Rates per sponsored worker per year: £364 for small/charitable sponsors, £1,000 for medium and large sponsors. The full amount for the whole sponsorship period (up to 5 years) is paid upfront when the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned. Refunds are available if the sponsorship ends early. Some roles are exempt (PhD-level SOC codes, intra-company transfers under 36 months, students switching). The ISC is on top of the visa application fee, NHS surcharge, and the CoS fee — total cost for a 5-year skilled worker can exceed £10,000 to the employer.