Highly skilled workers
If you are outside the United Kingdom
This page explains what fee you must pay if you are outside the United Kingdom and applying under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
The fee you must pay
There are two different fees for the highly skilled worker category:
- £250 if you submit a valid HSMP approval letter with your application (this is because you have already paid for the approval letter), which is payable in local currency; andÂ
- £675 for all other applicants, which is payable in local currency.
People who pay a reduced fee
Nationals of the following countries pay a reduced fee of £615, or £230 if they submit a valid HSMP approval letter with their application:
- Turkey;
- Croatia; and
- FYR Macedonia.
These countries have ratified the 1961 Council of Europe Social Charter.
The fee your dependants must pay
Any dependant applications accompanying your application form must pay £675, payable in local currency. If your dependants are applying under the transitional arrangements and you have an HSMP approval letter, your dependants must show a copy of the HSMP approval letter when making their application to confirm that they are entitled to the transitional fee.
Once your fee has been received by the visa application centre, the fee is charged and cannot be refunded.
Terms explained
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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.