A significant price hike for sponsors of foreign workers has been confirmed to take effect on 16 December 2025. From this date onwards, when a foreign worker is sponsored, sponsors will be required to pay £1,320 per worker per year of sponsorship, up from the current rate of £1,000 per worker per year. For small/micro companies, and charities, the reduced rate will be £480 per worker per year compared to £364 currently.
A worker whose Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned to them before 16 December, will pay the current rate.
According to Alex Finch, partner at employment and business immigration law firm, Constantine Law, the impact of the costs increases is especially significant, since sponsors face potentially sponsoring workers for twice as long as at present, with the government planning to extend the standard qualifying period for settlement (ILR) to ten years, compared to the current 5-year path. The government is launching a consultation on this change to ILR (indefinite leave to remain) in Autumn 2025 but has made clear its intentions.
Assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship, on the part of the sponsor, allows the worker to then submit his/her immigration application. The application must be submitted within three months of assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Alex Finch comments: “These costs increases will be a significant factor for sponsors to budget for, and early planning will be essential to secure the talent pipeline for businesses. Those with sponsored workers whose permission is due to expire soon may consider bringing forward the date of re-sponsorship.
It is also important to note that the cost of the immigration skills charge, and Certificate of Sponsorship, must be borne by the sponsor, and cannot be paid by the worker in any way.”
This press release appeared on 6 November 2025.