Petition · Home Office
Lower sponsorship costs and requirements for skilled immigrant workers in the UK
Closed
38 signatures
What the petition asks
Lower the salary threshold for all industries to the previous rate of £26,200.
Lower the fee for Certificate of Sponsor (CoS) to the previous fee of £239
Lower the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) to the previous fee of £1,000 per year for large sponsors and £364 per year for small sponsors
Lower the fee for Certificate of Sponsor (CoS) to the previous fee of £239
Lower the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) to the previous fee of £1,000 per year for large sponsors and £364 per year for small sponsors
Increase the maximum age for meeting the lower salary threshold from 26 to 30
In 2024, the UK raised skilled worker Visa salary thresholds to £30,960 for people under 26 and £38,700 for people over 26, which we think prices many immigrants out of entry-level roles regardless of skill.
Many employers must now pay £1,500+ annually to sponsor non-UK staff. We think these costs and restrictions make hiring diverse global talent difficult, forcing thousands of skilled workers out, not due to lack of merit, but due to unrealistic, exclusionary policies.
In 2024, the UK raised skilled worker Visa salary thresholds to £30,960 for people under 26 and £38,700 for people over 26, which we think prices many immigrants out of entry-level roles regardless of skill.
Many employers must now pay £1,500+ annually to sponsor non-UK staff. We think these costs and restrictions make hiring diverse global talent difficult, forcing thousands of skilled workers out, not due to lack of merit, but due to unrealistic, exclusionary policies.
Timeline
| 1 Jul 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
38
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
1 Jul 2025
Closed
1 Jan 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 23 Aug 2026.