š 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.
āļø Fees Employers Must Cover (Required by Law)
By law, employers must pay the following:
CoS Assignment Fee - Ā£525 per worker (one-off fee)
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) - Ā£480 per year of sponsorship (small sponsors OR Ā£1,320 per year of sponsorship (large sponsors)
These costs cannot be passed on to the candidate.
š¤ 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:
š¼ Borderless Fee - Varies depending on your subscription plan.
š Government Visa Fee - The amount depends on:
Visa route
Length of sponsorship
Whether the candidate is applying inside or outside the UK
ā¤ļø Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) - Ā£1,035 per year of sponsorship (Health & Care Worker visa applicants do not pay the IHS)
š¬š§ Government Visa Fees (Standard Skilled Worker)
UK-Based Applicants (Non-Health & Care)
Up to 3 years: Ā£943
More than 3 years: Ā£1,865
Overseas Applicants (Non-Health & Care)
Up to 3 years: Ā£819
More than 3 years: Ā£1,618
ā ļø Overseas fees are charged in foreign currency, so the final amount may vary.
Roles on the Immigration Salary List
If the job is on the Immigration Salary List, a lower fee applies whether the candidate applies from inside or outside the UK:
Up to 3 years: Ā£628
More than 3 years: Ā£1,235
š©ŗ Health & Care Worker Government Visa Fees
The same fee applies whether the candidate applies from inside or outside the UK:
Up to 3 years: Ā£324
More than 3 years: Ā£628
No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is payable for this route.
š« 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.