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Cost building blocks
| Item | Who usually pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence fee | Employer | Varies by organisation size / type |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Employer | Assigned per worker |
| Immigration Skills Charge | Employer | Usually based on visa length & sponsor size |
| Visa application fee | Often worker (sometimes employer) | Depends on route and length |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Often worker (sometimes employer) | Usually tied to visa length |
| Legal / advisory fees | Employer | Optional but common for first licences |
| Relocation / temporary housing | Employer (policy) | Often forgotten in “visa cost” debates |
Two envelopes finance needs
Present costs as setup vs per hire or finance will under-approve forever.
| Envelope | Includes | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed setup | Licence fee, counsel for application, HR system time | Amortise across planned hires |
| Per sponsored hire | CoS, ISC, visa/IHS policy choice, counsel for that case, relocation | Attach to each requisition |
| Contingency | Priority processing, document translation, delay costs | 10–20% planning buffer is common discipline |
How to brief finance (one page)
- 1
Role & destination: UK onshore sponsored hire — title, salary band, visa length assumption.
- 2
Setup vs per-hire: Show both lines; do not hide ISC inside “misc.”
- 3
Who pays worker fees: Policy: employer vs worker for visa/IHS — write it down.
- 4
Counsel assumption: First licence / first CoS usually needs a number, even if approximate.
- 5
Risk note: Empty-role cost if timelines slip — the quiet line that wins budget.
Small sponsors and repeat hiring
Small-sponsor rates often apply to licence and ISC categories (confirm the official definition). Repeat hiring amortises setup cost — one-off hires can still be right, but the business case should say so honestly.
Next step
Put this into action on Global Sponsor Hub
Start free with a company profile, add your careers website for the company directory, or review Growth / Scale when you want on-platform applications and hiring tools.
Need immigration or relocation support? Browse mobility partners or list your firm.
What's next
Related guides and links
More on this site: related guides, official government pages to double-check rules and fees, and quick links to jobs and partners.
Guides that pair well with this page
Official sources
Always verify with official sources
Visa rules and salary thresholds change. Confirm current requirements directly on government immigration portals before making any decisions.
| Source | Why open it |
|---|---|
| UK — sponsor licence fees | Official government or regulator page—verify eligibility, fees, and forms there. |
Official government or regulator page—verify eligibility, fees, and forms there.
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Explore employer toolsCommon questions
Are small sponsors cheaper?+
Often yes for licence and ISC rates, subject to the official definition of a small sponsor. Confirm your category before budgeting.
Should we pay the worker’s visa and IHS?+
It is a policy choice with market and fairness implications. Decide before offer stage so candidates are not negotiating in the dark.