UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees: Complete Cost Guide

Executive Summary

The UK skilled worker visa fees can range from £1,420 to over £5,000 depending on your circumstances, location, and service preferences. Understanding these costs upfront is crucial for proper financial planning and avoiding application delays due to insufficient funds.

Key Cost Components:

• Main application fee: £719 (from outside UK) or £827 (from within UK)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year of visa validity
• Biometrics fee: £19.20
• Priority processing: £500-£1,000+ (optional)
• Additional costs: Document translation, legal fees, travel expenses

What this means for you: A typical 5-year skilled worker visa application costs approximately £2,774 for the main applicant alone, before considering dependents, premium services, or additional documentation costs.

Application Fees Breakdown

Main Application Fee

The core UK skilled worker visa application fee varies based on where you’re applying from:

From Outside the UK:

• Main applicant: £719
• Each dependent: £719

From Within the UK (switching or extending):

• Main applicant: £827
• Each dependent: £827

What this means for you: If you’re applying as a family of four from outside the UK, your base application fees alone will be £2,876 (£719 × 4).

Priority Processing Services

Priority Service (outside UK): £500

• Decision within 5 working days
• Available in most countries

Super Priority Service (outside UK): £1,000

• Decision within 24 hours (working days)
• Limited availability by country

Priority Service (within UK): £500

• Decision within 5 working days

Premium In-Person Service (within UK): £1,033

• Same-day decision
• In-person appointment required

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants paying for priority services without checking processing times. Standard processing is often sufficient unless you have urgent travel needs.

Extension and Switching Fees

Extending your skilled worker visa: £827 per person Switching from another visa category: £827 per person

If you’re applying from a high-refusal-rate country: Priority processing won’t improve weak applications. Focus your budget on strengthening your documentation rather than faster processing.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is mandatory for most skilled worker visa applicants and grants access to the NHS during your stay.

IHS Calculation

Rate: £1,035 per person per year Calculation: Based on visa validity period, not actual stay duration

Example calculations:

• 5-year visa: £5,175 per person
• 3-year visa: £3,105 per person
• 2-year visa: £2,070 per person

Payment Process

The IHS must be paid online before submitting your visa application. You’ll receive a reference number that must be included in your application.

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Pay the IHS immediately after receiving your certificate of sponsorship. This prevents delays if the payment system experiences technical issues.

Refund Scenarios

You’re entitled to an IHS refund if:

• Your visa application is refused
• You withdraw your application before a decision
• You don’t travel to the UK within the visa validity period

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants forgetting to claim IHS refunds after visa refusals. The refund process must be initiated within specific timeframes.

What this means for you: For a family of four on 5-year visas, the IHS alone costs £20,700 (£5,175 × 4). This is the largest component of your total application cost.

Additional Costs

Document Translation and Certification

Translation costs: £25-£50 per page for certified translations Apostille certification: £30 per document (UK documents) Notarization: £5-£20 per document

Common documents requiring translation:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Educational transcripts
• Employment contracts
• Bank statements (if not in English)

Biometrics and Photography

Biometrics fee: £19.20 per person (standard at visa application centers) Digital photographs: Usually included in biometrics fee Additional copies: £10-£20 if required

Legal and Professional Fees

Immigration lawyer consultation: £200-£500 per hour Full application assistance: £2,000-£5,000 Document review service: £500-£1,500

If you’re applying from India, Nigeria, or Pakistan: Consider professional assistance for document preparation, as these countries have higher scrutiny levels for skilled worker applications.

Travel and Accommodation

Travel to visa application center: Variable Accommodation for biometrics: £50-£200 per night if required Travel to UK: £200-£2,000+ depending on origin country

Real mistake we’ve seen: Underestimating travel costs for biometrics appointments in countries with limited visa application centers. Factor in potential overnight stays and transportation.

Fee Variations by Circumstances

Family Applications

Spouse/partner: Same fees as main applicant Children under 18: Same fees as main applicant Adult dependents: Same fees as main applicant

What this means for you: Each family member pays identical fees. A family of four will pay four times the individual cost for every fee component.

Switching from Other Visa Categories

From Student visa: £827 + IHS From Visitor visa: Not permitted – must apply from home country From Spouse visa: £827 + IHS From Graduate visa: £827 + IHS

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: If switching from a Student visa, ensure you have 28 days of consecutive bank statements before applying. This prevents costly delays.

Premium Service Add-ons

Document scanning service: £60 SMS updates: £3 Email updates: £3 Courier return service: £25-£50

Real mistake we’ve seen: Paying for unnecessary premium add-ons. Standard processing includes secure document return – courier services are rarely essential.

Payment Methods and Currency

Accepted Payment Options

Online applications: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) Visa application centers: Credit/debit cards, cash (country-dependent) IHS payments: Online card payments only

Currency Considerations

Application fees: Always paid in GBP IHS: Always paid in GBP Exchange rate fluctuations: Can affect total cost in your local currency

If you’re applying from countries with currency restrictions: Ensure you have access to international payment methods or consider using a specialist foreign exchange service.

What this means for you: Budget for potential exchange rate fluctuations between fee calculation and payment. A 5% currency swing can add hundreds to your total cost.

Fee Waivers and Exemptions

Limited Exemption Circumstances

IHS exemptions (rare):

• Diplomatic personnel
• Certain international students with government sponsorship
• Specific healthcare workers in shortage occupations

Application fee reductions: Generally not available for skilled worker visas

Financial Hardship Considerations

No fee waiver programs exist for skilled worker visas. All applicants must pay standard fees regardless of financial circumstances.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants assuming fee waivers are available based on other visa categories. Always budget for full fee payment.

What this means for you: Unlike some other visa categories, skilled worker visas offer no fee concessions. Plan your finances accordingly.

Cost Calculator: Estimate Your Total Expenses

Basic Calculation Formula

Single applicant from outside UK (5-year visa):

• Application fee: £719
• IHS: £5,175
• Biometrics: £19.20
• Total: £5,913.20

Family of four from outside UK (5-year visa):

• Application fees: £2,876 (£719 × 4)
• IHS: £20,700 (£5,175 × 4)
• Biometrics: £76.80 (£19.20 × 4)
• Total: £23,652.80

Additional Cost Considerations

Document preparation: £200-£1,000 Translation services: £100-£500 Professional assistance: £0-£5,000 Travel costs: £100-£2,000 Priority processing: £0-£1,000

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Add 10-15% to your calculated total for unexpected costs like additional document requests or exchange rate fluctuations.

Payment Timeline: When Fees Are Due

Pre-Application Phase

1. IHS payment: Before submitting visa application
2. Legal/professional fees: Before application submission (if using services)

Application Submission

1. Main application fee: At time of online submission
2. Priority service fees: At time of online submission

Biometrics Appointment

1. Biometrics fee: At visa application center
2. Additional services: At visa application center (if required)

Post-Decision

1. Refund claims: Within 6 months of decision (if applicable)
2. Extension preparation: 3 months before current visa expires

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants scheduling biometrics appointments without sufficient funds for the appointment fee. Always confirm payment requirements before booking.

Fee Comparison Table

What this means for you: Standard processing is sufficient for most applicants. Only pay for premium services if you have genuine time constraints.

Managing Your Visa Costs Effectively

Budget Planning Strategies

Start saving early: Begin financial planning 6-12 months before application Currency protection: Consider forward contracts for large amounts Family planning: Coordinate applications to minimize duplicate costs

Cost-Saving Tips

Avoid unnecessary premium services: Standard processing is reliable Prepare documents yourself: Save on professional fees where possible Time your application: Apply when exchange rates are favorable

If you’re applying from a country with high living costs: Remember that visa fees are the same globally – your local cost of living doesn’t affect UK government charges.

Real mistake we’ve seen: Families applying separately to spread costs over time. This often results in higher total fees due to dependency requirements and timing complications.