Understanding the costs associated with the UK Skilled Worker Visa can be a daunting task. With various fees and expenses to consider, it’s essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the process to budget effectively. This guide aims to decode the costs associated with sponsoring a skilled worker visa in the UK, including standard business sponsorship costs, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) costs, and premium service fees. We’ll also explore the definition of a large company in the UK context, the cost of sponsoring an employee or an immigrant worker, and how these costs compare to other countries like Australia.
Understanding the UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is designed for individuals who have been offered a skilled job in the UK. To apply for this visa, an individual must have a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Tier 2 or Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. The employer, or ‘sponsor’, is responsible for certain costs associated with the visa application.
Standard Business Sponsorship Cost
The standard business sponsorship cost is the fee an employer must pay to the UK government to become a licensed sponsor. This cost varies depending on the size of the company. For a small or charitable sponsor, the cost is £536. For a medium or large sponsor, often referred to as ‘t2 large’ in pricing terms, the cost is £1,476. The definition of a large company in the UK is one that has an annual turnover of £10.2 million or more, or 50 employees or more.
Cost of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a virtual document with a unique reference number that a sponsor assigns to a worker. The CoS cost is £199 for a Skilled Worker Visa. This cost is usually borne by the sponsoring employer.
Skilled Worker Visa Application Fee
The cost of the UK Skilled Worker Visa application fee varies depending on the duration of the visa and where the applicant is applying from. If the applicant is applying from outside the UK for a visa of up to three years, the cost is £610. For a visa of more than three years, the cost is £1,220. If the applicant is applying from within the UK, the cost is £704 for a visa of up to three years and £1,408 for a visa of more than three years.
Premium Service Fees
Premium service fees are additional costs for expedited processing of the visa application. This is a fast track synonym for getting the visa processed quicker than the standard processing time. The cost for this service varies depending on the type of application and the level of service required.
Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee that employers must pay when they sponsor a non-EEA national for a Skilled Worker Visa. The charge is £1,000 per person per year for a large sponsor and £364 per person per year for a small or charitable sponsor.
Healthcare Surcharge
All non-EEA nationals who are applying to stay in the UK for more than six months must pay a healthcare surcharge as part of their visa application. The cost is £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children under 18.
Comparing Costs with Other Countries
When considering the cost of sponsoring a skilled worker visa in the UK, it can be helpful to compare these costs with other countries. For example, using an Australian visa cost calculator, the cost of sponsoring a skilled worker visa in Australia ranges from AUD$2,645 to AUD$5,445, depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay.
Conclusion
Understanding the costs associated with sponsoring a UK Skilled Worker Visa is crucial for budgeting and planning purposes. While the costs can seem high, it’s important to remember that investing in skilled workers can bring significant benefits to your business in terms of skills, knowledge, and diversity. Always ensure to check the latest fees on the official UK government website as these costs can change.
