Are you planning to move to the UK as a skilled worker? You are not alone. Every year, thousands of professionals from Qatar and the rest of the world apply for the UK skilled immigration program to access better work opportunities.
However, in April 2025, the UK government introduced a significant increase in fees for the skilled worker visa route. It is affecting both applicants and employers. If you are planning to apply for UK skilled immigration, you need to know about these changes and why they are made. In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know about these recent fee updates.
Understanding the UK Skilled Immigration
The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows foreigners with specific skills to live and work in the United Kingdom. You can apply for this visa only when you have a job offer from an employer who is approved by the UK Home Office.
This visa is usually valid for 3 to 5 years and can lead to permanent residence or even citizenship. Many individuals from Qatar choose this route due to its long-term benefits. You can qualify for this visa only when you:
- Have a confirmed job in the UK
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements
- Work in a role listed as an eligible skilled occupation
- Are offered a salary higher than the minimum threshold
Changes in the Fees
The UK government has officially increased several fees related to skilled immigration from April 9, 2025. Let’s go through the major changes made by the UK Home Office.
Skilled Worker Visa Application Fees
These fees vary based on the duration of your job and whether you are applying from inside or outside the United Kingdom. The application fee for a 3-year visa has increased from £719 to £769. Applicants who are applying from inside the UK will have to pay £889.
You may think this is not a big increase. However, when you combine it with changes made to other fees, it becomes a considerable amount.
If you are applying for a 5-year work visa, you have to pay around £1519. Before these updates, the fee was £1420. For applicants applying from within the UK, the new fee is £1598.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee
This certificate is a document issued by a UK employer to support the applicant’s visa application. Without CoS, you cannot apply for skilled immigration. Its fee has been increased by up to 120%. The previous fee was £239. Meanwhile, the new fee after updates is £525.
It means, employers have to spend more money on the hiring process. This can limit the number of companies willing to sponsor visas for skilled workers. Moreover, the UK law doesn’t allow employers to recover this cost from the applicant.
Sponsorship License Fee
Not everyone in the UK can hire foreign workers. Only those with a Sponsorship License can do so. The fee for this license can vary based on the size of the business. For small and charitable businesses, the fee has increased from £536 to £580. Meanwhile, larger businesses have to pay £1579 as a Sponsorship License fee.
Though applicants don’t have to pay this amount, it still affects them. For example, some employers may not hire foreign workers. It ultimately reduces job opportunities for people from Qatar and other countries.
Additional Costs
Apart from these increased fees, some additional costs are also associated with the application process. One of the major costs is the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £1035 per year per person. You have to pay when applying for the work visa. You may also have to pay biometric enrollment and dependent application fees.
Why Are These Changes Made?
The increase in the UK skilled immigration application fees is not random. The UK government has made these changes to:
Reduce Burden on Tax Payers: Processing applications, managing data security, and providing support services cost millions every year. The government has announced these changes to shift the burden from taxpayers to applicants and sponsors.
Limit Applications: Every year, thousands of workers apply for skilled immigration. However, not all of them are skilled or committed to the role they are offered. The government hopes that these changes will reduce the number of applications by non-serious individuals.
Encourage Domestic Hiring: Increased fees for the Letter of Sponsorship and Sponsorship License are stopping employers from hiring foreigners. As a result, they are preferring local workers. It’s creating better options for citizens of the United Kingdom.
Who Are Affected by These Changes?
Both skilled workers looking to work in the UK and employers have been affected by these increased fees.
Applicants
These changes are directly affecting applicants, as they have to pay a higher fee for the application. These increased costs, along with additional fees, can cost applicants several thousand pounds, especially if they are planning to move with their family.
Moreover, some UK employers are now preferring local talent to reduce hiring costs. It is reducing opportunities for skilled workers, making it hard for them to find a suitable employer.
Employers or Sponsors
After these changes in the fees, employers have to pay more for hiring each foreign skilled worker. Therefore, various companies have already delayed or reduced the overseas hiring.
Moreover, they cannot pass these costs to workers they hire because of strict regulations. It has made the hiring process more expensive, especially for industries with limited budgets.
In short, these changes have made the job environment in the UK more competitive for foreign workers. Therefore, they should work with reliable immigration experts, such as DM Consultants, to connect with the right employers and prepare a strong application.
What Should Applicants Do?
Since these changes have already been applied, applicants cannot do anything to avoid them. However, they can take some effective steps to reduce the burden and make the application process smoother.
- First of all, they should start financial planning early. You should understand all fees you have to pay and plan accordingly. When you are financially ready, your application will not be rejected or delayed due to incomplete payments.
- You should choose the employer carefully. Make sure they are licensed and ready to provide a letter of Sponsorship.
- The most important step you can take is to seek expert support. When you have a reliable company, such as DM Constants, to guide you, the application process will become smoother. They ensure you have all the documents ready and pay attention to all details when filling out the form.
Bottom Line
The changes to the UK skilled immigration application fees are directly impacting the skilled applicants from Qatar and other areas who are willing to work in the UK. However, it is also beneficial for serious candidates, as it will reduce the number of applications. With smart financial planning and expert guidance, you can still get your worker visa without any unnecessary hassle.
