Worker and Temporary Worker routes
How much does a sponsor licence cost?
The Home Office application fee for a Worker sponsor licence is £611 for small sponsors and charities, or £1,682 for medium and large sponsors (gov.uk, verified August 2026). Per-worker costs, the certificate of sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge, sit on top, and most employers also budget £1,500–£4,000 in adviser fees for the application itself. Tell us about your business and immigration advisers will quote your matter directly.
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- Tell us about your organisation, its size, and what you need. Two minutes, no account.
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- They contact you directly with a fee quote for your matter. Compare, choose, or walk away.
Sponsor Licence Cost is an independent information and introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd. We are not affiliated with the Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration, and nothing here is legal or immigration advice; immigration advice is regulated, and any adviser we introduce is responsible for their own regulatory status and advice. Home Office fees were verified against gov.uk in August 2026 and can change; check gov.uk before applying. Adviser fee figures are typical 2026 quotes that vary by firm and complexity. We may receive a fee from advisers we introduce; you pay nothing.
What a UK sponsor licence costs, 2026
Last updated
Every Home Office fee an employer pays to get a sponsor licence and sponsor a worker, plus typical adviser fees. Home Office figures were verified against gov.uk in August 2026; fees change, so check gov.uk before you apply.
Home Office fees are taken from gov.uk (sponsor licence fees, certificate of sponsorship fees and the Immigration Skills Charge pages), verified August 2026. Adviser fee ranges are typical 2026 quotes for solicitor or regulated-adviser support with a straightforward application and vary by firm and complexity. The worked totals are the sum of the listed fees for the scenario stated. The sponsored worker's own visa application fees and health surcharge are separate and not included here.
| Item | Small sponsor / charity | Medium or large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Licence application fee (Worker routes) | £611 | £1,682 |
| Licence application fee (Temporary Worker only) | £611 | £611 |
| Optional priority service (decision in 10 working days) | £750 | £750 |
| Certificate of sponsorship, per Skilled Worker | £525 | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge, first 12 months per worker | £480 | £1,320 |
| Immigration Skills Charge, each further 6 months | £240 | £660 |
| Adviser fees for the application (typical 2026 quotes) | £1,500–£4,000 | £1,500–£4,000 |
| Worked total: licence + one Skilled Worker, 3-year certificate (before adviser fees) | £2,576 | £6,167 |
- A UK Worker sponsor licence application costs £611 for small sponsors and charities, or £1,682 for medium and large sponsors (gov.uk, verified August 2026).
- Sponsoring one Skilled Worker on a three-year certificate costs a small sponsor £2,576 in Home Office fees: the £611 licence fee, a £525 certificate of sponsorship and £1,440 Immigration Skills Charge.
- The Immigration Skills Charge over a full five-year sponsorship totals £2,400 for a small sponsor or £6,600 for a medium or large sponsor (gov.uk).
Cite this page
“What a UK sponsor licence costs, 2026”, Sponsor Licence Cost, https://sponsorlicencecost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Home Office fees are taken from gov.uk (sponsor licence fees, certificate of sponsorship fees and the Immigration Skills Charge pages), verified August 2026. Adviser fee ranges are typical 2026 quotes for solicitor or regulated-adviser support with a straightforward application and vary by firm and complexity. The worked totals are the sum of the listed fees for the scenario stated. The sponsored worker's own visa application fees and health surcharge are separate and not included here.
Worth knowing
The longer answers, with sources.
Sponsor licence application fee: every Home Office charge in 2026
The sponsor licence application fee is £611 (small sponsors) or £1,682 (medium or large), plus £525 per certificate of sponsorship and the skills charge. Per gov.uk.
Sponsor licence fee for a small company: the size test that sets it
Small sponsors pay £611 for a licence and £480 a year in skills charge; medium or large pay £1,682 and £1,320. The Companies Act size test decides which you are.
Sponsor licence processing time: standard, priority and what delays it
Most sponsor licence applications are decided in around 8 weeks; the £750 priority service targets 10 working days. What slows applications and how long a licence lasts.
Questions, answered directly
How much does a sponsor licence cost in total?
The Home Office licence fee is £611 for small sponsors and charities or £1,682 for medium and large sponsors (gov.uk, verified August 2026). With one Skilled Worker on a three-year certificate, Home Office fees total £2,576 (small) or £6,167 (large), and adviser fees for the application typically add £1,500–£4,000 in 2026 quotes.
What is the Immigration Skills Charge?
A per-worker charge paid up front when you assign a certificate of sponsorship: £480 (small or charitable sponsors) or £1,320 (medium or large) for the first 12 months, then £240 or £660 per further 6 months. A full five-year sponsorship totals £2,400 or £6,600. Some occupations and cases are exempt; see gov.uk.
Do we need a solicitor to apply for a sponsor licence?
No, employers can apply directly on gov.uk. Many use a solicitor or regulated immigration adviser, typically £1,500–£4,000 in 2026 quotes for a straightforward application, mainly to get documents, key personnel and compliance systems right first time, because a refusal normally means a 6-month wait before reapplying.
Can the sponsored worker pay any of the fees?
The licence fee and application costs must not be passed to the worker; gov.uk warns this can lead to revocation. Home Office rules also prohibit recovering the certificate of sponsorship fee and Immigration Skills Charge from Skilled Workers. The worker's own visa fee and health surcharge are separate costs of their application.
Does a sponsor licence need renewing?
No. The Home Office removed the renewal requirement and fee in April 2024 and extended licences by 10 years, so there is no recurring renewal cost. The licence continues subject to compliance with sponsor duties; check current gov.uk guidance for the position on your licence.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to instruct anyone. We pass your details only to relevant immigration advisers, who quote you directly; we may receive a fee from those advisers, which is how the service is funded.