Important news for UK employers and sponsors: From 16 December 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) will increase by approximately 32% for newly assigned Certificates of Sponsorship (COS) on certain visa routes.
Current Fees
At present, the Immigration Skills Charge is:
- £364 per year for small companies
- £1,000 per year for medium or large companies
With the 32% increase, these fees will rise significantly, meaning the cost of hiring and sponsoring skilled workers will be higher starting December 2025.
What This Means for Employers
Budget Planning: Companies will need to factor in higher ISC fees when planning recruitment for skilled workers.
Early Action: Submitting sponsorship applications before the increase may save costs for eligible hires.
Compliance Is Key: Ensuring that all sponsorship applications meet UK Home Office requirements remains critical to avoid delays or penalties.
How Stay UK Can Help
At Stay UK, we assist UK employers in navigating the immigration system efficiently, helping to ensure that your sponsorship applications are:
- Compliant with Home Office rules
- Cost-effective by identifying planning strategies
- Smooth and timely, minimizing administrative delays