Complete Guide to the UK Skilled Worker Visa

What this visa allows

• Work for a Home Office-approved UK employer.
• Work in UK waters if your job requires it.
• Study in the UK.
• Bring eligible family members as dependants.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.
• Take certain additional work.
• Do voluntary work.
• Apply for settlement after 5 years based on current rules.

What this visa does not allow

• Access public funds.
• Claim most UK benefits or the State Pension.
• Change employer or job without updating your visa.

Core eligibility requirements

• Have a job offer from a Home Office-approved employer.
• Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• Work in a job listed on the eligible occupations list.
• Be paid the required salary for the job.
• Meet the English language requirement.

Approved Employers and Sponsor Licences

Only employers with a Home Office sponsor licence can sponsor Skilled Worker visas. If a company does not have a sponsor licence, they must apply. Sponsor licence fees include the above. It normally takes about 8 weeks for the Home Office to process the application.

• £574 for small businesses or charities.
• £1,579 for medium or large organisations.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

The Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record issued by the employer. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving the CoS.

• Contains a reference number used in the visa application.
• Confirms the job details and salary.
• It is not a physical certificate.

Salary and financial points

Most applicants must be paid whichever is higher: £41,700 per year, or the going rate for the job. Each occupation code has its own going rate.

Some applicants may qualify with a salary between 70% and 90% of the going rate (minimum £33,400) if under 26, recent graduate, in professional training, have relevant PhD, postdoctoral research position, or job on Immigration Salary List.

Applicants must usually show £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days (Day 28 within 31 days of application), unless exempt or certified by sponsor.

English Language Requirement

New Skilled Worker applicants must prove CEFR Level B2 English. Existing holders before 8 January 2026 may need only B1 when extending. English exemptions apply for citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Jamaica, Barbados, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Guyana and British Overseas Territories.

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
• Having a UK degree.
• Having a degree taught in English verified by Ecctis.
• Holding a UK school qualification in English (GCSE, A-Level, Scottish National Qualification Level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher).

Visa Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge

• Outside UK (up to 3 years): £769; (more than 3 years): £1,519.
• Inside UK (up to 3 years): £885; (more than 3 years): £1,751.
• Immigration Salary List (up to 3 years): £590; (more than 3 years): £1,160.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year.

Bringing Dependants

Special rules apply for care workers/senior care workers (codes 6135/6136) and medium-skilled occupations. Dependants need: £285 (partner), £315 (first child), £200 (each additional child), held for 28 days.

• Husband, wife or civil partner.
• Unmarried partner.
• Children under 18.
• Children over 18 already in the UK as dependants.

Key Documents Required

• Passport.
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of English language ability.
• Proof of funds.
• TB test results (where required).
• Criminal record certificates (education, healthcare, etc.).
• ATAS certificate (certain research roles).

Settlement (ILR)

ILR allows permanent settlement in the UK. Apply up to 28 days before completing 5 years.

• After 5 years of continuous residence on Skilled Worker visas.