Fees
CoS & Skilled Worker Visa Fees

CoS & Skilled Worker Visa Fees

Explore our professional fees for CoS eligibility assessments, assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), Skilled Worker visa applications, CoS allocation increases and priority processing. Clear pricing, with no hidden costs.
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Before you read the fees

What You Are Paying For

Once your Home Office sponsor licence is in place, sponsoring a worker involves several steps: assessing eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), assigning the CoS through the Sponsor Management System (SMS), and supporting the worker with their Skilled Worker visa application.

You can instruct Immtell for any of these services individually or for the complete process, depending on your requirements.

We recommend combining CoS and visa application support wherever possible. This allows us to manage both stages together, ensuring the information provided is consistent, identifying potential issues before submission and reducing the administrative burden on your business.

Immtell's professional fees are separate from Home Office fees. Any applicable Home Office fees are paid directly to the Home Office, with no mark-up, and are not included in our invoices. Current Home Office fees are published on GOV.UK.
Why fees vary.

Why CoS and Visa Fees Vary

Our fees depend on the services you require, whether you instruct us for individual stages or combined CoS and visa support, and whether priority processing is needed. Compare our most commonly requested services below.
Preparing & Assigning a CoS
£1,500 +VAT
Preparation and drafting of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Review of CoS details against the information provided
Assigning the CoS through the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS)
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Most Popular
Combined CoS & Skilled Worker Visa
£2,200 +VAT
Preparation and assigning of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Preparation and submission of the sponsored worker's Skilled Worker visa application
Both stages managed together to reduce errors, avoid delays and minimise disruption to your business.
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CoS Allocation Increase
£1,000 +VAT
Assessment of your additional CoS allocation requirements
Preparation and submission of the allocation increase request
Responding to Home Office requests for further information
Optional priority slot support: £495 + VAT, payable on success (Home Office fee separate)
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Market context.

Why CoS and Skilled Worker Visa Fees Vary

Professional fees vary depending on the provider's experience, who handles your case and the level of support included. Understanding these differences helps you compare more than just the headline price.so for the big 4, you just sold them to

£3,000–£6,000+ + VAT

Big law firms / Big 4
Higher fees reflecting larger firm overheads
Day-to-day work often delegated to junior associates
Senior expertise may be limited to oversight and review
Multiple contacts involved in managing an instruction
Former Home Office visa decision-making experience not guaranteed

£1,500–£3,500 + VAT

Mid-tier immigration firms
Day-to-day work may be delegated to less experienced caseworkers
Direct access to senior advisers can be limited
Senior involvement may focus on reviewing completed applications
Former Home Office decision-making experience not guaranteed
Additional charges may apply for work outside the agreed sco

From £1,500 +VAT

Where Immtell fits
23+ years' UK immigration experience, including EY, PwC and Vialto Partners
Former Home Office Visa Officer with first-hand decision-making experience
Every instruction personally handled by Gavin, not delegated to junior caseworkers
Transparent fixed fees, without unexpected hourly charges
Submission Integrity Commitment included for additional peace of mind
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Immtell offers senior-level expertise without large-firm fees. But the real difference isn't the price. It's who handles your instruction and the experience they bring to it.

Gavin spent more than six years as a Home Office Visa Officer at British diplomatic missions overseas, personally deciding UK work visa applications. He understands how Home Office caseworkers assess Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), scrutinise supporting information and identify discrepancies that can lead to delays or refusals.

That first-hand decision-making experience, combined with senior roles at PwC and Vialto Partners, informs every CoS and Skilled Worker visa application Immtell prepares. Your instruction is handled personally by Gavin, not passed to a junior caseworker working through a checklist.
Who handles your instruction.

Who Handles Your Instruction

Every CoS and Skilled Worker visa instruction Immtell accepts is handled personally by Gavin Webster, from the initial review of your circumstances through to the outcome. There are no junior caseworkers or coordinators managing your matter in the background. You deal with Gavin directly.

His experience on both sides of the process, inside the Home Office deciding applications and in the private sector preparing them informs every sponsorship submission Immtell makes. He knows what Home Office caseworkers are looking for because he was one.

Gavin Webster, founder of Immtell, speaking at an industry event
Fee breakdown.

CoS, Visa and Priority Processing Fees

1
Increase Request
2
Eligibility Assessment and Drafting
3
Visa Support
4
Priority Slot Service
CoS Allocation Increase Request – £1,000 + VAT
If your business needs additional Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), Immtell can prepare and submit a justified allocation increase request to the Home Office. Whether your allocation is running low or already exhausted, we help you demonstrate your genuine recruitment requirements and reduce the risk of avoidable delays to planned hires.
INCLUDE:
Assessment of your additional CoS requirements, including workforce planning and allocation forecasting
Preparation of a commercially credible justification supported by relevant business evidence
Review of proposed roles, occupation codes and salary requirements against current Immigration Rules
Preparation of responses to any Home Office requests for further information relating to the increase
NOT INCLUDE:
Priority slot service, if required to accelerate the Home Office decision (priced separately)
CoS eligibility asseCoS eligibility assessments, preparation or assigning Certificates of Sponsorship for individual workers (priced separately)ssment and drafting, which follows once the allocation is confirmed
CoS Preparation and Assigning – £1,500 + VAT
Before a sponsored worker can apply for their Skilled Worker visa, their employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS).

Immtell prepares and assigns the CoS on your behalf, reviewing the proposed role, occupation code and salary against the relevant sponsorship requirements. Every CoS is personally reviewed by Gavin Webster, whose experience as a former Home Office Visa Officer helps identify discrepancies that could otherwise cause delays or complications with the worker's visa application.
INCLUDE:
Review of the proposed role and appropriate Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code
Assessment of the applicable minimum salary requirements for the role
Preparation and drafting of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Checking job details, salary, working hours and other information for accuracy and consistency
Assigning the CoS through the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS)
NOT INCLUDE:
Detailed eligibility assessment of the individual worker's immigration circumstances, including any personal salary concessions or transitional provisions (available separately)
Skilled Worker visa application support for the sponsored worker (available separately or through our combined CoS and visa service at £2,200 + VAT)
Combined CoS and Skilled Worker Visa Support – £2,200 + VAT
For employers sponsoring a Skilled Worker, having Immtell manage both the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the employee's visa application offers benefits for everyone involved.

Your business benefits from fewer administrative demands, greater consistency and a reduced risk of errors or delays. Meanwhile, your new employee receives expert guidance throughout their visa application, helping them feel supported and confident about their move to the UK.

A well-managed immigration process creates a positive first impression, supports a better onboarding experience and can contribute to stronger employee engagement and retention. With both stages personally managed by Gavin Webster, a former Home Office Visa Officer, potential issues can be identified before submission rather than becoming problems later.
INCLUDE:
Assessment of the proposed role, occupation code and applicable salary requirements
Preparation and assigning of the Certificate of Sponsorship through the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS)
Assessment of the sponsored worker's individual visa eligibility and immigration circumstances
Guidance on required documents and review of supporting evidence
Preparation and submission of the sponsored worker's Skilled Worker visa application
Coordination of the CoS and visa application stages to minimise delays and inconsistencies
Liaison with the Home Office, employer and sponsored worker as required until a decision is received
NOT INCLUDE:
Home Office visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge, payable separately
Visa applications for the sponsored worker's dependants, which can be arranged under a separate instruction
CoS Priority Slot Service — £495 + VAT (Immtell) + £350 Home Office Fee
When your business urgently needs additional Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), waiting for a standard Home Office decision can delay recruitment and disrupt workforce planning.

The Home Office offers a priority service for eligible CoS allocation increase requests, but slots are limited and can be taken within minutes of release. Immtell actively monitors availability and attempts to secure a priority slot on your behalf, helping you access a faster Home Office decision.

Most clients secure a priority slot within 2–5 working days, although availability cannot be guaranteed.
INCLUDE:
Active monitoring of Home Office priority slot availability
Attempts to secure a priority slot on your behalf as soon as one becomes available
Confirmation and instructions for paying the Home Office priority service fee once a slot is secured
Success-based professional fee: Immtell's £495 + VAT fee is payable only when a priority slot is secured
No requirement to appoint Immtell as your legal representative or provide access to your Sponsor Management System (SMS)
NOT INCLUDE:
Home Office priority service fee: £350, payable directly to the Home Office
Preparation or submission of the underlying CoS allocation increase request, unless separately instructed
A guarantee of slot availability or approval of the allocation increase request
Response to a Live Home Office Query — £1,000 + VAT

Received a Home Office request for further information about a CoS allocation increase or Defined CoS request? Even if Immtell didn't prepare the original submission, we can help.

We'll review the original request, identify the issues raised by the Home Office and prepare a structured, evidence-based response. Urgent instructions can be prioritised subject to availability
Standalone Skilled Worker Visa Support — From £1,500 + VAT

‍Already have a Certificate of Sponsorship? Immtell can manage the sponsored worker's Skilled Worker visa application without having prepared the CoS.

We assess the applicant's immigration circumstances, advise on supporting documents, prepare and submit the visa application, and manage Home Office correspondence through to a decision.
Volume and Recurring Sponsorship Arrangements

Employers regularly sponsoring multiple workers may benefit from preferential professional fees and a consistent approach to managing CoS and Skilled Worker visa applications.

We can agree tailored arrangements based on your anticipated recruitment volumes, service requirements and the number of instructions over a 12-month period.

Contact us to discuss an arrangement suited to your business.
Our Submission Integrity Commitment

Every CoS and Skilled Worker visa application Immtell prepares undergoes a pre-submission review informed by Gavin's experience as a former Home Office Visa Officer.

If a refusal results directly from an error in our preparation or submission, we'll correct the issue and support a fresh submission without charging an additional professional fee.

This commitment covers errors within our agreed scope of work. It does not cover refusals arising from undisclosed or inaccurate information, changes in personal circumstances, changes to Immigration Rules or matters outside our control. Home Office fees remain payable where applicable.

While no adviser can guarantee approval, we stand behind the quality of our work.
Payment terms.

When Fees Are Due

1
CoS and Skilled Worker Visa Services

‍50% of Immtell's professional fee is payable on instruction, with the remaining 50% due when the CoS is assigned or the visa application is submitted. CoS allocation increase requests are invoiced on completion of the agreed work.
2
Home Office Fees

Home Office visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are payable separately from Immtell's professional fees. You can pay these directly to the Home Office or, by prior agreement, transfer the funds to Immtell in advance. Any funds received are held in our separate client account and used solely to pay the agreed Home Office fees.
3
Immtell Priority Slot Fee

‍Our £495 + VAT professional fee is payable only when we successfully secure a priority slot. If we cannot secure one, you pay no Immtell priority slot fee.
4
Home Office Priority Service Fee

‍The separate £350 Home Office priority service fee is payable directly to the Home Office once a slot is confirmed.
5
Volume and Recurring Arrangements

‍For employers with agreed volume or recurring sponsorship arrangements, payment terms are confirmed before the first instruction.
Cost factors.

What Moves the Fee Up or Down

Drives costs up
A worker with a complex immigration history
Previous refusals, immigration complications or unusual personal circumstances may require additional assessment and evidence before a Skilled Worker visa application can be submitted.
Urgent instructions
Where deadlines are particularly tight, additional work or prioritisation may be required. Any supplementary professional fees will be agreed in advance.
An allocation increase request following a previous refusal
Where the Home Office has previously refused an allocation increase request, additional analysis, evidence and a more detailed commercial justification may be necessary.
Keeps costs down
Combining CoS and Skilled Worker visa support
At £2,200 + VAT, our combined service is more cost-effective than instructing us separately for both stages. It also reduces duplication, improves consistency and helps avoid errors that could delay recruitment.
Regular sponsorship requirements
Employers sponsoring multiple workers may benefit from preferential fees through an agreed volume or recurring arrangement.
Well-maintained sponsorship records
Accurate Sponsor Management System (SMS) records, up-to-date employment information and organised supporting documents can reduce the additional work needed to prepare an instruction.
Client scenarios.

How the Fees Come Together

Two worked examples showing professional fees and Home Office fees side by side, so you can see the full picture before you enquire.

Scenario 1

Active sponsor recruiting an overseas worker

An established Home Office sponsor licence holder has an available CoS allocation and has identified a suitable candidate currently outside the UK. The role meets the relevant occupation and salary requirements.

Immtell prepares and assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship and manages the worker's Skilled Worker visa application, ensuring both stages are coordinated.
Immtell professional fees
Preparing and assigning the CoS, plus Skilled Worker visa application support (combined)
£2,200 + VAT
Immtell professional fees
Total Immtell professional fees for this scenario
£2,200 + VAT
Home Office fees
Skilled Worker visa application fee
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Immigration Health Surcharge
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Immigration Skills Charge
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Video call consultation showing a document shared on screen
Scenario 2

Sponsor with an exhausted CoS allocation and an urgent hire

An established Home Office sponsor licence holder has identified a new employee who needs to start within six weeks, but its annual CoS allocation has been exhausted.

Immtell prepares the allocation increase request, helps secure a Home Office priority slot and, once the additional allocation is approved, prepares and assigns the CoS and manages the worker's Skilled Worker visa application.

Home Office fees are additional. Priority services may accelerate allocation increase and visa decisions, where available, but do not guarantee approval or a particular employee start date.
Immtell professional fees
CoS allocation increase request
£1,000 + VAT
Priority slot service (payable only if secured)
£495 + VAT
Preparing and assigning the CoS, plus Skilled Worker visa support
£2,200 + VAT
TOTAL Immtell professional fees
Total Immtell professional fees for this scenario
£3,695 + VAT (allocation request, priority slot on success, combined CoS and visa).
Home Office fees
Home Office Priority Service Fee
£350 (paid once a slot is secured)
Skilled Worker visa application Fee
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Immigration Health Surcharge
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Immigration Skills Charge
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
Optional Skilled Worker Visa Priority Service Fee
Verify current rate at GOV.UK
FAQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Home Office visa fees included in your professional fee?

Can I instruct CoS support without visa support, or vice versa?

How does the CoS priority slot service work?

What happens if our sponsored worker's Skilled Worker visa application is refused?

Do you charge by the hour?

Is there a discount for multiple sponsorships?

Ready to Discuss Your Sponsorship Requirements?

Whether you need help preparing and assigning a CoS, supporting a Skilled Worker visa application or securing additional CoS allocations, we're here to help.

Speak directly with Gavin Webster about your requirements, the support you need and the next steps.
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Last reviewed: 27 OCtober 2026

The professional fee ranges on this page are reviewed and updated whenever Immtell's service scope or pricing changes. Where Home Office fees apply, they are set by the government and updated separately.

Always verify current government fees at GOV.UK before instructing.