 8 April 2026 to lock in lower fees.
2. Update your internal HR and finance processes to reflect the new fee levels from April onwards.
3. Check whether your sponsor licence renewal falls before or after 8 April and budget for the applicable rate.
4. Audit your employment contracts to ensure no prohibited cost-recovery clauses have been included inadvertently.
5. Brief your finance team on the increases to the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and the Immigration Skills Charge.

Actions for Individual Applicants

1. If your visa application is ready, consider submitting before 8 April 2026 to benefit from the current lower fee.
2. Check whether your role qualifies for the Health and Care Visa exemption before applying on the standard Skilled Worker route.
3. Confirm the total cost of your application including the IHS before submitting, as this must be paid in full at the point of application.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the new UK immigration fees come into effect?

The increased fees apply to applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. Applications submitted before that date are subject to the fees in force at the time of submission.

Does the Health and Care Visa still have reduced fees after April 2026?

Yes. The Health and Care Visa continues to carry a reduced application fee and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge for eligible applicants and employers from April 2026 onwards.

Can my employer charge me for my Skilled Worker visa?

Your employer cannot charge you for the sponsor licence fee, the Certificate of Sponsorship fee, or the Immigration Skills Charge. These are costs the sponsor must bear. Whether visa application fees and the IHS can be recovered from workers depends on the specific contract terms and circumstances, and sponsors should seek legal advice before including any such clauses.

What is the Immigration Skills Charge and who pays it?

The Immigration Skills Charge is a levy paid by the sponsoring employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship for most Skilled Worker roles lasting over six months. It is paid by the sponsor and cannot legally be passed on to the worker.

Will the fee increases affect existing visa holders?

The increases affect new applications and extensions submitted from 8 April 2026. Workers who already hold a valid visa are not affected until they need to apply for a renewal or extension.

How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge after April 2026?

The exact IHS rate from 8 April 2026 should be confirmed on the official gov.uk website, as rates are subject to change by statutory instrument. Health and Care Visa holders remain exempt from the surcharge.

Conclusion

The April 2026 immigration fee increases add to the compliance and cost pressures already facing UK sponsors. Annaizu helps employers manage sponsor licence obligations, Certificate of Sponsorship assignments, right to work checks, and workforce compliance in one place, making it easier to stay on top of changes like these without missing a step.