UK Skilled Worker Visa: Your Guide to Working in the UK

The UK Skilled Worker Visa offers a pathway for non-UK citizens to work for approved employers in the UK. This visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) Visa and has seen recent updates, particularly regarding skill level and salary requirements. Understanding these changes is important for a successful application.

What Is the UK Skilled Worker Visa and Who Is Eligible?

The Skilled Worker Visa allows individuals from outside the UK to come and work for a UK employer that holds a sponsor license from the Home Office. This system applies to both EU and non-EU citizens since Brexit. Before December 31, 2020, EU nationals did not need a visa to work in the UK, but now they do.

To be eligible, you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor. The job itself must meet specific skill and salary requirements. You also need to demonstrate a certain level of English language proficiency. Once your application is approved, you can typically stay in the UK for the duration specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship. After a continuous period, you may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It is important to remember that your visa is linked to your employer. If you leave or lose your job, your visa may be cancelled, and you will need to find a new sponsor or leave the UK.

Which Jobs Qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

Not all jobs qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa. The role you are offered must be at a specific skill level, which has recently increased. As of July 22, 2025, most roles must be at RQF Level 6 or above, which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. This change means that many jobs previously eligible, particularly in sectors like hospitality and care services, may no longer qualify.

The UK government publishes a list of eligible occupations with their corresponding codes. Your employer will need to provide you with the Standard Occupation Code (SOC) for your job. You can then check if this code is listed as an eligible “higher skilled” occupation. Some “medium skilled” jobs might still be eligible if they are on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List). Your salary must also meet the required threshold for your specific occupation code.

How Do I Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa involves several steps, whether you are applying from within or outside the UK.

First, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license. Your employer will then issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an electronic record with a unique reference number, not a physical document. It contains details about your job, salary, and employment dates. You must apply for your visa within three months of receiving your CoS.

Applications are made online through the UK government’s website. You will fill out the application form and pay the required visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. You will also need to provide your biometric information, which involves having your fingerprints and a photo taken. This can sometimes be done through an app, or you may need to visit a visa application centre.

There are different application types:

• Initial Application: For first-time applicants, or if you are switching from another qualifying visa inside the UK.
• Extension: If you are continuing to work for the same employer in the same role.
• Change of Employment: If you are starting a new job or working for a different employer.

What Documents Are Required for a Skilled Worker Visa Application?

Gathering the correct documents is essential for a smooth application process. You will need to submit several items to support your Skilled Worker Visa application.

Key documents include:

• Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for travel and have a blank page if you are from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland or do not have a biometric passport.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Reference Number: Your employer provides this digital record.
• Proof of English Language Ability: This typically involves passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level B1 or higher. You might be exempt if you are from a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English.
• Financial Evidence: You must show you have at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying. Alternatively, your sponsor can certify on the CoS that they will cover your maintenance costs for your first month.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate: Required if you are applying from a country on the UK’s specified list.
• Criminal Record Certificate: This is necessary if your job involves working with vulnerable people, such as in healthcare, education, or social services, and you are applying from outside the UK.
• UK Visa (if applicable): If you are applying from within the UK, proof of your current visa is needed.
• Official Translations: Any documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Skilled Worker Visa for the UK?

The processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa can vary depending on where you apply and current demand.

• Applications from outside the UK: A decision is typically received within three weeks after you submit your application and provide biometrics.
• Applications from inside the UK: Decisions generally take up to eight weeks. However, due to high demand, some in-country applications are currently taking around nine weeks.
• Priority Services: Available for an additional fee, these can significantly speed up the processing time. For example, a priority service might get a decision within five working days. Availability for priority services can vary.

Always submit your application well in advance of your intended start date or current visa expiry.

What Is the Minimum Salary Requirement for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The minimum salary requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa increased on July 22, 2025. You must be paid at least the general salary threshold or the “going rate” for your specific job, whichever is higher.

For most new applicants, the general salary threshold is now £41,700 per year. There is also a universal hourly minimum of £17.13. You must meet whichever is higher: the going rate for your role or the new hourly minimum, calculated based on a maximum of 48 hours per week. Overtime does not count towards meeting the threshold.

Lower salary requirements may apply in specific circumstances, such as for “new entrants” to the labour market (e.g., those under 26 or on a Graduate visa), or for jobs on the Immigration Salary List, or for certain healthcare and education roles paid on national pay scales. If you are extending your visa or changing employers, different salary thresholds may apply based on when your first Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned.

Can I Switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from Another UK Visa Type?

You can switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from many other UK visa types while you are in the UK. This is an “in-country” application. To switch, you must meet all the Skilled Worker Visa eligibility criteria, including having a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer.

However, you cannot switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from certain visa categories. These include:

• Visitor visas
• Short-term student visas
• Parent of a Child Student visas
• Seasonal Worker visas
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household visas
• Permission granted outside the Immigration Rules

Ensure your current immigration status allows for an in-country switch before you apply. If you switch, your new Skilled Worker Visa will replace your previous immigration permission.

Can Skilled Worker Visa Holders Bring Their Family to the UK?

Yes, Skilled Worker Visa holders can bring their immediate family members to the UK as “dependants.” This includes your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under 18. Children over 18 can also apply if they are currently in the UK as your dependant and remain financially dependent and not married.

Each dependant must make a separate application. Their visa will usually end on the same date as the main Skilled Worker visa holder’s visa.

Dependants must meet financial requirements. You will generally need to show that you have additional funds to support them without relying on public funds. As of current rules, this typically means:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for the first child
• £200 for each additional child

These funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days. Alternatively, your sponsor can confirm on your CoS that they will cover your dependants’ maintenance costs.

There are some exceptions to dependant rules, particularly for care workers and senior care workers. If you were sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker on a Skilled Worker visa before March 11, 2024, your dependants can still apply. However, for those sponsored in these roles after that date, new dependants cannot be brought to the UK.

Does the UK Skilled Worker Visa Lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Yes, the UK Skilled Worker Visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is also known as settlement or permanent residence. This allows you to live in the UK without time restrictions.

To qualify for ILR as a Skilled Worker, you generally need to meet several requirements:

• Continuous Residence: You must have lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years. During this five-year period, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
• Current Visa Status: You must hold a Skilled Worker visa (or a previous Tier 2 (General) visa) at the time of application.
• Salary Requirement: You must be paid at or above the relevant salary threshold for settlement at the time of your ILR application. For ILR, only the full “going rate” for your occupation counts; the discounted rates available at the initial visa application stage do not apply. The general salary threshold for ILR is currently £41,700 per year, or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher.
• Knowledge of Life in the UK: You must pass the Life in the UK test.
• English Language: You must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 or higher, unless exempt.

Recent government proposals indicate that the standard qualifying period for ILR might increase from five to ten years in the future, with some exceptions. However, this is currently a proposal and not yet law.

What Are the Common Reasons for Skilled Worker Visa Refusals?

Skilled Worker Visa applications can be refused for various reasons. Being aware of these can help you avoid common pitfalls.

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Invalid or Incorrect Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Issues with the CoS, such as it being invalid, withdrawn, or containing incorrect information, will lead to refusal.
• Job Not Meeting Skill Level: If the Home Office believes your job does not meet the required RQF Level 6 skill level, or if it is not a genuine vacancy, your application will be refused.
• Failure to Meet Minimum Salary: Not meeting the general salary threshold or the specific “going rate” for your job is a frequent reason for refusal.
• Insufficient English Language Proficiency: Failing to prove your English language ability to the required CEFR B1 level will result in refusal.
• Incomplete Application or Missing Documents: Errors on the application form, or failure to provide all necessary supporting documents, can cause delays or outright refusal.
• Lack of Maintenance Funds: If you cannot demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (and dependants, if applicable) upon arrival, or if your sponsor does not certify maintenance, your application may be refused.
• Suitability Concerns: The Home Office assesses applicants for suitability, considering factors like criminal records or previous breaches of immigration rules. Providing false information or having a problematic immigration history can lead to refusal.
• Non-Genuine Applicant: If the Home Office suspects that your intention to work in the UK is not genuine, or that the job offer is not real, your application will be denied.

Ensure all information provided is accurate and all required documents are submitted to boost your chances of success.