UK Visa Fees April 2026: Complete Guide for Employers and Sponsored Workers

# UK Visa Fees April 2026: Complete Guide for Employers and Sponsored Workers The Home Office updated its schedule of immigration and nationality fees on 8 April 2026. The same date that HC 1691 came into force also brought revised fee structures across the points-based immigration system. ## Why Fees Changed on 8 April 2026 The April 2026 revision aligns with the broader package of immigration changes introduced in spring 2026, which also included HC 1691 per-payslip salary compliance requirements. The official fee schedule is published at [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-8-april-2026). Always verify current fees before making any application. ## Certificate of Sponsorship Fees **Defined CoS:** Used for Skilled Worker applicants applying from outside the UK. **Undefined CoS:** Used for most in-country applications such as switching employer or extending. Sponsors manage annual allocation requests through SMS. The CoS fee and ISC must not be passed to the worker through deductions or repayments as this creates sponsor compliance risk and may raise employment law issues. ## Immigration Skills Charge The ISC is paid by the employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship. **Small or charitable sponsors:** Pay the reduced annual ISC rate. **Medium and large sponsors:** Pay the standard annual ISC rate. The ISC is charged per year of sponsorship based on the duration of the CoS assigned and is paid when the CoS is assigned. **Exemptions:** Some workers and application types are exempt from ISC. Check the latest [GOV.UK ISC guidance](https://www.gov.uk/immigration-skills-charge) before assigning the CoS. ## Who Pays What **Employer pays:** - Sponsor licence application fee - Certificate of Sponsorship fee - Immigration Skills Charge **Worker typically pays:** - Visa application fee - Immigration Health Surcharge - Priority service fees if chosen The CoS fee and ISC must not be passed to the worker through deductions, repayments, or other arrangements. ## Fee Implications for HC 1691 Compliance HC 1691 requires every payslip for every sponsored worker to independently meet the going rate floor for their SOC code every month. Salary sacrifice arrangements need careful review. If a worker participates in a pension salary sacrifice scheme and the sacrifice reduces their monthly gross pay below the going rate floor, that month may represent an HC 1691 breach. Check every deduction arrangement using the free [HC 1691 checker](https://www.hrchecked.com/hc1691-checker). ## Practical Steps for Employers 1. Review your sponsorship cost model with April 2026 fees 2. Audit salary sacrifice arrangements for every sponsored worker 3. Ensure CoS and ISC costs are not passed to workers 4. Update worker information packs with current fee figures 5. Document all deductions in Appendix D records ## Official Resources - [GOV.UK fees table](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/home-office-immigration-and-nationality-fees-8-april-2026) - [Skilled Worker visa](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa) - [ISC guidance](https://www.gov.uk/immigration-skills-charge) - [HC 1691 checker](https://www.hrchecked.com/hc1691-checker) *This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. HR CHECKED Ltd - Company No. 15604442*