Skilled Worker visa
How much it costs
When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:
- pay the application fee - the standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on your circumstances
- pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 per year
- support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)
You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the immigration salary list.
You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.
For example, you’re applying to come to the UK from Argentina for 2 years on a Skilled Worker visa.
Your job is not on the immigration salary list so your visa will cost £719, plus £1,035 for each year of your stay for the healthcare surcharge. This means you’ll pay a total of £2,789 when you apply for your visa.
You’ll also need to prove you have £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK if your employer cannot cover these costs.
Application fees
If you’re applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
- up to 3 years - £719 per person
- more than 3 years - £1,420 per person
If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
- up to 3 years - £827 per person
- more than 3 years - £1,636 per person
If your job is on the immigration salary list
You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the immigration salary list.
The fee for each person applying is:
- £551 if you’re staying for up to 3 years
- £1,084 if you’re staying for more than 3 years
The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay - this is usually £1,035 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
If your employer can support you instead
Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.