By Andre Atallah, CEO of EP Advisory
It is indeed very confusing but this guide breaks everything down step by step, including home office fees, health surcharge, and additional costs for dependents for your UK Global Talent visa application.
UK Global Talent Visa fees at a glance (2026)
| Fee | Amount (2026) | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement (Stage 1) | £561 | Main applicant only, paid once |
| Visa – main applicant, endorsed (Stage 2) | £205 | Main applicant |
| Visa – each dependant | £766 | Each partner or child (no endorsement fee) |
| Health surcharge (IHS) – adult | £1,035 / year | Main applicant & each adult dependant |
| Health surcharge (IHS) – child under 18 | £776 / year | Each dependant under 18 |
| Priority service (optional, visa stage) | £500 | Faster decision, ~5 working days |
| Super priority (optional, visa stage) | £1,000 | Faster decision, ~next working day |
Typical totals (endorsement route, excluding optional priority):
- Single applicant, 3-year visa: £3,871 (£561 + £205 + £1,035 × 3)
- Single applicant, 5-year visa: £5,941 (£561 + £205 + £1,035 × 5)
- Family of three (you + partner + one child under 18), 3-year: £10,836
Fees checked on GOV.UK in September 2026. The £766 fee has applied since 9 April 2025.
What are the UK Global Talent Visa costs?
The UK Global Talent Visa costs are divided into three main categories:
- Stage 1 Endorsement Fee
- Visa Application Fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Total UK Global Talent visa costs
Here’s an example breakdown for an applicant and their family.
Main applicant alone (3-year Global Talent visa):
- Endorsement fee: £561
- Visa fees: £205
- Health surcharge: £1,035 x 3 years = £3,105
- Total: £3,871
Main applicant alone (5-year Global Talent visa):
- Endorsement fee: £561
- Visa fees: £205
- Health surcharge: £1,035 x 5 years = £5,175
- Total: £5,941
Main applicant with a partner and one child (2-year Global Talent visa):
- Endorsement fee: £561
- Visa fees: £205 (main applicant) + £766 (partner) + £766 (child) = £1,737
- Health surcharge: £1,035 x 2 adults x 2 years = £4,140, plus £776 x 1 child x 2 years = £1,552
- Total: £7,990
Main applicant with a partner and one child (3-year Global Talent visa):
- Endorsement fee: £561
- Visa fees: £205 (main applicant) + £766 (partner) + £766 (child) = £1,737
- Health surcharge: £1,035 x 2 adults x 3 years = £6,210, plus £776 x 1 child x 3 years = £2,328
- Total: £10,836
How much is the application fee for the Global Talent Visa?
It costs £766 (April 2025 change from £716 to £766) for you as a main applicant, plus, you would have to pay health surcharge fees on top: £1,035 per year. If you bring your family with you (partner and children under the age of 18), they would also pay £766 each for a visa and a health surcharge of £1,035 per adult (£776 per child under 18) per year. Example for the family of 3 (you, your partner and a child):
- £561 for endorsement for you
- £205 for visa fee for you
- £766*2=£1532 for visa fee for 2 dependants
Total visa fees: £766*3=£2298. On top of this, you also have to pay the health surcharge fees for each person for each year. See the breakdown here.
Please note, Home Office increased fees from £716 to £766 in April 2025.
Stage 1: Endorsement fee
The first step in the Global Talent Visa process is applying for endorsement. You apply on the GOV.UK form, and the Home Office passes your documents to the relevant endorsing body (e.g., Tech Nation, Arts Council England) to confirm your eligibility.
- Cost for Stage 1 endorsement: £561
Full details are available on the UK Government website.
At this stage, you apply alone, regardless of whether you have a partner or dependents who will join you later.
Stage 2: Visa fees
Once you’ve been endorsed, the next step is applying for the visa itself. This is when your dependents (spouse/partner and children under 18) can join you in the application.
- Visa fee for the main applicant: £205
- Visa fee for each dependent (partner or children): £766
For example, if you’re applying with a partner and one child, the total visa fee will be:
- £205 (main applicant) + £766 (partner) + £766 (child) = £1,737
How much is the Global Talent Visa healthcare surcharge?
The Immigration Health Surcharge allows you to access the UK’s healthcare system during your stay. This charge is applied per person, per year of the visa, and it adds up quickly.
- Health surcharge cost per adult per year: £1,035; per child under 18: £776
Find full details of the health surcharge here.
Example:
If you’re applying alone for a 2-year visa:
- £1,035 x 2 years = £2,070
If you’re applying with a family of three (yourself, partner, and one child) for a 3-year visa:
- £1,035 x 3 people x 3 years = £9,315
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Can you reduce UK Global Talent Visa costs by choosing your visa duration?
One unique feature of the Global Talent Visa is that you can choose how long your visa will last. You can ask for any period up to 5 years, and the duration affects how much you’ll pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Talent vs. Promise:
- Exceptional Talent: You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years.
- Exceptional Promise: You can apply for ILR after 5 years in digital technology or arts and culture. All research and academia endorsements, including Promise, can lead to ILR after 3 years.
The settlement (ILR) application costs £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. Budget for it on top of the visa costs above.
Common Scenarios:
A shorter visa lowers the upfront health surcharge. But each extension costs another £766 plus the surcharge for the new period, so a longer first visa can cost less overall.
Not sure you qualify? See the route that fits most people
Global Talent needs an endorsement for exceptional talent or promise. Most professionals move to the UK on the Skilled Worker visa, so see how it works, who qualifies and the salary thresholds.
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Key points to remember
- Plan for extensions: The health surcharge is paid again each time you extend your visa.
- Refunds when you switch: If you switch inside the UK and paid the surcharge twice for the same period of 6 months or more, you get a partial refund automatically.
- Who gets the refund: It goes to the card or account that paid, so an employer that paid gets the money back.
Planning your next career move? How EP Advisory can help
A visa is only one part of moving your career abroad. You also need a job offer, a CV that works for the local market, and a clear search strategy. That is exactly what we do: we have helped 5,000+ international professionals land roles abroad, from CV and LinkedIn positioning to interview preparation and salary negotiation.
Not sure you qualify? See the route that fits most people
Global Talent needs an endorsement for exceptional talent or promise. Most professionals move to the UK on the Skilled Worker visa, so see how it works, who qualifies and the salary thresholds.
