From 6 April 2025, the financial thresholds that define a small company under the Companies Act 2006 have increased — meaning more care providers may now qualify as small sponsors and benefit from lower Home Office sponsorship fees.
Currently, small sponsors pay £574 for a Skilled Worker licence, compared to £1,579 for large sponsors.
The annual Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is also lower: £364 per year (vs £1,000 for large sponsors).
Under the new rules, the turnover threshold for small companies rises from £10.2 million to £15 million, and the balance sheet total from assets of £5.1 million to £7.5 million.
Due to these new financial thresholds, more companies will now qualify as small sponsors, and be eligible to pay lower sponsorship fees.