Sponsoring a UK visa can be a significant commitment, not only in terms of the administrative process but also financially. Whether you’re an employer sponsoring a work visa for an overseas employee or an individual sponsoring a family member’s visit or settlement visa, understanding the costs involved is crucial. These costs can vary widely depending on the type of visa being sponsored, the applicant’s circumstances, and additional services that may be required.
Sponsoring a UK Work Visa
Tier 2 (General) Visa
Sponsorship Licence Application Fee
If an employer in the UK wants to sponsor a Tier 2 (General) work visa for a non – EEA (European Economic Area) national, they first need to obtain a sponsorship licence. The application fee for this licence is £536 for small and medium – sized enterprises (SMEs) and registered charities. For larger companies, the fee is £1,476. An SME is typically defined as a company with fewer than 500 employees. This fee is paid directly to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and is non – refundable, even if the licence application is rejected.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Allocation Fee
Once an employer has a sponsorship licence, they need to allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship to the prospective employee. For Tier 2 (General) visas, there is no specific fee for each CoS allocation. However, the employer is responsible for maintaining the sponsorship licence, which includes meeting reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with UKVI regulations.
Visa Application Fee for the Employee
The applicant themselves must pay a visa application fee. For a Tier 2 (General) visa, if applying from outside the UK, the fee is £624 for a standard application. If applying from within the UK, the fee is £1,033. There are also additional fees for services like priority or super – priority processing. Priority processing, which aims to speed up the decision – making process, costs an extra £520. Super – priority processing, which is even faster, costs an additional £1,200.
Immigration Skills Charge
Employers sponsoring Tier 2 (General) visas for non – EEA workers are usually required to pay an Immigration Skills Charge. The amount depends on the length of the visa and the type of employer. For SMEs and registered charities, the charge is £364 per year of the visa. For larger companies, it is £1,000 per year of the visa. For example, if an employer is sponsoring a Tier 2 (General) visa for an employee for 3 years, an SME would pay £364 x 3 = £1,092 in Immigration Skills Charge, while a large company would pay £1,000 x 3 = £3,000.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa
Sponsorship Licence and CoS Allocation
Similar to the Tier 2 (General) visa, employers need a sponsorship licence to sponsor Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visas. The sponsorship licence application fee is the same as for Tier 2 (General): £536 for SMEs and registered charities, and £1,476 for larger companies. There is no specific fee for CoS allocation for Tier 5 visas.
Visa Application Fee for the Worker
The visa application fee for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) visa is £244 if applying from outside the UK. If applying from within the UK, the fee is £335. Again, priority and super – priority processing options are available at additional costs. Priority processing costs £520 extra, and super – priority processing costs £1,200 extra.
Other Potential Costs
Depending on the nature of the Tier 5 work, there may be other costs. For example, if the worker is in a specific sector that requires additional certifications or training, the employer may need to cover those costs to ensure compliance with the visa requirements.
Sponsoring a UK Family Visa
Spouse or Partner Visa
Sponsorship Requirements and Costs for the Sponsor
If you are sponsoring your spouse or partner to come to the UK, there are no direct sponsorship fees in the traditional sense like employer – sponsored work visas. However, you as the sponsor need to meet certain financial requirements. You must show that you have an annual income of at least £18,600. If you have children, the income requirement increases. For example, if you have one child, the income requirement is £22,400. To prove your income, you may need to provide payslips, tax returns, and bank statements. In some cases, if your income is not sufficient, you may be able to use savings to meet the shortfall. The amount of savings required depends on how much your income is below the threshold.
Visa Application Fee for the Applicant
The visa application fee for a spouse or partner visa is £1,523 if applying from outside the UK. If applying from within the UK, the fee is £1,033. There are also additional costs for services such as biometric data collection. Biometric data, which includes fingerprints and a facial scan, is required for most visa applications. The cost of biometric data collection is usually included in the overall visa application fee, but in some cases, there may be an additional charge if there are issues with the initial data collection.
Health Surcharge
Both the sponsor and the applicant need to be aware of the health surcharge. For a spouse or partner visa, the health surcharge is £624 per year for the duration of the visa. So, if the visa is issued for 2.5 years, the applicant would need to pay £624 x 2.5 = £1,560 in health surcharge. This surcharge allows the applicant to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as a UK resident.
Parent of a British Child Visa
Financial and Sponsorship Obligations
Sponsoring a parent of a British child visa also has financial implications. The sponsor, usually the British child’s other parent or a legal guardian in the UK, needs to demonstrate that they can financially support the parent coming to the UK. There is no set income threshold as strict as the spouse visa, but the sponsor must show that they can provide for the applicant’s living expenses. This may involve providing evidence of stable accommodation, income, and savings.
Visa Application Fee and Additional Costs
The visa application fee for a parent of a British child visa is £1,523 when applying from outside the UK and £1,033 when applying from within the UK. Just like the spouse visa, there is a health surcharge. The health surcharge amount is the same as for the spouse visa, £624 per year for the duration of the visa. Additionally, if the applicant needs to travel to a visa application center to submit their application or for biometric data collection, there may be associated travel and accommodation costs.
Sponsoring a UK Visit Visa
General Visitor Visa
Sponsorship Considerations
When sponsoring a general visitor visa for a friend or family member, there are no direct sponsorship fees paid to the UKVI. However, the sponsor may need to provide financial support to the applicant. This could involve covering the applicant’s travel costs, accommodation expenses during their stay in the UK, and daily living expenses. The sponsor should be prepared to provide evidence of their financial ability to support the visitor, such as bank statements, income proof, and a letter stating their intention to support the applicant.
Visa Application Fee for the Visitor
The visa application fee for a standard 6 – month general visitor visa is £100. If the applicant wishes to apply for a long – term visitor visa, the fees are different. For a 2 – year visitor visa, the fee is £361, for a 5 – year visa it is £655, and for a 10 – year visa, the fee is £822. There are no additional sponsorship – related fees for the sponsor, but the sponsor may be asked to contribute to the applicant’s ability to pay the visa application fee if the applicant is unable to do so on their own.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Immigration Advice and Legal Fees
Many sponsors and applicants choose to seek the help of immigration lawyers or advisors. The cost of immigration advice can vary greatly. Simple consultations with an immigration advisor may cost around £100 – £200 per hour. For more complex visa applications, such as appeals or applications with special circumstances, legal fees can range from £1,000 to several thousand pounds. These fees are in addition to the official visa application and sponsorship – related fees.
Document Translation and Certification
If any of the documents submitted with the visa application are in a language other than English, they usually need to be translated by a certified translator. The cost of document translation can vary depending on the length and complexity of the document. On average, a standard page of translation may cost between £20 – £50. Additionally, some documents may need to be certified, which may involve a small fee, usually a few pounds per document, to prove the authenticity of the translation.
Changes in Fees and Regulations
It’s important to note that UK visa fees and regulations can change. The UKVI may adjust fees periodically to cover administrative costs or due to changes in immigration policy. Sponsors and applicants should regularly check the official UKVI website for the most up – to – date information on visa fees and requirements. Failing to be aware of fee changes could result in an incorrect application or delays in the visa processing.
Conclusion
Sponsoring a UK visa comes with a variety of costs, depending on the type of visa. Whether it’s a work visa, family visa, or visit visa, both sponsors and applicants need to be well – informed about the financial implications. From sponsorship licence fees for employers to visa application fees, health surcharges, and potential additional costs like immigration advice and document translation, these expenses can add up. Planning and budgeting for these costs in advance is essential to ensure a smooth and successful visa application process. By understanding the costs involved and complying with all requirements, sponsors can help their applicants achieve their goals of coming to the UK legally.
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