Ed Roberts, a cancer researcher based in Scotland, spent over a year trying to hire a senior scientist for his lab—a delay he attributes to the UK’s steep visa costs that are deterring international talent.
According to the Royal Society, immigration fees for foreign workers in the UK are up to 17 times higher than in other leading scientific nations. These costs are significantly inflated by the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), a mandatory upfront payment for access to the UK’s public health service.
Scientists, policy experts, and lawmakers said that the high costs are making it harder to attract skilled professionals from abroad, posing a threat to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s goal of boosting economic growth through innovation. The fees may also discourage researchers from relocating to Britain, particularly those considering leaving the U.S. after former President Donald Trump’s research funding cuts.
“If we can’t convince people to come here, they’re going somewhere else,” said Roberts, who had interviewed both domestic and international candidates. “It’s definitely slowing down research.”
The UK has increased visa fees in recent years as part of efforts to reduce net migration. Roberts recounted how an immunology expert from Hong Kong declined a job offer due to the approximately £15,000 ($19,800) upfront cost he would face to relocate with his wife and child. While Roberts’ lab reimburses employee visa fees, it cannot cover costs for their families—a common limitation among UK employers.
French researcher Baptiste Brauge, who accepted a role in Roberts’ lab, described the £4,400 visa bill he initially paid as “frightening,” despite later being reimbursed.
The IHS alone rose 66% last year, now standing at £1,035 per adult annually. “As soon as these kinds of costs go up, the number of applicants goes down,” Roberts noted. “It makes it harder to sell the UK as an attractive destination.”
Labour shortages in fields like IT and engineering have prompted Starmer’s government to commission a review of the immigration system. While officials argue international comparisons are complex, a policy paper is expected soon, aimed at aligning visa rules with domestic workforce goals and reducing dependence on foreign labour.
Still, the upfront burden remains steep. Immigration expert Louise Haycock of Fragomen reports a typical five-year skilled worker visa now costs employers around £12,120—up nearly 60% since 2021. For applicants moving with a partner and two children, the total can reach £30,000.
Even the UK’s Global Talent Visa, designed to attract top researchers and innovators, ranks as the most expensive of its kind among 18 top science nations, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, China, and France.
Cancer Research UK estimates it will spend £700,000 annually on immigration-related fees—funds it says would be better invested in advancing cancer treatments.
