Government & Official Fees for UK Sponsorship
(Mandatory for employers – paid to the UK Home Office)
Core Sponsorship Costs (2025 Rates)
| Fee Description | Cost (Small/Charitable) | Cost (Medium/Large) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor Licence Application (Worker route) | £574 | £1,579 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – per worker | £525 | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) – Year 1 | £364 | £1,000 |
| ISC – Each Additional 6 Months | £182 | £500 |
| Skilled Worker Visa Application (outside UK) | ≤ 3 years: £769; ＞ 3 years: £1,519 | Same |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – per year | £1,035 | Same |
| Priority Processing (optional) | +£500 | Same |
Estimated Total Cost (Employer Perspective)
Accounting for licence application, CoS, ISC for one year, visa application, and IHS, the estimated cost per sponsored worker typically lies between £4,000 and £10,000, depending on sponsor size and visa duration—excluding other optional or compliance expenditures.
Important Compliance Update for Employers
Employers are now legally prohibited from passing on the following costs to workers:
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Sponsor Licence fees
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Certificate of Sponsorship charges
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Immigration Skills Charge
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Any related administrative costs
This policy applies from 31 December 2024 for Skilled Worker routes and full enforcement for other routes from April 2025 onwards
Why It Matters for Nigerians in the UK
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Be informed: Employers must now bear all key sponsorship costs—this helps protect sponsored workers from exploitation
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Proper budgeting and understanding of the sponsorship process are vital, whether you’re being sponsored or exploring self-sponsorship as a business owner.
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For self-sponsorship to be valid, the business must be legitimate, viable, and capable of being verified—site visits or officer interviews may occur.
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