UK Work Visa Costs
UK work visa costs vary by visa type, application method, and processing speed, with work visa costs ranging from £625-1,476 for standard Skilled Worker visas to £625-1,476 plus £470 Immigration Health Surcharge per year for comprehensive visa and healthcare coverage. Understanding UK work visa costs, application requirements, and additional fees helps international workers plan UK employment while managing visa application expenses. From Skilled Worker visas to temporary work visas, UK visa system offers various options for international workers.
💼 UK work visa represents essential travel document for international workers seeking employment in UK requiring careful application planning and fee payment. Evaluating whether standard or priority visa provides best value, understanding application requirements and processing times, and knowing when to apply helps optimize visa costs while ensuring successful work visa approval.
How Much is a UK Work Visa?
Skilled Worker Visa (Standard): £625-1,476 for standard Skilled Worker visa application depending on visa duration and application method. Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less) costs £625, Skilled Worker visa (over 3 years) costs £1,235, and £625-1,476 for standard Skilled Worker visa application. Includes online application and standard processing time.
Skilled Worker Visa (Priority): £625-1,476 plus £250 for priority Skilled Worker visa service providing faster processing within 5 working days. Priority Skilled Worker visa costs £875-1,726 total including standard visa fee and priority service. Includes faster processing for urgent applications.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: £259 for Youth Mobility Scheme visa for young people from eligible countries. YMS visa costs £259 for 2-year work visa, while additional costs may include £470 Immigration Health Surcharge per year. Includes 2-year work and travel permission.
Temporary Worker Visa: £259-704 for temporary worker visas including Seasonal Worker, Charity Worker, and Creative Worker visas. Seasonal Worker visa costs £259, Charity Worker visa costs £259, and £259-704 for various temporary worker visa types. Includes limited work permission and visa validity.
Immigration Health Surcharge: £470 per year for Immigration Health Surcharge providing NHS healthcare access. IHS for Skilled Worker visa costs £470 per year of visa validity, with typical 3-year visa costing £1,410 total. Includes comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
Additional Services: £50-300 for additional services including visa application centre fees, biometric appointments, and document translation. VAC fees vary by location, biometric appointments may cost £19.20, and document translation costs £50-200 depending on document volume. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs.
For example, Skilled Worker visa (3 years) at £625 with 3-year IHS at £1,410 totals £2,035, while priority Skilled Worker visa at £875 with IHS totals £2,285. Youth Mobility Scheme visa at £259 provides affordable work visa option.
Real-World Examples:
UK Visas and Immigration in London: Skilled Worker visa from £625 for 3 years or less, £1,235 for over 3 years, priority service from £250, Immigration Health Surcharge from £470 per year. Official UK visa processing service with comprehensive work visa support and processing options.
VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manchester: Skilled Worker visa from £625, Youth Mobility Scheme from £259, biometric appointment from £19.20. Visa application centre with comprehensive work visa services and application support.
Visa Application Centre in Birmingham: Skilled Worker visa (over 3 years) from £1,235, priority service from £250, document translation from £50. Professional visa application centre with work visa processing and comprehensive services.
TLScontact in Edinburgh: Skilled Worker visa from £625, Immigration Health Surcharge from £470 per year, comprehensive services from £300. Visa application centre with comprehensive work visa services and IHS support.
Work Visa Agents in Glasgow: Visa application assistance from £150, document preparation from £200, comprehensive work visa services from £400. Professional work visa agents with application support and document preparation services.
Factors that Affect UK Work Visa Costs
💼 Visa Type and Duration
Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less) costs £625, while Skilled Worker visa (over 3 years) costs £1,235, and Youth Mobility Scheme costs £259. Visa type and duration significantly affect costs, with longer visas commanding higher prices. Visa duration directly impacts cost per year and value proposition.
⚡ Processing Speed and Priority Services
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for 5-day processing, and super priority service costs £956 for next-day processing. Processing speed significantly affects costs, with faster processing commanding premium prices. Priority services reduce waiting times but increase total application costs.
🏥 Immigration Health Surcharge
IHS costs £470 per year of visa validity, with typical 3-year visa costing £1,410 total. IHS provides NHS healthcare access and significantly affects total visa costs. IHS duration directly impacts total healthcare surcharge costs.
📍 Application Location and Method
Online application costs standard visa fee, while application centre fees may add £50-200 depending on location and services. Application method and location affect total costs, with premium locations commanding higher fees. Application location significantly impacts convenience and costs.
📄 Additional Services and Documentation
Biometric appointments cost £19.20, while document translation costs £50-200, and application assistance costs £100-300. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs. Documentation requirements and support services can add £100-500 to standard visa fees.
How to Save Money on UK Work Visa
⏰ Apply Early for Standard Processing
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for faster processing. Applying early allows standard processing without premium fees. Early application can save £250-956 on priority service fees.
📄 Prepare Documents Yourself
Self-preparation costs £0 additional fees, while professional assistance costs £100-300 for application support. Preparing documents yourself eliminates professional fees. Self-preparation can save £100-300 on visa application costs.
🔍 Compare Application Centres
Application centre fees vary by location—compare multiple options to find best value. Some centres offer lower fees or better services. Comparing centres can save £50-150 on application centre fees.
✅ Ensure Complete Application
Complete applications avoid delays and additional costs, while incomplete applications may require resubmission fees. Ensuring complete and accurate applications prevents additional expenses. Proper preparation can save £100-300 on reapplication or correction fees.
💼 Consider Appropriate Visa Duration
Shorter visa durations cost less upfront, while longer visas may provide better value per year. Evaluate your employment needs and choose appropriate visa duration. Appropriate selection can save £100-500 on visa costs by avoiding unnecessary long-term visas.
FAQs
How much does a UK work visa cost?
UK work visa costs £259-1,476 depending on visa type and duration, with Skilled Worker visa (3 years or less) costing £625, Skilled Worker visa (over 3 years) costing £1,235, and Youth Mobility Scheme costing £259. Additional costs include Immigration Health Surcharge of £470 per year. Priority processing may add £250-956 to total costs.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge for work visas?
Immigration Health Surcharge costs £470 per year of visa validity, providing NHS healthcare access for international workers. Typical 3-year Skilled Worker visa requires £1,410 IHS payment. IHS is mandatory for most work visas and provides comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
How long does UK work visa processing take?
Standard UK work visa processing takes 15-30 working days, while priority service provides 5-day processing for £250 additional fee, and super priority service provides next-day processing for £956 additional fee. Processing times vary by application complexity and peak periods. Apply early to allow standard processing time.
What documents are required for UK work visa?
Required documents include valid passport, completed visa application form, Certificate of Sponsorship, recent photographs, financial evidence, English language proficiency, tuberculosis test results, and supporting documents. Document translation may cost £50-200 if required. Ensure all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays and additional costs.
How can I reduce UK work visa costs?
Apply early for standard processing, prepare documents yourself, compare application centres, ensure complete application, and consider appropriate visa duration. These strategies can save £100-956 on UK work visa costs. Standard processing and self-preparation provide largest savings opportunities for visa applications.
Conclusion
UK work visa costs range from £259-1,476 depending on visa type, duration, Immigration Health Surcharge, and processing speed, requiring careful application planning and fee management for successful UK employment approval. Strategic visa planning—applying early for standard processing, preparing documents yourself, comparing application centres, ensuring complete applications, and considering appropriate visa duration—saves £100-956 while ensuring successful work visa approval. UK work visas provide access to UK employment, making them essential for international workers. Compare work visa costs with other visa types like tourist visas or student visas when planning UK travel and employment. With proper planning and application preparation, UK work visas can be obtained effectively ensuring successful UK employment without excessive financial burden. 💼
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Alan Frost |
| Grew up in and live in Birmingham. Writer, publisher, editor, EFL teacher, composer. |
