Costs 3
The Immigration Skills Charge
Employers pay the charge when they sponsor a worker; it is never the worker's cost.
| Figure | In force | Since | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Skills Charge, medium or large sponsor, first 12 months | £1,320 | Start date not verified | UK visa sponsorship for employers: Immigration skills charge (gov.uk) |
| Immigration Skills Charge, medium or large sponsor, each additional 6 months | £660 | Start date not verified | UK visa sponsorship for employers: Immigration skills charge (gov.uk) |
The Immigration Skills Charge is paid by employers that sponsor workers, on top of the fees the worker pays. Its rate depends on the employer’s size and the length of the certificate of sponsorship.
The rate depends on the employer’s size
A small or charitable sponsor pays £480 for the first year of the certificate, then £240 for each further half year.
A medium or large sponsor pays £1,320 for the first year, then £660 for each further half year.
| Sponsor size | First 12 months | Each extra 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| Small or charitable | £480 | £240 |
| Medium or large | £1,320 | £660 |
Small or charitable sponsor, a certificate of 3 years
| First 12 months | £480 |
|---|---|
| Each extra 6 months, × 4 | £960 |
| The employer pays | £1,440 |
Medium or large sponsor, a certificate of 3 years
| First 12 months | £1,320 |
|---|---|
| Each extra 6 months, × 4 | £2,640 |
| The employer pays | £3,960 |
The employer pays, never the worker
The employer must pay the charge itself. Passing the charge, or costs linked to its application, on to the sponsored worker can lead to its sponsor licence being revoked.
You must pay the immigration skills charge yourself. Your licence may be revoked if you ask the sponsored worker to pay the fee or any costs linked to your application.
Not payable when switching from a Student visa
If the worker switches to Skilled Worker from a Student visa, the employer does not pay the charge, including when the worker later extends on the new visa. This covers a switch from a Student visa. It does not cover a switch from a Graduate visa.
When a switch can happen is in switching before your course ends; the worker’s own costs are in Skilled Worker visa costs.
You will not have to pay the charge if they switch to either a Skilled Worker or Senior or Specialist Worker visa and then extend their stay on the new visa.
Refunds are set out on GOV.UK
The sponsor gets a full refund if, for example, the worker’s visa application is refused or withdrawn, and a partial refund in other listed cases. It usually comes within 90 days of the set date. Every rate on this page is also in Figures in force.
The note for employers covers what else an employer needs to know about hiring a graduate.
History
- . Entry updated.
- . Entry first published.
Common questions
Who pays the Immigration Skills Charge?
The employer that sponsors the worker. It must pay the charge itself, and passing the charge, or costs linked to its application, on to the worker can lead to its sponsor licence being revoked.
Is there an Immigration Skills Charge exemption for students?
When a sponsor takes on someone switching to Skilled Worker from a Student visa, the charge is not payable, including when they later extend. This does not cover a switch from a Graduate visa.
How much is the Immigration Skills Charge for a medium or large sponsor?
£1,320 for the first year of the certificate, then £660 for each further half year.
Can the Immigration Skills Charge be refunded?
When the charge is refunded is set out in GOV.UK's guidance for sponsors. This handbook does not hold the refund rules yet.
Sources
- UK visa sponsorship for employers: Immigration skills charge (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
First 12 months £480 £1,320
Each additional 6 months £240 £660
You must pay the immigration skills charge yourself. Your licence may be revoked if you ask the sponsored worker to pay the fee or any costs linked to your application.
You will not have to pay the charge if they switch to either a Skilled Worker or Senior or Specialist Worker visa and then extend their stay on the new visa.
You’ll get a full refund if the worker’s visa application is:
You’ll get a partial refund if the worker:
You usually get a refund within 90 days of:
You’ll get a refund within 90 days of the administrative review being dismissed if the worker applied for one and were unsuccessful.
How each figure is checked: Sources and method.
This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).