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Skilled Worker visa solicitors in St AlbansYou have a job offer in the UK.
We help you get the visa right, for a fixed fee.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Skilled Worker visa application
£1,750+ VAT
£2,100 including VAT
- Included
- Advice on your route and eligibility
- A checklist of the documents you need
- We complete the application form
- Cover letter setting out how you meet the rules
- Submission and updates until a decision
- Not included
The Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid directly to the Home Office, for you and each family member.
- Typical timescale
- Usually ready to submit 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents, plus Home Office processing
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
A fixed fee, agreed before we start. Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are extra.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
Skilled Worker visa applicationWhat's included
Timescale: Usually ready to submit 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents, plus Home Office processing | £1,750+ VAT£2,100 incl. VAT | £2,100 |
Express serviceFor when your deadline is close.What's included
Timescale: Ready to submit within 5 working days of receiving all your documents | + £500+ VAT+ £600 incl. VAT | + £600 |
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK£819
Per person, for up to 3 years (£1,618 for longer). Lower fees apply to Immigration Salary List and Health and Care jobs. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK£943
Per person, for up to 3 years (£1,865 for longer). Lower fees apply to Immigration Salary List and Health and Care jobs. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Health Surcharge£1,035 a year
Per adult, paid upfront for the whole visa. £776 a year for children. Health and Care Worker visas are exempt. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Certificate of Sponsorship (Skilled Worker)£525
Per worker. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Skills Charge£480 or £1,320 a year
Per worker: £480 a year for small or charitable sponsors, £1,320 a year for medium or large sponsors. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- English language test (if needed)About £150 to £200
Paid to an approved test provider. The price depends on the test and centre. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Certified translations (if needed)Usually £30 to £60 a page
Paid to the translator. We'll tell you if any documents need translating.
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
The Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid directly to the Home Office, for you and each family member. Your employer pays for the Certificate of Sponsorship. You may also need to pay for an English test, a TB test, or certified translations.
Key stages and timescales
- Free call and fixed-fee quote: Usually within 2 working days of your enquiry
- Preparing your application: Usually 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents, or 5 working days with our express service
- Home Office decision, applying from outside the UK: Usually 3 weeks GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
- Home Office decision, applying from inside the UK: Usually 8 weeks GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
The Home Office publishes current processing times on GOV.UK, for applications made inside and outside the UK. If you're in the UK, apply before your current visa runs out.
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- A UK employer has offered you a job and will give you a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- You're already here on a Skilled Worker visa and need to extend it, or you're changing jobs.
- You want your partner or children to join you, or you're planning to settle in the UK.
What's included
Step 1: Check you qualify
We look at your job offer, your Certificate of Sponsorship, your English, and your immigration history, and tell you if anything could cause a problem.
Step 2: Build your evidence
We give you a clear document checklist for you and any family members, and check your documents before anything is sent.
Step 3: Prepare the application
We complete the online form and check the details match what your employer has put on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Step 4: Submit and keep you updated
We submit the application, explain what happens next, and keep you updated until the Home Office decides.
Step 5: After the decision
If you're granted, we explain your eVisa, the rules you must follow, and when you'll need to extend or apply to settle.
The main requirements
You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence (permission from the Home Office to employ people from abroad). They give you a Certificate of Sponsorship.
The job must be on the list of eligible jobs and pay at least the minimum salary for that job. Check the current figures on GOV.UK, as they change.
You must also meet the English language requirement and, in most cases, show you have enough money to support yourself when you arrive. Some people applying from outside the UK need a TB test or a criminal record certificate.
Extensions, new jobs, and family
Before your visa runs out, you can usually apply to extend it if you're still working for a sponsor. If you change employer, you'll usually need a new application before you start the new job.
Your partner and children may be able to apply as your dependants. They apply on their own forms and pay their own Home Office fees.
The route to settlement
After time on the Skilled Worker route, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which means permission to stay permanently. Settlement rules are under review and may change, so check the current position before you plan around a date.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
When can I apply to settle?
Work out the earliest date you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Free, with no sign-up.
Use the free ilr date checkerNot sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Guides on this topic
- When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?Qualifying periods for Indefinite Leave to Remain by route, applying up to 28 days early, and how time spent outside the UK can affect your date.4 min read
- Spouse visa requirements explainedThe main UK spouse visa requirements: your relationship, finances, accommodation, English language and immigration history, and how each one is assessed.4 min read
- The spouse visa financial requirement explainedThe UK spouse visa financial requirement in plain English: the minimum income, what income and savings count, how to combine them, and the evidence you need.5 min read
Frequently asked questions
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship?
It's a reference number your employer gives you. It shows a licensed employer is offering you a job. You can't apply for a Skilled Worker visa without one.
How much do I need to be paid?
Your job must meet a minimum salary. The amount depends on the job and your situation, and it can change. Check the current figures on GOV.UK. We'll check your offer against the rules.
Can I change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but you usually need to make a new application. Your new employer must have a sponsor licence and give you a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Speak to us before you resign.
Can my family come with me?
Many Skilled Workers can bring their partner and children under 18. Some jobs, such as care worker roles, don't allow new dependants. We'll check what applies to you.
What happens if I lose my job?
Your visa may be cut short. You may have a limited time to find a new sponsor, switch to another visa, or leave the UK. Get advice quickly.
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK?
Often, yes, if you're here on another visa. You can't switch from some visas, such as a visitor visa. We'll check your current visa before you apply.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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