📊 Use the Visa Fees Calculator
We strongly recommend using the Borderless Visa Fees Calculator before issuing a sponsorship offer. The calculator shows:
Which fees apply
Who must legally pay them
An estimated total cost
This helps avoid confusion between employer and candidate.
⚖️ Fees Employers Must Cover (Required by Law)
By law, employers must pay the following:
CoS Assignment Fee - £525 per worker (one-off fee)
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) - £480 per year of sponsorship (small sponsors OR £1,320 per year of sponsorship (large sponsors)
These costs cannot be passed on to the candidate.
🤝 Fees That Can Be Paid by Employer or Candidate
The following fees can either be paid by the employer or passed to the candidate, depending on internal policy:
💼 Borderless Fee - Varies depending on your subscription plan.
🛂 Government Visa Fee - The amount depends on:
Visa route
Length of sponsorship
Whether the candidate is applying inside or outside the UK
❤️ Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) - £1,035 per year of sponsorship (Health & Care Worker visa applicants do not pay the IHS)
🇬🇧 Government Visa Fees (Standard Skilled Worker)
UK-Based Applicants (Non-Health & Care)
Up to 3 years: £885
Up to 5 years: £1,751
Overseas Applicants (Non-Health & Care)
Up to 3 years: £769
Up to 5 years: £1,519
⚠️ Overseas fees are charged in foreign currency, so the final amount may vary.
🩺 Health & Care Worker Government Visa Fees
Up to 3 years: £304
Up to 5 years: £590
No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is payable for this route.
🚫 Other Important Exemptions
Candidates switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa do not pay the ISC.
Health & Care Worker applicants do not pay the IHS.