The total cost of a UK self-sponsorship visa typically runs between £10,000 and £18,000 for a single applicant on a five-year visa — more with dependants or legal fees. This page sets out every fee, who pays what, and where costs can be reduced.
Summary of Fees at a Glance
| Fee | Paid by | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence | Company | £611 (small) / £1,682 (large) |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Company | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (3-year visa, small sponsor) | Company | £1,440 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (5-year visa, small sponsor) | Company | £2,400 |
| Visa fee (outside UK, up to 3 years) | Applicant | £819 |
| Visa fee (outside UK, over 3 years) | Applicant | £1,618 |
| Visa fee (inside UK, up to 3 years) | Applicant | £943 |
| Visa fee (inside UK, over 3 years) | Applicant | £1,865 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (adults) | Applicant | £1,035 per person/year |
| IHS (children under 18) | Applicant | £776 per person/year |
In self-sponsorship you control both sides of the arrangement, so you bear all of these costs directly, whether nominally company-paid or applicant-paid.
Sponsor Licence Fee
The sponsor licence fee is paid by the company to the Home Office. Most newly incorporated self-sponsorship companies qualify for the small rate of £611. The licence has no fixed renewal cycle — it remains valid as long as you meet compliance duties, though reinstatement from a B-rating incurs a fee — check the current rate at the time of application.
Certificate of Sponsorship Fee
Once the licence is granted, the company pays £525 to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship. The CoS is a digital reference number valid for three months from assignment. This fee increased substantially in April 2025 (from £239) — factor this in if comparing older estimates.
Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is paid by the company when the CoS is assigned. It was restructured in December 2025 to a banded fee based on total visa duration:
| Visa duration | Small sponsor | Large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 year | £480 | £1,320 |
| 2 years | £960 | £2,640 |
| 3 years | £1,440 | £3,960 |
| 4 years | £1,920 | £5,280 |
| 5 years | £2,400 | £6,600 |
This represents a 32% increase on previous ISC rates — the first rise since 2017. If you are budgeting from pre-December 2025 figures, recalculate. The ISC is refunded in full if the visa is refused, and partially if the worker leaves the sponsored role early.
Immigration Health Surcharge
The IHS is paid upfront for the entire visa duration. For a five-year visa for one adult: £5,175. For a family of two adults and two children on five-year visas: £18,110 in IHS alone. The IHS is refunded if the visa application is refused.
Ancillary Costs
- English language test: £150–£200 (IELTS for UKVI or equivalent)
- Tuberculosis test: £50–£150 depending on country and provider
- Document translation: £50–£100 per document
- Priority processing: £500 (licence) + £500–£1,000 (visa)
- Legal fees: £2,500–£5,000 for straightforward cases; £5,000–£10,000+ for complex ones
- Company formation: £50 at Companies House, plus accountant/formation agent costs of £500–£2,000
Total Cost Examples
Example A: Single applicant, 3-year visa, outside UK, small sponsor, no legal fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sponsor licence (small) | £611 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (3 years) | £1,440 |
| Visa application fee | £819 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (3 years) | £3,105 |
| Total | £6,500 |
Example B: Applicant plus partner, 5-year visa, outside UK, small sponsor, with legal fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sponsor licence (small) | £611 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (5 years) | £2,400 |
| Visa application fees (2 × £1,618) | £3,236 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (2 adults × 5 years) | £10,350 |
| Legal fees | £3,500 |
| Ancillary costs | £500 |
| Total | £21,122 |
What Happens to Fees If the Application Is Refused
Visa application fee: Not refunded on refusal. IHS: Refunded if refused. ISC: Refunded in full if refused. Sponsor licence fee: Not refundable. CoS fee: Not refundable. On refusal of a five-year application with a small sponsor, you lose approximately £2,754 in non-refundable fees (sponsor licence £611, CoS £525, visa application £1,618). This is why getting the application right — particularly the sponsor licence — matters so much. See our success rate guide for common failure points.
Costs the Company Cannot Pass to You
Since 31 December 2024, employers cannot recover the sponsor licence fee, Certificate of Sponsorship fee, or Immigration Skills Charge from the sponsored worker. Passing these costs to the worker is a breach of sponsor duties and grounds for licence revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum I need to budget?
For a single applicant on a three-year visa, outside the UK, small sponsor, no legal fees — Home Office fees total approximately £6,500. Add legal fees and the realistic minimum is £8,500–£9,000.
Can I offset any costs against corporation tax?
The Immigration Skills Charge is not tax-deductible for the company. Visa fees and legal fees paid by the company may be treated as a taxable benefit — take specific tax advice before applying.
What if fees increase before my application?
Home Office fees can change with little notice — the April 2025 increase was announced with about six weeks' warning. Budget a 10–15% contingency on all current figures.
Need personalised advice?
This guide provides general information only. For advice tailored to your circumstances, speak to one of our immigration advisers.
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