Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to come to the UK, or stay in the UK, to do an eligible job for an approved employer.

It is one of the main sponsored work routes for overseas workers. To qualify, you usually need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship, an eligible occupation code, and a salary that meets the rules for your role.

This route can be useful if you want to work in the UK long term because it can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years if you continue to meet the requirements.

This article is for general information only and is not immigration advice. Emigrate To The UK is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Always check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified immigration adviser before applying.

📌 Key facts at a glance

Route type: Sponsored work visa.

Job offer required: Yes. You need a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Required. Your employer assigns this before you apply.

Eligible occupation: Your job must be eligible under the Skilled Worker rules.

Salary requirement: In most cases, you need to be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. Some lower thresholds can apply depending on the route and circumstances.

English requirement: Most new applicants now need to prove English at B2 CEFR. Some people extending or updating older Skilled Worker permission may still be covered by B1 rules.

Length of stay: Permission can be granted for up to 5 years at a time.

Settlement: This route can lead to ILR after 5 years if you meet the rules.

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🎯 Who This Visa Is Best For

The Skilled Worker Visa is best for people who have an eligible UK job offer from a licensed sponsor and want to work in the UK long term.

It is one of the main sponsored work routes and can be useful if your goal is to build a career in the UK, bring eligible family members, and potentially apply for settlement later.

💡 A Quick Note from Kris: I would start by checking three things before getting too deep into the process: whether the employer can sponsor, whether the job code is eligible, and whether the salary meets the rules. If one of those is wrong, the application can fall apart.

✅ Skilled Worker Visa UK Eligibility

To qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, you usually need to meet several core requirements.

You must have a job offer from a UK employer that is approved by the Home Office. The employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply.

Your job must also be eligible for the Skilled Worker route. This means the role must match an eligible occupation code and meet the correct salary requirement. The job title alone is not enough — the duties, occupation code and salary all matter.

You must also meet the English language requirement, provide the documents requested for your circumstances, and meet any financial, tuberculosis testing or criminal record certificate requirements that apply to you.

💷 Salary Thresholds and Eligible Occupations

Your job must meet the Skilled Worker salary rules.

In most cases, the minimum salary is whichever is higher: £41,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation. Each occupation code has its own going rate, so two jobs with similar titles can have different salary requirements. GOV.UK says the job must be eligible, the employer must be approved, and the salary must meet the minimum rate for that type of work.

Some lower thresholds can apply in specific situations, such as certain extensions, updates, shortage-related rules, healthcare or education roles, or other eligible circumstances. Because these rules can change, always check the occupation code and salary table before relying on a job offer.

Common mistake: Looking only at the job title. Skilled Worker eligibility depends on the official occupation code, job duties, salary level and sponsor status.

🧾 Certificate of Sponsorship

A Certificate of Sponsorship, often called a CoS, is a digital record issued by your UK employer.

It is not a paper certificate. It contains details about your job, salary, occupation code, start date and sponsor. You use the CoS reference number when completing your Skilled Worker Visa application.

Your employer must be licensed to sponsor workers and must assign the CoS before you apply. GOV.UK says you must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Useful guide:

👉 Certificate of Sponsorship UK

🗣️ English language (B1 CEFR)

🗣️ English Language Requirement

Most Skilled Worker Visa applicants need to prove their knowledge of English.

GOV.UK currently says applicants usually need to prove English at B2 CEFR level in reading, writing, speaking and understanding. You may be able to prove this through an approved Secure English Language Test, an eligible qualification, a UK degree, a degree taught in English, or nationality from an exempt country.

If you previously proved English in a successful visa application, you may not need to prove it again. Different rules can also apply if you are extending or updating older Skilled Worker permission.

Useful guide:

👉 UK English Language Requirement

👨‍👩‍👧 Can You Bring Family?

You may be able to bring eligible family members with you on a Skilled Worker Visa.

This usually includes your partner and dependent children if they meet the relationship, age, financial and immigration requirements. Each family member needs their own application and will usually pay their own visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

If approved, their permission will usually be linked to yours. This means their visa normally ends when your Skilled Worker permission ends.

If you are moving with family, budget carefully. Dependants can make the total cost of the move much higher.

🏠 Does the Skilled Worker Visa Lead to ILR or British Citizenship?

Yes, the Skilled Worker Visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

In many cases, you may be able to apply for ILR after 5 years on the Skilled Worker route, as long as you meet the residence, salary, sponsorship, English, Life in the UK and other requirements at the time you apply.

After ILR, some people later apply for British citizenship if they meet the naturalisation rules.

💡 A Quick Note from Kris: If your long-term goal is citizenship, keep good records from the beginning. Payslips, employment letters, travel dates, addresses and visa documents can all become useful later.

💰 Skilled Worker Visa UK Cost

The cost of a Skilled Worker Visa depends on where you apply from, how long you are staying, and whether your job is on the Immigration Salary List.

The standard application fee is £819 to £1,865 depending on your circumstances. GOV.UK says the standard fee is £819 for applications from outside the UK for up to 3 years, £1,618 for more than 3 years, £943 for applications from inside the UK for up to 3 years, and £1,865 for more than 3 years.

If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, the fee is lower. You will usually also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is normally £1,035 per year, and show at least £1,270 in savings unless you are exempt or your employer certifies maintenance.

Remember to budget for dependants too, as each family member normally pays their own application fee and healthcare surcharge.

📃 UK Skilled Worker Visa Documents

The documents you need depend on your personal circumstances, but most Skilled Worker applicants need several key details before they apply.

You will usually need your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, proof of English language ability, a valid passport or identity document, your job title and salary, your occupation code, and your employer’s name and sponsor licence number. GOV.UK lists these as core documents for Skilled Worker applicants.

Depending on your situation, you may also need proof of savings, tuberculosis test results, proof of relationship for dependants, a criminal record certificate for certain jobs, an ATAS certificate for some research roles, or certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.

It is worth checking your document list early, especially if you need TB testing, overseas criminal record checks or translated documents.

🧭 How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa application is completed online.

Before applying, confirm that your employer is licensed to sponsor, your job is eligible, your salary meets the rules, and your Certificate of Sponsorship details are correct.

You then complete the online application, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and prove your identity. Depending on your passport and circumstances, you may prove your identity using an app or by attending a biometrics appointment.

After submitting the application, wait for a decision before travelling or changing employment where relevant.

⏱️ Processing Times

Skilled Worker Visa decisions are usually made within around 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or around 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.

Processing can take longer if the Home Office needs more information, if your documents require checks, or if your case is more complex.

You may be offered a faster decision service depending on where and how you apply, but availability can vary.

📎 Conditions, Changes and Extra Work

A Skilled Worker Visa is linked to your sponsored job.

You can work for your sponsor in the role described on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You may also be able to do some additional work, but you must stay within the conditions of your visa.

If you change employer, move into a different occupation code, or leave a role that was on the Immigration Salary List for one that is not, you may need to update your visa before starting the new role. GOV.UK says you must update your visa in several job-change situations, including moving to a different employer or changing to a different occupation code.

Common mistake: Starting a new sponsored role before updating your visa where an update is required.

✈️ What Happens After Approval?

Once your Skilled Worker Visa is approved, you can work in the UK for your sponsoring employer in the job listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

After arrival, your next steps are usually practical ones: checking your eVisa, getting a UK phone number, opening a bank account, registering with a GP, finding accommodation and understanding your monthly costs.

If you want to stay in the UK long term, keep records of your employment, payslips, addresses, travel dates and visa documents. These may become useful later if you apply for ILR.

Useful guides:

👉 First 90 Days in the UK
👉 Settling in the UK
👉 Renting in the UK
👉 Cost of Living in the UK

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is assuming that any UK job can lead to sponsorship. The employer must be licensed, the role must be eligible, and the salary must meet the rules.

Another mistake is relying only on the job title. Skilled Worker eligibility depends on the occupation code, duties and salary, not just the title advertised.

Some applicants also forget to budget for the full cost, including the application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, savings requirement and dependant costs.

If you plan to change employer later, remember that you usually need to update your visa before starting the new sponsored role.

❓ Skilled Worker Visa FAQs

Do I need a job offer from a licensed sponsor?

Yes. You need a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office. Your employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply.

What English level do I need for a Skilled Worker Visa?

Most new applicants now need to prove English at B2 CEFR. Some people extending or updating older Skilled Worker permission may be covered by different rules.

Is the Shortage Occupation List still used?

The old Shortage Occupation List has been replaced by the Immigration Salary List and related salary rules. Always check the current occupation code and salary guidance before applying.

How much does a Skilled Worker Visa cost?

The standard application fee is currently £819 to £1,865 depending on whether you apply inside or outside the UK and how long you are staying. You may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and show savings.

Can I change employer on a Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes, but you usually need a new Certificate of Sponsorship and may need to update your visa before starting the new job.

Does the Skilled Worker Visa lead to ILR?

Yes, it can lead to ILR after 5 years if you meet the requirements.

Can I bring my family?

Eligible partners and dependent children may be able to apply as dependants, but each person must meet the rules and pay the required fees.

🔗 Related Guides

If you are planning to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, these guides may also help:

👉 Work in the UK
👉 Types of Work Visas UK
👉 List of Companies That Sponsor Work Visas in the UK
👉 Immigration Salary List UK
👉 Health and Care Worker Visa

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