UK Visa Sponsorship Extension Cost Tracker 2026

Detailed Explanation of UK Sponsorship Extension Requirements & Costs (2026)

Planning a visa extension in the UK requires tracking complex fee changes and strict eligibility rules. The Jobbatical Sponsorship Extension Tracker takes the guesswork out of the process by aligning your employee's current status with their Settlement Year Goal (usually 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa).

1. Salary Levels & Eligibility
‍To qualify for an extension, the sponsored worker must continue to meet the route requirements.

• Minimum Salary Threshold: The headline minimum salary is £41,700 or the full going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher.
• Health and Education Pathways: Specific health and education roles may have lower salary floors of £31,300 and £28,200.
• Job Code Requirements: The employee must be continuing in the same role. A change of employer or moving to a new occupation code requires a completely new application and a new CoS.

2. Breakdown of 2026 UK Visa Extension Fees: 
Our calculator generates a multi-year HR budget encompassing the following mandatory costs:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee: Increased to £525 per certificate.
• Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): For medium or large sponsors, the rate is £1,320 per sponsored employee for the first 12 months, and £660 for each additional 6 months. For small or charitable sponsors, the rate is £480 for the first 12 months, followed by £240 for each subsequent 6-month period. Note: The ISC cannot legally be passed onto the sponsored worker.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per person per year for adults.
• Visa Application Fee (In-Country Extension): £885 per person for a stay up to three years, or £1,751 per person for a stay of over three years.

3. The Extension Process for HR

1. Input the Settlement Year Goal: Enter the target year the employee becomes eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
2. Define Company Size: Select your sponsor type (Small/Charitable or Medium/Large) to determine the correct ISC tier.
3. Enter Visa Details: Input the current visa expiry date and any dependants.
4. Generate Budget Schedule: The tool outputs a precise breakdown of CoS, ISC, IHS, and Visa fees required to bridge the gap to settlement.

4. UK Visa Extension Document Checklist

• Valid Passport: Must establish identity and current nationality.
• Current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) / eVisa: Proof of current UK immigration status.
• New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): A valid CoS reference number provided by the employer via the online Sponsor Management System.
• Proof of Maintenance Funds: Bank statements showing at least £1,270 in savings (unless the employer certifies maintenance on the CoS or the employee has been in the UK for over 12 months).