Visa Cost Calculator
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Cost Breakdown
How to Use This Calculator
- Select whether you are applying from outside or inside the UK
- Choose your visa duration (1 to 5 years)
- Indicate your job type: standard role, Immigration Salary List role, or Health and Care Worker
- Select priority service if required (standard, priority, or super priority)
- Add partner and/or child dependants if they will accompany you
- Click “Calculate Total Cost” to view your complete fee breakdown
Fee Components Explained
Application Fees
Application fees vary based on location, duration, and job type. Standard fees for 2025 are:
| Visa Type | Duration | Outside UK | Inside UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Role | Up to 3 years | £769 | £885 |
| Standard Role | More than 3 years | £1,519 | £1,751 |
| Immigration Salary List | Up to 3 years | £590 | £590 |
| Immigration Salary List | More than 3 years | £1,160 | £1,160 |
| Health & Care Worker | Up to 3 years | £284 | £284 |
| Health & Care Worker | More than 3 years | £551 | £551 |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS grants access to the National Health Service during your stay. Rates for 2025 are:
- £1,035 per year for main applicants and adult dependants
- £776 per year for child dependants (under 18)
- £776 per year for Health and Care Workers and their dependants
- Charged in 6-month blocks; periods over 6 months are rounded up to a full year
Note: IHS must be paid upfront for the entire visa duration. If your visa is refused or you withdraw your application, the IHS is automatically refunded, but application fees are generally non-refundable.
Priority Processing Services
Expedited processing options are available for an additional fee:
- Priority Service (£500): Decision within approximately 5 working days
- Super Priority Service (£1,000): Decision within approximately 24 hours of biometric appointment
Immigration Salary List (Formerly Shortage Occupation List)
Jobs on the Immigration Salary List benefit from reduced application fees. Common roles include:
- Healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, paramedics)
- Engineers and technical specialists
- Skilled trades (welders, bricklayers, electricians)
- Social workers and care professionals
- Certain creative and artistic roles
The 20% salary discount previously available for shortage occupations has been removed. Roles now must meet standard salary thresholds.
Health and Care Worker Visa
This route offers significantly reduced fees to attract healthcare professionals to the NHS and care sector:
- Application fees are approximately 63% lower than standard Skilled Worker fees
- IHS is charged at £776 per year (same as child rate)
- Available to doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, and other eligible healthcare roles
- Employer must be an approved sponsor in the health and care sector
Dependant Requirements
Partners and children can apply as dependants on your Skilled Worker visa:
- Dependants pay the same application fee as the main applicant for the same duration
- Each dependant pays their own IHS (£1,035 per year for adults, £776 for children)
- Dependants can apply at the same time or join you later, but fees are calculated based on the remaining visa period
- Partners can work without restriction; children can study
Maintenance Funds Requirement
In addition to visa fees, you must prove you can support yourself:
- Main applicant: £1,270 minimum in bank account for at least 28 consecutive days
- Partner dependant: additional £285
- First child dependant: additional £315
- Each subsequent child: additional £200
- Funds must be available within 31 days of application
- Exempt if you have been in the UK for 12+ months or your sponsor certifies maintenance
Pathway to Settlement
Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence, provided they meet:
- Minimum salary threshold requirements throughout the period
- Continuous residence with absences not exceeding 180 days per year
- Life in the UK test and English language requirements
- No serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches
Employer Sponsorship Costs
While applicants pay visa and IHS fees, employers also incur costs:
| Fee Type | Small/Charitable Sponsor | Medium/Large Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor Licence (first 12 months) | £364 | £1,000 |
| Each additional 6 months | £182 | £500 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (per worker) | £239 | £239 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (first 12 months) | £364 | £1,000 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (each additional 6 months) | £182 | £500 |
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single Applicant, 3-Year Standard Role
- Application fee (outside UK): £769
- IHS (3 years × £1,035): £3,105
- Total: £3,874
Scenario 2: Family of Four, 5-Year Healthcare Role
- Application fees (4 × £551): £2,204
- IHS main applicant (5 × £776): £3,880
- IHS partner (5 × £776): £3,880
- IHS two children (2 × 5 × £776): £7,760
- Total: £17,724
Scenario 3: Extension Inside UK, 4-Year Immigration Salary List Role with Partner
- Application fees (2 × £1,160): £2,320
- IHS main applicant (4 × £1,035): £4,140
- IHS partner (4 × £1,035): £4,140
- Priority service: £500
- Total: £11,100
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my visa duration is less than a full year?
IHS is charged in 6-month blocks. If your visa is for 7 months, you pay for 12 months. If it is for 14 months, you pay for 18 months. Application fees are based on whether the visa is up to 3 years or more than 3 years.
Can I get a refund if my application is refused?
The IHS is automatically refunded if your visa is refused or withdrawn. Application fees are typically non-refundable unless the refusal was due to a Home Office error.
Do I need to pay IHS if I have private health insurance?
Yes, the IHS is mandatory for all Skilled Worker visa applicants staying longer than 6 months, regardless of private insurance coverage. It provides access to NHS services during your stay.
Can my employer pay my visa fees?
Yes, employers can choose to pay application fees and IHS on behalf of employees. This is a business decision and not mandatory. Employers must pay the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and Immigration Skills Charge.
What is the difference between Immigration Salary List and Health and Care Worker routes?
Both offer reduced fees, but Health and Care Worker fees are significantly lower. Health and Care Worker route is specifically for NHS and care sector roles, whilst the Immigration Salary List covers a broader range of shortage occupations across various sectors.
Can I switch jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but you must apply to update your visa if you change employer, role, or salary. The new position must meet salary and skill level requirements, and you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Additional fees apply for the update.
How long does standard processing take?
Applications from outside the UK typically take 3 weeks. Applications from inside the UK usually take 8 weeks. Priority and Super Priority services significantly reduce these timeframes.
Can my child dependant apply later after I arrive in the UK?
Yes, dependants can join you at any time during your visa validity. However, they pay fees based on the remaining duration of your visa. For example, if your 5-year visa has 3 years remaining, they pay the “more than 3 years” fee rate.
What salary do I need to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa?
The general minimum salary is £38,700 per year or the “going rate” for your occupation code, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds apply for new entrants (£30,960) and certain PhD-level roles. Health and Care Workers must meet sector-specific salary requirements.
Are there any fee exemptions?
Very limited exemptions exist. Most applicants must pay full fees. However, PhD-level researchers in certain science and research roles may be exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employers).
References
- UK Government (2025). “Skilled Worker Visa: How Much It Costs.” GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
- UK Home Office (2025). “Immigration Health Surcharge.” GOV.UK Official Guidance. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
- UK Government (2025). “Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees.” GOV.UK Publications. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table
- IAS Services (2025). “Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Fee 2025.” Available at: https://iasservices.org.uk/immigration-health-surcharge/
- DavidsonMorris (2025). “Skilled Worker Visa Fees & Sponsor Costs 2025.” Available at: https://www.davidsonmorris.com/skilled-worker-visa-fees/