When applying for a UK Worker visa, you must have sufficient funds to pay the application fee, which varies between £625 and £1,423 based on your circumstances, and pay the healthcare surcharge, which typically costs £624 annually.
UK Work Visa Types
The cost of each type of work visa in the UK changes. The primary visa types are:
Entrepreneur Visa (Closed to new Applicants)
Highly skilled workers and business owners are eligible for this visa. The principal applicant’s Entrepreneur visa costs £1,330, and each dependent is charged an additional £1,330.
Skilled Worker Visa
Skilled workers and internal transfers within companies are eligible for this visa. A Skilled Worker Visa costs depend on the duration of the visa. Skilled Worker Visas up to 3 years will cost £625 per person, but Skilled Worker Visas for more than 3 years will cost £1,235 per person. Additional fees may apply if the applicant is high-income or qualifies for a shortage occupation and the length of the proposed stay.
If you are applying for an extension or from inside the UK then the costs will be more than a new applicant would be. A Skilled Worker Visa up to 3 years will cost £719 per person, but a Skilled Worker Visa for more than 3 years will cost £1,423 per person.
If the job you are applying for is on the shortage occupation list then the applicant and their family will pay a lower application fee. A Skilled Worker Visa in a shortage occupation position up to 3 years will cost £479 per person, but Skilled Worker Visas in a shortage occupation position for more than 3 years will cost £943 per person.
Health and Care Worker Visa
Health and Care Worker Visa’s cost the same as Skilled Worker Visas however if you are applying to work for the National Health Service (NHS) as a GP, the NHS will reimburse any visa costs for the applicant and any dependents.
Temporary Work Visa
Temporary employees, including those on youth mobility programmes and participating in government-approved exchange programmes, may apply for a Temporary visa. A Temporary work visa will set you back £259 for the primary applicant and another £259 for each dependent.
Other Work Visas
Several types of work visas, such as the Representative of an Overseas Firm visa and the Innovator visa, are available in addition to these basic categories. Depending on the kind of visa and period of stay, these permits cost different amounts. There can be additional fees related to the application process in addition to the cost of the work permit. They may consist of the following:
- Healthcare surcharge: Non-EEA nationals must pay this cost to use the UK’s National Health Service. The annual healthcare surcharge for adults is £624, and for minors, it is £470.
- Immigration Skills Charge: Employers who sponsor non-EEA workers under the Skilled Worker immigration programme must pay this tax. For small or charitable enterprises, the immigration skills charge is £364 annually, while it is £1,000 for all other employers.
Final Thoughts
The cost of a UK work permit varies depending on the kind of permission and the duration of the stay. The three main categories of work visas, Entrepreneur, Skilled Worker, and Temporary Work cost between £235 and £1,423 for the primary applicant. There might be additional payments for the application procedure in addition to the cost of the work permit, including a healthcare surcharge or an immigration skills fee.
People also asked..
As a citizen of the UK, must I pay the healthcare surcharge?
UK residents are exempt from the healthcare surcharge.
Are there any savings for a work permit from the UK?
There are no price breaks available for a UK work permit. The UK government determines the fees which must be paid in full.
Does the NHS provide relocation support for Health and Care Worker Visa Applicants?
NHS England may provide funding to help with the costs of relocating international GP trainees’ personal belongings or dependents from overseas once fully qualified. Other applicants may also email the NHS to receive a claims form to submit for relocation reimbursement, however the final decision to reimburse is at the NHS’s discretion.
