Sponsoring an overseas worker opens up a global talent pool, but the costs stack up fast, and several moved in 2026. Between the sponsor licence fee, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and the Immigration Skills Charge, a single Skilled Worker hire runs into thousands before the salary is even agreed. This guide breaks down every fee, with the current 2026 figures, so you can budget with no surprises.
Why have a sponsor licence?
A sponsor licence lets you recruit from outside the UK and keeps your hiring compliant with Home Office rules. Knowing the costs upfront is part of doing it well. For the steps themselves, see our guide to the sponsor licence application.
Use the calculator below to estimate your sponsor licence costs.
Sponsor licence application fee
The sponsor licence fee depends on the type of licence and the size or charitable status of your organisation. There are two main types.
Worker licence
For longer-term skilled roles, such as the Skilled Worker route.
- Small or charitable sponsors: £611
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,682
Temporary Worker licence
For shorter-term roles, including the Global Business Mobility routes. The Temporary Worker licence is charged at a single, lower rate regardless of your size. Check the current figure on gov.uk before you budget, as Home Office fees change regularly.
Are you a small or large sponsor?
You count as a small or charitable sponsor if you meet at least two of these: annual turnover of £15 million or less, a balance sheet total of £7.5 million or less, or 50 employees or fewer. If you meet fewer than two, you pay the medium or large rate.
Sponsor Licence Priority Service
Most sponsor licence applications are decided within about eight weeks. For a faster decision, you can pay an extra £750 for the priority service, which targets 10 working days. It does not guarantee speed if a compliance visit is required.
Cost of assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a worker adds a further fee:
- Worker routes: £525 per CoS
- Temporary Worker routes: charged at a lower rate
Factor this in for every hire. There is more detail in our guide to Certificate of Sponsorship costs.
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
The Immigration Skills Charge applies to most Skilled Worker hires and rose 32% on 16 December 2025. You do not pay it if the worker is switching from a Student visa inside the UK, or for workers on the Health and Care Worker visa.
- Small or charitable sponsors: £480 for the first 12 months, then £240 per six-month extension
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,320 for the first 12 months, then £660 per six-month extension
Automate Home Office Audits with Borderless
The Borderless platform provides a centralized system for all sponsorships, automating reminders for key tasks and ensuring best practices across your organization, simplifying audit preparation and ongoing compliance.
Ongoing sponsor licence costs
Beyond the application and CoS fees, ongoing duties carry their own costs:
- Meeting the minimum salary thresholds. For most new Skilled Worker applications from 22 July 2025, the general threshold is £41,700 a year, or the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher.
- Covering the worker's visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year for most applicants), and any optional priority services.
Use our visa fees calculator for a tailored estimate.
Compliance and the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
Staying compliant matters as much as getting the licence. Through the Sponsor Management System (SMS), you must:
- Report changes such as job title, salary, or work location.
- Keep your records updated and accessible.
- Tell UKVI when your organisation moves between small and large within 20 working days.
- Avoid charging applicants for legal or visa support unless you genuinely provide it.
- Make sure your key personnel were not part of a previously refused sponsor licence, which can trigger an automatic rejection.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a sponsor licence in 2026?
The Worker licence costs £611 for small or charitable sponsors and £1,682 for medium or large sponsors. On top of that you pay £525 per Certificate of Sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge where it applies.
How much does it cost to sponsor a worker in total?
For a Skilled Worker, budget for the licence fee, £525 per CoS, the ISC (£1,320 a year for large sponsors, £480 for small), and the £1,035-a-year Immigration Health Surcharge, plus the visa application fee. Our calculator totals it for you.
Did sponsor licence fees go up in 2026?
Yes. The Immigration Skills Charge rose 32% on 16 December 2025, and licence and CoS fees have increased in recent rounds. The figures on this page are current for 2026.
How Borderless can help
Borderless helps organisations of every size secure a sponsor licence and stay compliant with Home Office rules. We have a 100% success rate on licence applications and handle everything from the paperwork to ongoing compliance support, on a clear monthly plan. Ready to simplify international hiring? Book a demo.
