What does the Global Talent Visa actually cost?
The UK Global Talent Visa has two charging stages plus a health surcharge. Stage 1 is the Tech Nation endorsement, where an expert body confirms you meet the talent criteria. Stage 2 is the visa application itself, made to the Home Office. On top of both sits the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives you access to the NHS for the length of your visa.
The single biggest line item is almost always the IHS — not the application fees. For a five-year grant it dwarfs the endorsement and visa fees combined, so it is worth understanding before you budget.
What are the individual fees?
Here is each charge, the amount, and the point in the process at which you pay it. All amounts are current at June 2026 and should always be re-checked on GOV.UK, because Home Office fees change regularly.
| Fee | Amount | When you pay it |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 — Tech Nation endorsement | £561 | At the start, when you submit the endorsement application |
| Stage 2 — Visa application | £205 | After endorsement, when you apply for the visa |
| Combined Home Office fee | £766 | Total of the two application fees above |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), adult | £1,035 / yr | In full, up front, with the visa application |
| IHS over a 5-year visa (adult) | £5,175 | Paid as one up-front lump sum |
| Indicative 5-year total (single adult) | ≈ £5,900–£6,300 | Government cost only — excludes optional extras |
Source: GOV.UK — Global Talent visa. Figures current at June 2026; always verify the latest amounts before applying.
What is the total at a glance?
If you want a single number to budget around, use the figures below for one adult applying for the maximum five-year visa.
Are there any other costs to budget for?
Beyond the core fees, several optional or situational costs can apply. None are mandatory for every applicant, but it is worth knowing they exist so there are no surprises.
- Priority / super-priority processing — faster decisions for an extra fee, where available. Useful if you are on a deadline. Verify availability and price on GOV.UK.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test — required for applicants who have been living in certain countries. Cost varies by clinic and location.
- Biometrics — providing fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre; a small fee may apply at some overseas centres.
- Document translation — certified English translations for any supporting documents not already in English.
What does professional help cost?
Professional help is optional and entirely separate from the government fees above. The endorsement stage is where most applications fail — usually on presentation, not talent — so many applicants choose to invest in getting that stage right. Here is how the options compare.
| Option | Indicative cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | £0 help | You research and build the whole application alone |
| Fit Assessment (ours) | £200 | Written, scored go/no-go report, credited to any package |
| Fit Assessment (ours) | £200 | Scored go/no-go report — credited to any package |
| Done-with-you (ours) | from £2,500 | We refine your drafts, curate evidence and review |
| End-to-End (ours) | £4,000 | We build the full application from scratch |
| Concierge (ours) | POA | Fully managed, white-glove service |
| Immigration law firm | £4,500–£9,000 +VAT | Traditional solicitor-led handling |
Our fees are fixed and published; we credit the £200 Fit Assessment against any package you go on to buy. Law-firm range is indicative of the wider market. Government fees on GOV.UK are always separate.
Do dependants add to the cost?
Yes. Your partner and children can join you, but each dependant pays their own visa fee and their own IHS. Dependants do not pay the endorsement fee — that is a one-off for the main applicant. The adult IHS rate is £1,035 per year; the under-18 rate is £776 per year. For a family, the IHS quickly becomes the dominant cost, so multiply carefully across everyone joining you. Always confirm current dependant fees on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
For a single adult applying for a 5-year visa, unavoidable government fees are roughly £5,900–£6,300: £561 endorsement, £205 visa, and £5,175 Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year for five years). Figures are current at June 2026 — always verify on GOV.UK.
Yes. The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid in full when you submit your visa application, covering the entire visa length up front — typically £5,175 for a 5-year visa at £1,035 per year for an adult. Figures are current at June 2026; verify on GOV.UK.
The endorsement fee is generally non-refundable, even if your endorsement is refused. The smaller visa fee may be refundable if you do not proceed to the visa stage. Always verify the current refund position on GOV.UK before applying.
Yes. Each dependant (partner or child) pays their own visa fee and their own Immigration Health Surcharge — £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for under-18s. Dependants do not pay the endorsement fee. Verify current amounts on GOV.UK.
The headline fees are broadly comparable, but the Global Talent Visa has no Immigration Skills Charge, no sponsoring-employer costs and no minimum salary requirement, and offers a faster route to settlement. For many tech professionals it is the better value option. Verify all current fees on GOV.UK.
Related reading: processing time, endorsement criteria, who qualifies, success rate & rejections, the Digital Technology route and our services & pricing.
Last updated: June 2026. All fees current at June 2026 — always verify on GOV.UK.