Highly skilled workers
If you are inside the United Kingdom
This page explains what fee you must pay if you are already in the United Kingdom and wish to apply under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
The fee you must pay
There are two different fees for the highly skilled worker category:
- £350 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application for initial entry (switching) into Tier 1 General (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter); andÂ
- £750 for all other applicants (including applications for extension within the highly skilled worker category if you are currently in the United Kingdom under HSMP).
Dependant applications for your spouse, partner or children under 18 which are sent together with your own form are free of charge. Dependant applications for children over 18, or any dependant applications sent separately or later, will have to pay an extra fee of £395.
You must send in your fee or we will not consider your application.
How to fill in the payment slip
It is very important that you complete the payment slip correctly. Errors prevent the payment being processed and will delay the decision-making process.
Fill in the details of the person who is making the payment in case we have a payment question. If we cannot deal with the payment, the application and payment are returned to the contact name and address given in section 1.
Your fee if you withdraw your application
Once your application is received by the payment handling service, the fee is charged and cannot be refunded.
What happens if you send duplicate applications
If you send more than one application, each application will cost the standard fee.
People who are exempt from paying a fee
Nationals of the following countries do not have to pay a fee:
Albania;
Andorra;
Armenia;
Azerbaijan;
Croatia;
Georgia;
FYR of Macedonia;
Moldova;
Turkey; and
Ukraine.
These countries have ratified the 1961 Council of Europe Charter or the 1996 European Social Charter (revised).
Terms explained
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1961 Council of Europe Charter
Also known as the European Social Charter, this document sets out certain rights to improve the standard of living and social well-being of citizens of the European Union. It was updated in 1996.
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1996 European Social Charter
This updated the 1961 Council of Europe Charter, which set out certain rights to improve the standard of living and social well-being of citizens of the European Union.
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HSMP approval letter
A letter from us that confirms you have passed the first stage of the application process for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme because you have the skills and experience required. HSMP approval letters are valid for six months from the date of issue.
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Payment handling service
A company that collects and processes application fees for us.
Contact
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Work permits customer contact centre
0114 207 4074
Customer Contact Centre, UK Border Agency, PO Box 3468, Sheffield, S3 8WA