If your organisation sponsors overseas workers, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a cost you need to factor in from the outset.
The ISC is a compulsory fee paid by UK employers when sponsoring foreign nationals under specific visa routes, most commonly the Skilled Worker route and the Senior or Specialist Worker route.
What is the immigration skills charge?
The Immigration Skills Charge was introduced in April 2017. Its purpose is to encourage employers to invest in training and developing the UK workforce, rather than relying heavily on overseas labour.
Money raised through the charge is passed to the Department for Education and used to support skills training across the UK.
When does the charge apply?
The ISC is payable by the employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). It cannot be passed onto, or recovered from the employee.
You will need to pay the fee if you are:
- Sponsoring a worker from outside the UK for six months or more
- Sponsoring a worker already in the UK, regardless of how long the will stay
This charge applies to visa routes such as:
- Skilled Worker
- Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker
- Health and Care Worker
Current immigration skills charge rates
The ISC increased in December 2025. At present, the ISC is charged annually, based on the size of the sponsoring organisation:
- £1,320 per year for medium or large sponsors
- £480 per year for small or charitable sponsors
The fee is usually paid upfront for the full length of the sponsorship period. If the ISC is not paid in full, the Certificate of Sponsorship will be invalid until payment is received.
The sponsor will receive a formal reminder to make the payment. If the charge remains unpaid:
- After 10 working days for standard applications, or
- After three working days for priority applications
the application for entry clearance or permission to stay will be refused.
Key takeaway for employers
The Immigration Skills Charge is a mandatory and non-negotiable cost of sponsorship. With rates increasing in December 2025, employers should review their recruitment plans, budgets and sponsorship strategies now to avoid unexpected delays or refusals.
If you need support understanding your sponsorship obligations or managing visa costs, specialist advice can help you stay compliant and plan with confidence.
