This comprehensive guide covers all UK work visa fees for 2026, including the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care visa, Global Talent, Global Business Mobility routes, and temporary work visas. Understanding the complete cost of your UK work visa application—including the Immigration Health Surcharge and sponsor fees—is essential for budgeting your move to the United Kingdom. All fees shown are current as of January 2026 based on official Home Office guidance.
UK Work Visa Fees Overview 2026
The UK work visa fees vary significantly depending on the visa category, duration of stay, and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. Beyond the visa application fee itself, applicants must also budget for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which funds NHS access, and employers must pay for sponsorship-related costs. The table below provides a quick reference for the main work visa categories in 2026.
How Much Does a UK Work Visa Cost?
UK work visa fees in 2026 range from £319 for temporary work visas to £1,590 for Innovator Founder applications made inside the UK. The most common Skilled Worker visa costs £769 (up to 3 years, outside UK) or £885 (inside UK). Add the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for adults. Total costs for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK: approximately £3,874.
Skilled Worker Visa Fees 2026
The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for foreign nationals who have secured a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. The visa fee depends on the duration of your Certificate of Sponsorship and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. These fees apply to both main applicants and dependants.
What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa Fee in 2026?
The standard Skilled Worker visa fee is £769 for applications up to 3 years made from outside the UK, or £885 for applications made from inside the UK. For sponsorships over 3 years, the fee increases to £1,519 (outside UK) or £1,751 (inside UK). Jobs on the Immigration Salary List qualify for reduced fees of £590.
Health and Care Visa Fees
The Health and Care visa offers significantly reduced fees to attract medical professionals, nurses, and care workers to support the NHS. This visa also exempts holders from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge—a major cost saving.
Global Talent and Business Innovation Fees
The UK offers several visa routes for exceptional individuals and entrepreneurs. The Global Talent visa targets recognized leaders in science, humanities, engineering, arts, and digital technology, while the Innovator Founder visa supports those establishing innovative businesses.
Global Talent Visa Fees
Applicants who have already received prestigious awards (such as a Nobel Prize, Turing Award, or Oscar) do not need endorsement and pay £766. Those requiring endorsement pay £561 for the approval letter plus £205 for the visa application, totalling £766.
Innovator Founder and Start-Up Visa Fees
Scale-Up and High Potential Individual Visa Fees
The Scale-Up visa is for individuals recruited by fast-growing UK businesses, while the High Potential Individual visa (also known as the Graduate visa route for overseas graduates) targets recent graduates from top global universities. Both cost £880 regardless of application location.
Global Business Mobility Fees
The Global Business Mobility visa category enables multinational companies to transfer employees to their UK operations. This includes routes for senior managers, specialists, graduate trainees, and employees establishing new UK branches.
Additional UK Work Visa Costs
Beyond the visa application fee, UK work visa applicants must budget for several additional costs. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is mandatory for most work visa applicants and funds access to the NHS during your stay.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The Immigration Health Surcharge costs £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children under 18 or those on student/Youth Mobility Scheme visas. For a 3-year Skilled Worker visa, this adds £3,105 to your total costs. Health and Care visa holders are exempt from the IHS.
Sponsor Licence and Certificate of Sponsorship Fees
Employers must pay for a sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for each worker. While these are typically employer costs, understanding them helps you discuss sponsorship with potential employers.
Priority Visa Services
The Home Office offers priority processing services for applicants who need faster decisions. These optional services significantly reduce waiting times but come at additional cost.
- Visa application fee: £769
- Immigration Health Surcharge (3 years): £3,105
- Total applicant cost: £3,874
- Add Priority service if needed: +£500
Temporary Work Visa Fees
Temporary work visas cover a range of short-term employment in specific sectors, including arts, charity work, religious positions, sporting events, and government-authorised exchange programmes. All temporary work visa routes share the same application fee of £319.
International Sportsperson and Minister of Religion
For domestic staff accompanying their employer to the UK, the Overseas Domestic Worker visa costs £319 (6 months) and includes specific employment rights protections under the Modern Slavery Act.
- Skilled Worker visa: £769 (≤3 years) or £1,519 (>3 years) from outside UK
- Health and Care visa: £304 with IHS exemption—significant savings
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year for adults, £776/year for under 18s
- Priority services: +£500 (5 days) or +£1,000 (next day)
- Temporary work visas: £319 across all categories
- Total 3-year Skilled Worker cost: approximately £3,874 including IHS
For the most current and official fee information, visit the Home Office immigration and nationality fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK work visa cost in 2026?
UK work visa fees in 2026 range from £319 for temporary work visas to over £1,500 for longer-term Skilled Worker applications. The standard Skilled Worker visa costs £769 (up to 3 years, outside UK) or £885 (inside UK). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. Total cost for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa is approximately £3,874.
What is the cheapest UK work visa?
The cheapest UK work visa in 2026 is the Health and Care visa at £304 for up to 3 years. It also exempts holders from the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge, making total costs significantly lower than other work visas. Temporary work visas (Seasonal Worker, Charity Worker, etc.) cost £319 but still require IHS payment.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge included in the visa fee?
No, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a separate payment from the visa application fee. The IHS costs £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for under 18s or students. You must pay the IHS upfront for the full duration of your visa when you apply. Health and Care visa holders are exempt from the IHS.
How much does priority visa processing cost?
Priority visa processing in 2026 costs an additional £500 for a decision within 5 working days. Super Priority service costs £1,000 extra for a next working day decision. These fees are added to your standard visa application fee. Priority services are optional and subject to availability at your location.
What is the UK Skilled Worker visa fee for 5 years?
A 5-year Skilled Worker visa costs £1,519 (outside UK) or £1,751 (inside UK) for the visa application fee, plus £5,175 for the Immigration Health Surcharge (5 × £1,035). Total cost from outside the UK is approximately £6,694. If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, the visa fee reduces to £1,160.
Do dependants pay the same UK work visa fees?
Yes, dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18) generally pay the same visa application fee as the main applicant. Each dependant also pays the Immigration Health Surcharge—£1,035/year for adults and £776/year for under 18s. A family of four applying for 3-year Skilled Worker visas would pay approximately £15,496 in total (4 × £769 visa + 4 × £3,105 IHS).
Are UK work visa fees refundable?
Visa application fees are generally non-refundable once you submit your application, even if your visa is refused. However, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) may be refunded if your application is refused, withdrawn, or if you leave the UK earlier than planned. IHS refund requests must be made within the relevant time limits.
What does my employer pay for a UK work visa?
UK employers must pay for a sponsor licence (£574 for small businesses or £1,579 for large businesses) and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for each worker (£525 for Skilled Workers or £55 for temporary workers). Large employers also pay the Immigration Skills Charge of £364-£1,000 per year depending on business size. Some employers may agree to cover some or all of the employee's visa and IHS costs as part of the job offer.