Obtaining a work visa in the UK can be a complex process, and understanding the costs involved is an important part of the process. In order to work legally in the UK, both the employer and the employee must pay certain fees associated with obtaining a work visa.
For the employee, the main fee to be aware of is the visa application fee. This fee varies depending on the type of visa being applied for and the length of stay, but generally ranges from £610 to £1,408. In addition to the visa application fee, there may be additional fees for other services such as biometric enrolment or priority processing.
It is important to note that the employee is responsible for paying these fees, and they cannot be paid by the employer. However, some employers may offer to reimburse the employee for the visa application fee as part of their compensation package.
For the employer, the main cost associated with sponsoring a work visa is the sponsorship license fee. This fee varies depending on the size of the company and the type of license being applied for, but generally ranges from £536 to £1,476. In addition to the sponsorship license fee, there may be additional costs for advertising the job, conducting a resident labour market test, and other administrative expenses.
It is important for employers to budget for these costs when considering sponsoring a work visa for an employee. In some cases, the cost of obtaining a work visa may be prohibitive for small businesses, so it is important to consider all options before making a decision.
In conclusion, obtaining a work visa in the UK involves fees for both the employee and the employer. It is important to be aware of these costs and to budget accordingly in order to ensure a successful visa application process.