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Long-term UK work visas, and how to choose yours
Most long-term UK work visas need a job offer from a licensed sponsor. Skilled Worker covers most roles, Health and Care Worker covers eligible NHS and care jobs, and Scale-up and Minister of Religion cover specific situations. These four can lead to settlement. The Graduate visa lets you work without a sponsor after a UK degree.
To hire someone from overseas on a long-term work visa, your business needs a sponsor licence and must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for each worker. You pay the sponsorship fee and Immigration Skills Charge, and take on duties such as right to work checks, record keeping and reporting changes for as long as you sponsor anyone.
- 4 of 5 routes need a sponsor
- Up to 5 years at a time
- Family can usually join
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- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
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Reviewed by Qiyin Chuah, IAA Level 3 · Last reviewed
Compare long-term UK work visas
Four of the five routes need a job offer from a licensed sponsor. The Graduate visa is the only one that doesn’t, but it can’t be extended and doesn’t lead to settlement on its own.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Sponsored Skilled Worker | Sponsored Health and Care Worker | Sponsored for 6 months Scale-up Worker | Sponsored Minister of Religion | No sponsor Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | People with a job offer from a licensed UK employer | Nurses, doctors and eligible health and care workers with a UK job offer | People offered a highly paid role at a fast-growing UK business | Religious workers joining a UK faith organisation | Graduates of a UK degree who want to stay and work |
| Job offer / sponsor needed | Yes, from a licensed sponsor | Yes, from an eligible health or care sponsor | Yes, from an approved scale-up sponsor for the first 6 months | Yes, from a licensed religious organisation | Not needed |
| Minimum salary (general threshold) | £41,700, or the going rate if higher* | Usually £25,000 or the applicable going rate; varies by occupation* | £39,100, or the going rate if higher | No fixed visa salary threshold; minimum wage rules apply | None |
| English level | B2 for new applicants* | B2 for new applicants* | B2 for new applicants* | B2 | None |
| Max initial length | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years | 2 years | Up to 3 years 1 month | 2 years until 2026; 18 months from 2027 (3 years for PhD) |
| Switch from inside the UK? | Yes, from eligible visas; not a visitor | Yes, from eligible visas; not a visitor | Yes, from eligible visas; not a visitor | Yes, from eligible visas; not a visitor | Only from Student or Tier 4 (General) |
| Family can join | Eligible partner and children; restrictions for certain jobs* | Eligible partner and children; care and medium-skilled job restrictions* | Yes, partner and children under 18* | Yes, partner and children under 18* | Existing Student dependants and eligible UK-born children only |
| Leads to settlement | Yes, after 5 years* | Yes, after 5 years* | Yes, after 5 years* | Yes, after 5 years* | No. Switch route first |
| Typical decision time | 3 weeks outside the UK; 8 weeks inside | 3 weeks outside the UK; 8 weeks inside | 3 weeks outside the UK; 8 weeks inside | 3 weeks outside the UK; 8 weeks inside | 8 weeks inside the UK |
| Full guide | Skilled Worker guide | Health and Care Worker guide | Scale-up Worker guide | Minister of Religion guide | Graduate guide |
*Salary exceptions and occupation-specific rates apply. B1 transitional English requirements may apply to eligible existing visa holders. Dependant restrictions vary by occupation and immigration history. Children over 18 may qualify if already dependants. Settlement requires meeting the relevant route’s requirements; five years is not an automatic entitlement.
Already in the UK? Extend, switch or settle
If you’re here on a work visa now, your next step is usually one of these.
What sponsored work visas have in common
These apply to the four sponsored routes: Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up and Minister of Religion. The Graduate visa has its own, simpler requirements.
The detail, such as salary rates and English level, depends on the route and the role.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship
A reference number from a UK employer or organisation with a sponsor licence, confirming the job and its details. You can’t apply without one.
- An eligible role
The job must be on the list of eligible occupations for the route, at the required skill level.
- The right salary
Most roles must meet both a general salary threshold and the going rate for the occupation. Lower rates can apply to new entrants and some health and education roles.
- English language
You must show English at the level your route requires, usually through an approved test, a degree taught in English, or your nationality.
- Funds to support yourself
Usually £1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies that it will cover your costs for your first month.
Hiring someone on one of these routes?
Before you can offer a sponsored role, your business needs a sponsor licence from the Home Office. Once you have one, you take on duties that last for as long as you sponsor anyone.
Certificate of Sponsorship £525 per workerImmigration Skills Charge £480 for small or charitable sponsor, or £1,320 for medium or large sponsor, per year
- Get a sponsor licence. You apply with evidence that your business is genuine and that you have the systems to meet your duties.
- Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for each worker, with the correct occupation code and salary.
- Pay the employer costs. The Certificate of Sponsorship fee and Immigration Skills Charge can’t be passed on to the worker.
- Keep your licence compliant. Right to work checks, record keeping and reporting changes. Sponsor licence compliance.
What a UK work visa costs
The Home Office application fee depends on the route and how long the visa is for. Most applicants also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of the visa, which is normally refunded if the visa is refused. Health and Care Worker applicants don’t pay it.
Decisions usually take around three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks from inside. Fees rise regularly, so if you’re sure of your route it’s worth applying as early as you can.
Worked example
Skilled Worker, 3 years, applying from outside the UK
Application fee £819 + health surcharge 3 × £1,035 = £3,924 per person
Your employer pays the Certificate of Sponsorship and Immigration Skills Charge separately. They can’t be passed on to you.
| Route | Application fee | Health surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Up to 3 years / more than 3 years | £819 / £1,618 | £1,035 a year |
| Health and Care Worker Up to 3 years / more than 3 years | £324 / £628 | Not payable |
| Scale-up | £937 | £1,035 a year |
| Minister of Religion | £819 | £1,035 a year |
| Graduate | £937 | £1,035 a year |
Home Office fees per applicant, from the 8 April 2026 schedule. Dependants pay the same.
How we can help
For individuals and employers, from a first application to keeping a licence compliant.
Visa application package We prepare and submit your application from start to finish. See what’s included → Application checking You prepare it, a regulated adviser reviews it before you submit. See what’s included → Sponsor licence application For employers who need a licence before they can hire. See what’s included → Sponsor licence compliance Ongoing support so your licence stays safe. See what’s included →
What our clients say
What individuals, families and businesses say about working with QC Immigration.
Amin K. 
Monya R. QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.Read the full review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Scott C. I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.Read the full review
Maria R. We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!Read the full review
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QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!Read the full review
Anamaria C. I am deeply grateful to Ninder J. for her invaluable support regarding my son’s citizenship application. After waiting for over a year without progress, she kindly advised me to reach out to our regional MP for assistance. Thanks to her guidance, the application was successfully reviewed and resolved. What stands out most is that Ninder offered this advice freely, without charging, simply as a gesture of good citizenship and genuine care. Her professionalism, generosity, and commitment to helping others truly impressed me. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninder J. to anyone seeking honest, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal guidance. Her support made a real difference for my family, and I will always be thankful.Read the full review
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Solomon P. Good service 👍
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I want to thank QC Immigration, especially Dorota, and Ninder for their great support. My case wasn’t easy at all – I had received a refusal with a 10-year ban because the Home Office considered one of my documents suspicious. It was a very stressful time, but Dorota took over my application and handled everything with so much care and attention. She always explained things clearly, kept me updated . What really makes Dorota special is not only her professionalism, but also her passion and the way she genuinely cares. She fought hard for fairness in my case. After months of waiting, I finally received a positive outcome, and I am sure this wouldn’t have happened without her. I’m truly grateful to Dorota. If you are looking for someone who is not only highly professional but also kind, supportive, and truly dedicated, I can’t recommend her enough.Read the full review
Emilie W.
Competent, empathetic and knowledgable support and guidance through my application for a student visa !! A special thank you to Sara and Xiaohan who supported me through it and who was always quick with answers.
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The team is exceptionally professional, and meticulous. No excuses. I would recommend them to anyone in need any day. Thank you very much.
Questions about UK work visas
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
For most routes, yes. The Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up and Minister of Religion visas all need a job offer from a licensed sponsor, who gives you a Certificate of Sponsorship. The Graduate visa is the exception: after a UK degree you can work for any employer without a job offer.
The four sponsored routes can lead to indefinite leave to remain once you meet the qualifying period in their rules. Time on a Graduate visa doesn’t count. Some specialist routes, such as Global Talent, can be quicker. Current qualifying periods may change under government proposals, so we confirm the position for your case before you plan around it.
Usually, yes. You can normally switch into a sponsored work route from inside the UK with a new Certificate of Sponsorship, unless you’re here as a visitor or on another short-term visa. Changing employer on the same route is also a new application. The Graduate visa can only be applied for from a Student visa.
On the Skilled Worker, Scale-up and Minister of Religion visas, your partner and children under 18 can usually apply as your dependants. Most Health and Care roles allow this, but care workers and senior care workers can’t bring new dependants. On a Graduate visa, only family already here as your dependants can stay.
Some routes don’t need one. After a UK degree, the Graduate visa lets you work without a job offer. Leaders and emerging leaders in their field may qualify for Global Talent, and recent graduates of eligible top universities for the High Potential Individual visa. Our specialist work visas guide covers these.
You pay the Home Office application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of the visa, per person. A three-year Skilled Worker visa applied for from outside the UK comes to about £3,924 per person. Your employer pays the sponsorship costs separately, and our fee is quoted after a consultation.
Tell us what you need help with
A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.
- An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
- A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
- No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
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