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In 2026, the Home Office fee for a UK Worker sponsor licence is £611 for a small or charitable sponsor or £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor. That is the government application fee, not the full cost of becoming and remaining a licensed sponsor.
Businesses should also budget for professional preparation, any priority processing, Certificates of Sponsorship, the Immigration Skills Charge where applicable and the costs of individual visa applications. This guide separates those costs and explains how Immtell supports employers.
UK sponsor licence costs at a glance
| Cost | Small or charitable sponsor | Medium or large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Home Office Worker sponsor licence application | £611 | £1,682 |
| Temporary Worker licence application | £611 | £611 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker licence applied for together | £611 | £1,682 |
| Pre-licence priority service (optional) | £750 | £750 |
| Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship (per worker) | £525 | £525 |
| Most Temporary Worker Certificates of Sponsorship (per worker) | £55 | £55 |
| Immigration Skills Charge, first 12 months where payable | £480 | £1,320 |
| Immigration Skills Charge, each additional six months | £240 | £660 |
These are Home Office charges, not Immtell's professional fees. Rates are based on the Home Office fee schedule effective 8 October 2026 and the current Immigration Skills Charge guidance. Always check for changes before payment.
What does Immtell charge for sponsor licence applications?
Immtell's standard Home Office sponsor licence application support is generally around £4,500 + VAT. Where an application involves additional complexity, multiple entities, unusual corporate structures or substantial preparatory compliance work, the scope and fee are agreed separately.
Our sponsor licence application fees and packages page explains the available service options and what is included. We recommend reviewing the scope rather than comparing headline fees alone: the work required to prepare a credible business case and assess sponsor readiness can vary significantly between employers.
The Home Office application fee is paid separately by the employer. Any additional Home Office priority fees and later sponsorship charges must also be budgeted for.
Gavin Webster: the cost of getting the application wrong
“A sponsor licence application is not simply a form to complete and a fee to pay. You are asking the Home Office to trust your business to sponsor overseas workers and comply with its duties. That means the business case, supporting evidence, key personnel and HR processes all need to stand up to scrutiny.
Getting it wrong can mean a refusal, wasted fees and delays to recruiting someone your business needs. Getting it right from the outset is about more than securing approval: it is about being ready to operate as a responsible sponsor from day one.”
Gavin Webster
Founder and Managing Director, Immtell
Gavin Webster has 23 years of UK immigration experience, including 13 years with the Home Office and senior roles at EY, PwC and Vialto Partners. Immtell combines that experience with the sponsor compliance expertise of Ewen McKenzie, a former Home Office Regional Compliance Manager who led teams of Compliance Officers.
Watch: Applying for and managing a sponsor licence
Our video explains the application process and the responsibilities employers take on once their sponsor licence is granted.
How does the Home Office decide whether you are a small or large sponsor?
A business is usually treated as small if at least two of the following apply:
- Annual turnover is £15 million or less.
- Total assets are £7.5 million or less.
- There are 50 employees or fewer.
Charitable sponsors can also qualify for the lower fee. The classification should be assessed against the applicable rules, including any relevant group or connected-company considerations. An incorrect classification can affect both the initial licence fee and later Immigration Skills Charge payments.
What other costs arise when sponsoring a worker?
Certificates of Sponsorship
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record created through the sponsorship system for an eligible worker. The Home Office charge is £525 for Skilled Worker and certain other Worker routes, or £55 for most Temporary Worker routes. The correct fee depends on the route; GOV.UK lists the categories.
Employers should check the occupation code, salary, hours, work location and proposed dates before assigning a CoS. Errors can cause visa difficulties, delays and additional expense.
Immigration Skills Charge
The Immigration Skills Charge applies to many Skilled Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker sponsorships, subject to exemptions. It is usually paid upfront when assigning a CoS and is based on the sponsor's size and the length of sponsorship.
| Sponsorship period | Small or charitable sponsor | Medium or large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 months | £480 | £1,320 |
| Up to 3 years | £1,440 | £3,960 |
| Up to 5 years | £2,400 | £6,600 |
These examples assume the charge is payable for the full period. Some occupations and circumstances are exempt. Employers must not pass prohibited sponsorship costs to the sponsored worker.
Visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge
The worker's visa application fee and, where applicable, Immigration Health Surcharge are additional to the sponsor licence, CoS and Immigration Skills Charge. Amounts depend on the visa route, duration, application location and circumstances of the applicant and dependants. They should be calculated separately rather than included in a single generic sponsor licence figure.
Home Office priority processing
The Home Office's pre-licence priority service costs £750 and aims to consider eligible applications within 10 working days. Places are limited, and additional checks or outstanding evidence can extend the process. The service does not guarantee approval or a decision within the target period in every case.
A separate priority service for eligible sponsorship management requests is currently £350 per request. This is not the same as priority processing for the original licence application.
Example: the cost of obtaining a licence and sponsoring one Skilled Worker for three years
The example below combines the initial Home Office licence application fee with the CoS and Immigration Skills Charge for one three-year Skilled Worker sponsorship. It assumes the charge applies and excludes professional fees, visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge and optional priority services.
| Home Office cost | Small sponsor | Medium or large sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor licence | £611 | £1,682 |
| Skilled Worker CoS | £525 | £525 |
| Immigration Skills Charge (3 years) | £1,440 | £3,960 |
| Total Home Office sponsorship charges | £2,576 | £6,167 |
Adding Immtell's standard professional support of approximately £4,500 + VAT would bring these illustrative totals to £7,076 or £10,667 respectively, before VAT on professional fees and any additional immigration or optional service charges. Actual costs depend on the scope and the worker's circumstances.
Who submits the sponsor licence application?
Immtell can prepare the sponsor licence application, supporting documents and business case, and advise on the employer's readiness to meet sponsor duties. The employer's Authorising Officer must formally submit the sponsor licence application. The Home Office may request additional evidence or arrange a pre-licence compliance check.
Common mistakes that make sponsorship more expensive
- Applying under the wrong sponsor-size category, leading to incorrect licence or Immigration Skills Charge payments.
- Assuming the licence application fee covers the CoS, Immigration Skills Charge and visa application.
- Failing to assess the proposed job, salary or immigration route before incurring fees.
- Submitting weak supporting evidence or an unclear business case, increasing the risk of refusal or delay.
- Treating compliance preparation as something to address only after approval.
A Home Office sponsorship licence does not generally need routine four-year renewal, but ongoing compliance remains a condition of holding it. Most licences remain valid while the sponsor continues to meet the rules; some routes have specific validity periods.
What is included in professional sponsor licence support?
Professional support should be assessed by what the adviser actually does: reviewing the employer's circumstances, identifying the appropriate route, preparing the business case and application evidence, assessing key personnel and helping the employer understand its duties. More complex cases may require additional work before an application is ready.
Immtell's sponsor licence application fees and packages page provides the current service options. Our focus is on preparing a defensible application and helping employers understand the responsibilities they are taking on, not simply completing the online form.
Speak to Immtell about your sponsor licence
Plan your sponsor licence application with confidence
Review our fees and service options, or discuss the application and the level of preparation your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK sponsor licence cost in 2026?
The Home Office Worker sponsor licence application fee is £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor. Professional advice, priority processing and subsequent sponsorship costs are separate.
How much does Immtell charge for a sponsor licence application?
Immtell's standard sponsor licence application support is generally around £4,500 plus VAT. More complex applications and additional strategic or compliance work are quoted according to scope. The full service options are explained on Immtell's sponsor licence application fees page.
What is the Immigration Skills Charge in 2026?
For sponsorship subject to the charge, a small or charitable sponsor pays £480 for up to the first 12 months and £240 for each additional six months. A medium or large sponsor pays £1,320 for up to the first 12 months and £660 for each additional six months. Exemptions can apply.
How much is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
The Home Office charges £525 for a CoS under the Skilled Worker route and certain other Worker routes, and £55 for most Temporary Worker routes. Fees depend on the immigration route.
Can I pay to speed up a sponsor licence application?
The Home Office pre-licence priority service costs £750 and aims to consider eligible applications within 10 working days. Places are limited, and further checks or missing evidence can delay the outcome.
Does a sponsor licence need to be renewed?
Most Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licences no longer have a four-year renewal requirement, provided the sponsor continues to meet the rules. Some routes, including Scale-up and UK Expansion Worker, have different licence validity arrangements.
