UK Skilled Worker visa cost calculator 2026
Calculate the published application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, optional priority charges and maintenance funds for a Skilled Worker application inside or outside the UK.
What a Skilled Worker visa can cost in 2026
£819 application fee + approximately £3,105 IHS for one adult.
£943 application fee + approximately £3,105 IHS for one adult.
£1,618 application fee + approximately £5,175 IHS for one adult.
£1,865 application fee + approximately £5,175 IHS for one adult.
These examples exclude dependants, priority services and commercial appointment charges. Maintenance funds are evidence—not an amount paid with the application.
Estimate application charges
This calculator covers the standard Skilled Worker route and optional published faster-decision charges. It does not calculate translations, appointment-provider charges or Health and Care Visa exemptions.
Itemised estimate
How maintenance works: £1,270 is not one month’s living cost and it is not charged for every month or year of the visa. Where proof is required, the main applicant normally holds at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days; day 28 must be within 31 days before applying. Sponsorship alone is not an exemption. The sponsor must specifically certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship. The 12-month exception must be considered separately for each dependant. The official application calculates the exact IHS, including partial years.
How the Skilled Worker visa cost is calculated
The total normally combines the application fee and IHS. The fee changes according to whether the application is made inside or outside the UK, whether permission is for up to three years or more than three years, and whether the job is on the Immigration Salary List. Each dependant normally pays separately.
Use the duration field above for the IHS estimate. The official application calculates partial years and remains the final source for the amount payable.
Common fee questions
How much does a 3-year Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026?+
For one standard adult application, the published application fee is £819 outside the UK or £943 inside the UK. Three whole years of IHS is approximately £3,105, giving an indicative total of £3,924 outside the UK or £4,048 inside the UK before optional services. The official application calculates the exact IHS.
How much does a 5-year Skilled Worker visa cost?+
For one standard adult application, the published application fee is £1,618 outside the UK or £1,865 inside the UK. Five whole years of IHS is approximately £5,175, giving an indicative total of £6,793 outside the UK or £7,040 inside the UK before optional services.
Is the £1,270 maintenance amount paid to the Home Office?+
No. Where it must be proved, £1,270 is a one-off balance held as financial evidence, normally for 28 consecutive days. It is not a government fee and is not multiplied by the visa duration.
Does sponsorship remove the maintenance requirement?+
Not automatically. The sponsor must specifically certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship, unless another exception applies, such as the relevant 12-month valid-UK-visa exception.
How much are priority and super priority services?+
Where available, priority costs £500 per applicant and super priority costs £1,000 per applicant in addition to the application fee. Availability depends on the route, location and appointment capacity.
Do Skilled Worker dependants pay application fees and IHS?+
Eligible partners and children normally make separate applications and pay the relevant application fee and IHS. The calculator can estimate adult and child charges, but the official application provides the final figure.
What the calculator includes
- Standard application fees for applications inside and outside the UK.
- Lower application fees for jobs on the Immigration Salary List.
- Adult and child IHS estimates by visa duration.
- Optional priority and super priority charges per applicant.
- One-off maintenance funds for the main applicant and dependants where evidence is required.
Charges to verify separately
- Partial-year IHS calculations made by the official application.
- Health and Care Visa fee and IHS exemptions.
- Commercial visa application centre and appointment charges.
- Translation, travel and document-preparation costs.
- Whether a faster-decision service is offered for the application.
Check the current GOV.UK rules
The official application and GOV.UK determine the final requirements and charges.