Immigration Skills Charge & English Requirement Changes

Upcoming Changes to the Immigration Skills Charge and English Language Requirements

The UK Government has confirmed two major changes affecting employers sponsoring workers under the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. These adjustments will impact recruitment planning, eligibility checks, and future sponsorship budgets.

1. Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) Rising by 32% - From 16 December 2026
The ISC, a mandatory fee sponsors must pay when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship, will increase by 32% from December 2026. Sponsors cannot pass this fee on to the employee.

New Annual Rates

• Large sponsors: £1,000 → £1,320
• Small/charitable sponsors: £364 → £480

Because the ISC is paid upfront for the full visa duration, longer visas will see the biggest cost impact.

Example: A five‑year Skilled Worker sponsorship for a large organisation will rise from £5,000 to £6,600.

Employers should factor these higher costs into recruitment and finance planning for late 2026 onwards.

2. Higher English Language Requirement — From 8 January 2026

Applicants under the Skilled Worker route will need to meet a higher English level:

• Current requirement: B1 (Intermediate)
• New requirement: B2 (Upper Intermediate)

This represents a notable increase in the level of English needed across reading, writing, speaking and listening. Some applicants who previously qualified at B1 may no longer meet the threshold, and additional time may be required to prepare for English language tests. Existing exemptions based on nationality or qualifications will remain.

What Employers Should Do Now

• Review upcoming recruitment, particularly roles typically filled by overseas candidates.
• Update 2026+ budget forecasts to incorporate higher ISC fees, especially for multi‑year visas.
• Assess candidate readiness for B2‑level English requirements and consider additional training or preparation time.
• Inform hiring managers so internal teams are aware of the upcoming cost and eligibility changes.

Need Support?

As a Business Immigration Solicitor, I help employers plan for regulatory changes and assess their impact on workforce strategy. If you need tailored advice on budgeting, sponsorship compliance, or candidate eligibility, feel free to get in touch.