UK Skilled Worker visa from Pakistan: what it really costs

The UK Skilled Worker visa is the main route for Pakistani professionals taking up a sponsored job in the UK. The headline application fee is one number; the total out-of-pocket cost is several multiples higher. This is what to budget realistically for an out-of-country application from Pakistan.

The official application fee

For an out-of-country Skilled Worker visa application, the fee depends on length of visa and whether your role is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List). For a 3-year application not on the salary list, the standard fee is in the range of £700–£800. Always confirm the current fee on the official UK Government visa page before applying — fees rise periodically.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is the bigger line item. It is currently £1,035 per year of visa duration, paid up front. For a 3-year visa, that’s £3,105. For a 5-year visa, £5,175. This grants you NHS access during your stay — it’s not optional and is paid as part of the application.

Tuberculosis (TB) test

Pakistan is on the UK’s TB-test list, so you must obtain a clearance certificate from a UKVI-approved IOM clinic before applying. Cost is typically PKR 8,000–PKR 12,000, valid for 6 months.

Biometric appointment and document upload

You will book a biometric enrolment at a UK Visa Application Centre (run by VFS Global in Pakistan). Standard appointments are included in the application fee, but premium / on-demand / SMS / courier services are charged separately and can add PKR 5,000–PKR 30,000 depending on what you select.

English language test (if required)

If you don’t qualify by nationality or by holding a UK-recognised degree taught in English, you’ll need to take a UKVI-approved IELTS or other accepted test. IELTS UKVI in Pakistan is roughly PKR 47,000–PKR 55,000. Some applicants pay this twice if they don’t hit the required band on the first try.

Document attestation

Depending on your role and sponsor, you may need attested copies of degrees and qualifications. HEC + MOFA + UK High Commission attestation costs are individually small but add up to PKR 5,000–PKR 15,000 in fees.

Maintenance funds proof

Unless your sponsor certifies maintenance, you must show £1,270 held in your bank for at least 28 consecutive days before applying. This is not a fee — but you need access to that capital.

Optional but common: priority processing

Standard processing is up to 3 weeks. You can pay extra for Priority (5 working days) or Super-Priority (next working day) decisions. Priority is around £500 extra; Super-Priority is around £1,000 extra.

Total realistic budget

Adding it all up for a typical 3-year application from Pakistan, without priority processing, the realistic total is in the range of PKR 1,400,000–PKR 1,800,000 depending on whether you also need the English test, attestation, and any premium services. With Super-Priority and dependants, that can easily double.

What to verify before applying

Always confirm current fees on the UK Government’s official Skilled Worker page, the current IHS rate, and the going rate for your specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. Visa rules and fees update regularly — what was true last year may be wrong this year.