UK Skilled Worker Visa

Skilled Worker Visa UK: Requirements, Fees and How to Apply

Last updated: 15 January 2026

What is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary UK work visa designed to enable UK employers to sponsor non-UK nationals in skilled roles. The route replaced the Tier 2 (General) Work Visa. It allows foreign nationals to work for eligible employers across a broad spectrum of professions in the UK (including within UK waters).

To qualify, you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor, meet specific skill and salary requirements, demonstrate English proficiency, and show financial stability.

The visa operates under the Points Based System and requires applicants to obtain 70 points in addition to meeting other specific eligibility requirements.

It creates a route for eligible family members to apply and join the main visa applicant in the UK as Skilled Worker dependants.

Role of Employers

Before a skilled worker can apply for their visa, their employer must obtain a sponsor license from the Home Office. This means that the business has met specific criteria and has been granted a sponsor licence. If they do not have one, they must apply for it, which could delay the start of new skilled workers. Once obtained, the sponsor must have Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) they can assign to skilled workers.

There are two Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) categories: Defined and Undefined. Each CoS is unique to a skilled worker. By issuing it, the sponsor confirms to the Home Office that the proposed employment conditions comply with the requirements of the relevant visa route.

A sponsor license can take up to 8 weeks to process, assuming it is accepted on the first application. Therefore, sponsors need to allow sufficient time to have this in place before skilled workers can apply for visas.

Recent Skilled Worker Visa Changes (22 July 2025 and 2026 Rule Changes)

From 22 July 2025, the minimum skill level for the Skilled Worker route rose from RQF Level 3 back to RQF Level 6 (degree level), and the general salary threshold increased to £41,700 per year. Jobs below RQF Level 6 can now only be sponsored if they appear on the new Temporary Shortage List, which covers roles such as skilled construction trades, or qualify under transitional arrangements, and workers sponsored in one of these occupations cannot bring dependants with them.

Workers who were already sponsored on the Skilled Worker route before 22 July 2025 benefit from transitional provisions. They can continue to extend, change employer and settle in RQF Level 3 to 5 occupations, although they must still meet the updated salary rules that apply on the date of their new application.

Further changes have been implemented during 2026 following the May 2025 Immigration White Paper. The government has raised the English language requirement for main applicants from CEFR B1 to B2, increased the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%, and review both shortage lists with advice from the Migration Advisory Committee. A separate consultation on "earned settlement", which could extend the standard qualifying period for permanent settlement from 5 to 10 years, is now pending implementation. If you are planning an application, check the current rules on GOV.UK or take advice before you rely on today's thresholds.

Key Requirements

Skilled workers are workers in competitive fields that benefit the UK and its economy, and you must meet certain criteria to have your application accepted. Your workplace must vouch for you through a Certificate of Sponsorship, and your role must pass the ‘genuine vacancy test’.

To meet the requirements, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over

• Have been offered a qualifying skilled job in the UK

• Provide a criminal record certificate, if required

• Provide a valid TB certificate, if required

• Have the suitable experience and skills for the position

• Be offered a minimum and ‘appropriate’ salary

• Have the required standard of English (CEFR B2)

• Ensure the company has a valid sponsor licence

• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor company before you can apply. The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation

Points

The Skilled Worker Visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants need to accrue a minimum of 70 points to be eligible. These points are divided into 50 mandatory or "non-tradeable" points and 20 "tradeable" points.

Mandatory Points

The mandatory criteria include a job offer from an approved sponsor (20 points), a job at the appropriate skill level (RQF 6 or above unless the job is an eligible shortage occupation) (20 points), and English language proficiency at least at CEFR B2 (10 points).

Tradeable Points

Tradeable points can be earned through criteria, such as meeting specific salary thresholds, having relevant PhD or postdoctoral qualifications (especially in STEM fields), or being a new entrant to the labour market.

Job Offer from a UK Employer

To be eligible for this type of visa, you must have an offer of employment in a skilled job from an approved UK employer. The role must meet specific criteria, typically based on your salary, working hours and job classification.

The job offer must be supported by a Certificate of Sponsorship, which includes the sponsor’s details, and must be used within three months of issuance. The CoS need to provide details about their job title, job description, annual salary, working hours, job’s occupation code and relevant professional details as part of the application process.

If the company has a Sponsor Licence and your job meets the eligibility criteria, you should receive a Certificate of Sponsorship. You must then submit your Skilled Worker Visa application within three months of receiving it.

Eligible Occupations and SOC 2020 Codes

Your job role must fall under one of the SOC Codes (standard occupational codes) specified by the Home Office. These codes, usually 4-digit numbers, describe the nature of your work and determine eligibility.

All eligible occupations sit in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules, using the SOC 2020 classification. Each entry sets out the going rate for that job, so the code your sponsor assigns directly determines the salary you must be paid. Sponsors should match the code to the actual duties of the role, not the job title: assigning a code that does not reflect the work is a common reason for refusal and can put the sponsor licence at risk.

Salary

The Home Office publishes job salary requirements based on a 37.5-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns. In addition to the minimum annual salary, there is also a general minimum hourly rate of £17.13, which applies regardless of any salary discounts that may be applied based on tradeable points.

If you are going to be sponsored in a Health or Education occupation code (SOC 2020), where the going rates are based on the national pay scales, then the hourly rate requirement does not apply.

The new minimum hourly rate of £17.13 is universal, which applies regardless of any salary discounts that may be applied based on tradeable points.

Initial applications

For initial applications with a CoS issued after the July 2025 rule change, the typical salary requirement for a skilled job is either £41,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing – whichever option is higher. The going rate will depend on the occupational code your role falls under and whether any reductions would be applicable based on your circumstances.

There are situations where you may be eligible even if you are paid less, if your job is listed under the Immigration Salary List (ISL) in the UK due to skills shortages in sectors such as construction and health.

New Entrants to the labour market may also qualify with a slightly lower salary. In some cases, you may still be eligible if your salary is at least £33,400 per year. Eligible jobs need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You are under 26 and are either studying, recently graduated or in professional training

• You have a postdoctoral position in higher education or science

• You have a PhD qualification that is relevant to your job in science, technology, engineering or maths – any other subject may raise the salary threshold

• Your occupation is in the Immigration Salary List

Please note that there are different salary rules based on national pay scales if you work in some education or healthcare jobs. For Health & Care Visa occupations on the ISL, the income threshold would be either £25,000 or the occupation going rate. This lower salary threshold applies to national pay scale occupations such as qualifying NHS, Teachers or Education professionals. Again, you must also be paid at least the appropriate rate set by the national pay scale for that role or salary band.

Extensions

For Extensions for those with CoS issued from 22 July 2025, the new minimum salary threshold or the going rate applies, whichever is higher. There will no longer be transitional arrangements.

Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) and the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) allow certain occupations to be sponsored on terms that would not otherwise qualify. The ISL gives a 20% discount on the general salary threshold (reducing it to £33,400), although the full going rate for the occupation still applies. The TSL, introduced alongside the July 2025 rule changes, contains RQF Level 3 to 5 occupations, including many construction and engineering roles, that can still be sponsored on the Skilled Worker route despite the higher degree-level skill threshold.

Workers sponsored in a TSL occupation face extra restrictions: they cannot bring dependants, and inclusion is intended to be temporary while the Migration Advisory Committee reviews each sector. If your job is on either of these lists, look out for announcements later in 2026 as the Home Office is planning to raise thresholds or remove certain occupations from sponsorship.

Financial Requirements

You will need to prove that you can support yourself while living in the UK, without the need for public funds. You will need to show you have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days, the last day being within 31 days of the application date.

If you have any dependents, you will need to show additional funds for each of them:

• £285 for your partner

• £315 for one child

• £200 for each additional child

The financial requirements may not apply to you if you either:

• Have been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more

• Have an employer who can cover your costs during the first month in the UK (up to £1,270)

If the company is supporting you instead, the appropriate section of the CoS should be filled to certify this maintenance clearly.

English Proficiency

To qualify for this Skilled Worker visa, applicants must demonstrate their proficiency in English. Applicants must have at least Level B2 in English, the third tier in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This standard is considered intermediate and indicates that applicants can effectively read, write, speak, and understand English in a work environment in the UK.

Alternatively, language ability can be demonstrated by either having a GCSE, A Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English or having a degree-level academic qualification taught in English.

Exemptions

Applicants who are nationals from one of the following English-speaking countries are exempt from this requirement.

Nationals Exempt from UK Language Requirement

British Overseas Territories

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Exempt majority English-speaking countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA.

Minimum Skill Level

The minimum skill level required is RQF Level 6, which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree level, degree apprenticeship or certain diplomas. The current exception for lower RQF 3 to 5 jobs are those on the TSL, which includes a number of construction occupations. In addition to other criteria, the job must be listed as an eligible occupation for the visa and have a standard occupation code (SOC). This ensures that the job aligns with the skilled worker route guidelines. Sponsors must ensure the job being offered meets these requirements to avoid visa refusals.

Failing to meet the skill criteria can result in a visa refusal, even if the job offer is from a valid UK sponsor. This requirement guarantees that visas are granted only to skilled individuals, thereby maintaining the quality of the UK workforce.

Required Documentation

When you apply online, you will need to provide:

• a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which will be issued to you by the authorized sponsor

• the name of your sponsor and their employer details

• your job title and annual salary

• the Standard Occupation Code (SOC) for your job

• your personal history and details

Passport

You must have a valid passport or other document showing your identity and nationality.

Additional Documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide the following:

• Proof of English proficiency

• TB (tuberculosis) test results if you are from a listed country

• Evidence that you meet the financial requirements and have savings to support yourself in the UK, if your Sponsor has not certified maintenance on the CoS

• Criminal Record Certificate, if relevant to your role

• Valid ATAS certificate if your work is at doctorate level or higher and your work involves researching a sensitive subject

• UK PhD certificate, or your unique Ecctis reference number if applicable

• Provide proof of your relationship with your family members if they are included as dependents.

  • Dependents will be subject to additional conditions as part of their own visa application

Biometric Information

Applicants may use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to submit biometric data. If you are unable to use the app, you will need to visit a visa application centre to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a digital photo. Currently, the Home Office has appointed a commercial provider to process UK Visas and Citizenship applications at these centres.

Criminal record certificate

If you’re applying from outside the UK, you will need to provide a criminal record certificate if you will be working in one of the following sectors:

• education e.g. teachers, education managers, teaching assistant

• healthcare e.g. nurses, doctors, paramedics, dental practitioners

• social services e.g. social services managers and social workers

How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

There are differences in how you apply, depending on whether you apply from outside the UK or from within the UK to extend or switch to this visa. In general, the steps to apply are:

1. Confirm your employer holds a valid sponsor licence and obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.

2. Complete the online application form on GOV.UK within 3 months of your CoS being assigned.

3. Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

4. Prove your identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending a visa application centre to give biometrics.

5. Upload your supporting documents, including proof of English language ability and maintenance funds where required.

6. Wait for a decision: usually 3 weeks if you applied from outside the UK, or up to 8 weeks from inside the UK.

Skilled Worker Visa Costs

The application fee for a Skilled Worker Visa depends on your work arrangements.

Applying Outside the UK

• The fee is normally £819 if you stay in the UK for up to three years, or £1,618 for longer stays for up to five years. Please note that this cost is per person.

Applying Within the UK

• To update, switch or extend your visa, the fee is usually £943 for a stay of up to three years, and £1,865 for longer up to five years.

For Jobs on the Immigration Salary List

• The fees are the same whether you apply from outside or within the UK. The cost is £628 for up to three years and £1,235 for longer up to five years.

Healthcare Surcharge

• You will need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge (IHS), which is usually £1,035 per year per person for each year of your stay. If dependents come to the UK with you, this also applies to them. The government has a online tool to calculate the immigration health surcharge.

Those applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa, a sub-category of eligible medical and social care Skilled Workers, are usually exempt from the IHS fee and benefit from a lower application fee.

QC immigration helps by ensuring your case is well presented and includes all relevant evidence, considerably increasing your chances of being granted a visa on the first try, which will save you time and money.

Immigration Skills Charge

If you apply from outside the UK to work for 6 months or more, or from inside the UK for any length of time, your employer will need to cover an additional charge when they assign a CoS to you. This is known as the immigration skills charge (ISC).

The charge is currently £1,320 per sponsored worker per year for medium and large sponsors, or £480 per year for small businesses and charities. This marks a 32% increase for 2026, so sponsors should budget for the higher rates.

There are some occupational codes which are exempt from this charge

• chemical scientists (2111)

• biological scientists (2112)

• biochemists and biomedical scientists (2113)

• physical scientists (2114)

• social and humanities scientists (2115)

• natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified (2119)

• research and development managers (2161)

• other researchers, unspecified discipline (2162)

• higher education teaching professionals (2311)

Other Costs (Priority Services, Translations, English Tests)

Beyond the application fee and IHS, budget for optional priority services and third-party costs. The priority service for applications made outside the UK costs £500 and expedites by placing your application in front of the queue. Inside the UK, the priority service costs £500 (decision in 5 working days) and the super priority service costs £1,000 (decision by the end of the next working day).

Other common costs include certified translations for any document not in English or Welsh, an approved Secure English Language Test (typically £150 to £200 depending on the provider and country), and a TB test fee if you are applying from a listed country. Assigning each CoS costs the sponsor £525, and this cannot lawfully be passed on to the worker.

Processing Times

Processing times can vary depending on where the application is submitted.

Applying inside the UK

• Applications submitted from within the UK take up to eight weeks to process.

Applying outside the UK

• Applications submitted from outside the UK typically take about three weeks to process.

The application timeline can be affected by various factors, including the completeness of the application and whether additional information is requested. The Home Office may need extra time to review your application, for example, because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified

• you need to attend an interview

• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

• your application is considered as a more complex case

QC Immigration can advise you whether it may be possible to pay for fast-tracked processing, which will depend on the location of the application submission.

How Long Can You Stay on a Skilled Worker Visa?

If approved, visa holders can stay in the UK with a Skilled Worker visa for the duration specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) up to a maximum of 5 years, plus 14 days. Therefore, the duration of your visa can vary depending on your circumstances.

There is no maximum total time you can spend on the Skilled Worker route. You can extend your visa as many times as you remain eligible, and after 5 years of continuous residence most workers can apply for indefinite leave to remain rather than extending again.

After Skilled Worker Visa Approval

Once the visa is approved, you are permitted to work in the job for which you have been sponsored. You can also undertake supplementary employment or voluntary work in your spare time, provided you continue working in your sponsored job.

Skilled Worker Visa holders can study, subject to certain conditions such as providing an ATAS certificate if required. However, access to public funds is not permitted under this visa.

Changing Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa

Major changes such as changing jobs or employers while holding a Skilled Worker Visa requires a new visa application. This Change of Employment process is necessary even if you are moving to a new role with the same company but under a different Standard Occupation Code (SOC). In either case, the employer must be a Licensed Sponsor.

Extending Your Skilled Worker Visa

Extending a Skilled Worker Visa is possible with the same or new sponsor and in the same or new qualifying occupation code. The extension process requires the submission of an online application before the current visa expires, following the Skilled Worker Visa route.

The visa can be extended multiple times, allowing skilled workers to continue their employment in the UK without interruption. Applications must be made online before your current visa expires. Dependents can choose to apply to extend their visa at the same time as you, or at any point before the end of their visa, if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

If the applicant has fulfilled the 5-year residency requirement, you may become eligible to apply for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Switching into the Skilled Worker Route

If you currently hold a leave to remain in another immigration category, you can apply to extend your stay by switching to the Skilled Worker route without leaving the UK, unless you have, or were last granted permission on a:

• Visitor visa

• Seasonal Worker

• Short-term student visa

• Parent of a Child Student

• Domestic Worker in a Private Household

• On immigration bail

• Holder of Leave Outside the Immigration Rules, such as on compassionate grounds

Furthermore, if you have, or were last granted permission as a student, you can only apply to switch into this route within the UK if you have:

• Completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was assigned.

• Finished the course on your CoS before the start date.

• Completed at least 24 months of your course if it is leading to a PhD.

Otherwise, you will need to leave the UK and make an Entry Clearance application from abroad.

Genuine Vacancy Test

The Home Office assesses the genuineness of a vacancy while reviewing applications for entry clearance and permission to stay. A genuine vacancy, as defined in the guidance, is one that:

• requires the jobholder to perform the specific duties and responsibilities for the job and meets all of the requirements of the relevant route

• does not include dissimilar and/or predominantly lower-skilled duties

• is appropriate to the business in light of its business model, business plan and scale

Caseworkers seek to ensure that the role truly exists, the job description has not been exaggerated, and that the position was not created mainly to facilitate an overseas national's entry or stay in the UK. If the role was advertised, they will scrutinise whether the requirements were inappropriately designed to exclude resident workers.

Failing to meet the Genuine Vacancy Requirement can lead to several consequences, including the refusal of a sponsor licence application, the revocation of an existing sponsor licence, and the refusal of a visa application.

The job must remain genuine throughout the entire sponsorship period, not just at the time of application. The Home Office also conducts compliance visits and investigations to ensure ongoing compliance.

Skilled Worker Visa vs Graduate Visa: What's the Difference?

The main difference is sponsorship: the Skilled Worker route requires a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer, while the Graduate visa is unsponsored and lets recent UK graduates work, or look for work, at any skill level. The Graduate visa lasts 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates), cannot be extended, and does not count towards indefinite leave to remain. The government has announced that the standard Graduate visa length will reduce to 18 months for applications made from 2027.

Time spent on the Skilled Worker route, by contrast, counts towards the 5-year settlement period, and the visa can be extended indefinitely while you remain eligible. Many graduates use the Graduate visa as a bridge: they gain UK work experience, then switch into the Skilled Worker route once a company is willing to sponsor them. Graduates may also qualify for new entrant salary discounts, which lower the general threshold to £33,400 for the first years of their career.

Bringing Family Members

If you hold a Skilled Worker Visa, you may be able to bring eligible dependents to the UK. The visa duration for dependents will typically match the expiry date of the main visa holder's Skilled Worker Visa.

Eligible Dependents

Your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner can join you in the UK. For unmarried partners, you must have been living together for at least two years, or provide valid reasons for not living together, such as work or cultural reasons.

Children under 18 years old can also join you as dependents. Children over 18 can continue to be included in your application if they already have dependent status.

Application Process

Each family member must fill out a separate application and cover the required fee if applying from outside the UK. You will need to provide proof of relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates. Other documents may be required, including bank statements, NHS registration, or university/college letters.

Conditions for Children Aged 16 and Older

If your child is 16 or older, they must live with you, cannot be married or in a civil partnership, cannot have children of their own, and must be financially supported by you.

Applying for an Extension or Switching Visas

Dependents can apply for an extension or switch to a Skilled Worker Visa at the same time as the main visa holder, or before their current visa expires.

Pathway to Permanent Settlement

One of the benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa is the pathway it provides to permanent settlement. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). This status allows them to stay in the UK indefinitely and eventually apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

To be eligible for ILR, applicants must meet additional requirements under Appendix Skilled Worker of the UK’s Immigration Rules, with criteria such as:

• Continuous residence

• Sponsorship and salary threshold

• Knowledge of life in the UK

Earned Settlement Changes

The government is consulting on an "earned settlement" model that could extend the standard qualifying period for settlement from 5 to 10 years for most sponsored work routes, including the Skilled Worker route. A consultation was carried out to evaluate the proposals that workers could earn a shorter qualifying period through contributions such as higher earnings or work in public services, while some applicants could face a longer wait.

No changes are in force yet, and it is not confirmed how workers already on the route will be treated. If you are approaching 5 years of continuous residence, it may be worth applying for ILR as soon as you qualify. QC Immigration monitors these announcements and can advise on how the proposals affect your settlement plans.

Skilled Worker Visa Refusal

Common Reasons for Refusal

Skilled Worker visa applicants typically face refusal due to several common issues:

• Not meeting the latest salary requirements for the job as set out in the Appendix Skilled Worker.

• Failing to provide a genuine application.

• Applying under the incorrect occupation code.

• Not meeting the skill criteria for the position.

• Insufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents.

• Submitting documents in the wrong format.

In our experience, providing incorrect or insufficient information on the application form is a primary reason for refusal. Submitting documents in the wrong format, such as missing certified translations, can also result in rejection.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have the right to refuse applications if they suspect the job offer is not genuine or if the applicant has a history of non-compliance with UK immigration rules.

Administrative Review and Reapplying

When you receive a refusal, it is important to review the reasons to decide on the next best step. Immigration lawyers, like those at QC Immigration, have years of experience in helping clients take action after receiving a refusal. For example, we can help:

• Apply for an administrative review: Request UKVI to recheck the decision if a mistake was made.

• Prepare and submit a fresh application: Address the issues that led to the refusal and reapply.

Skilled Worker Visa Statistics

The Skilled Worker route remains the largest sponsored work route into the UK. Home Office immigration statistics for the year ending June 2025 show around 183,000 visas were granted across all Worker categories, roughly a third fewer than the year before. The drop was driven largely by Health and Care Worker grants, which fell by more than 80% from their 2023 peak after care workers were barred from bringing dependants and salary thresholds rose.

Grants under the standard Skilled Worker route have held steadier, with information technology, engineering, construction, finance and professional services among the most common sectors for sponsorship. Refusal rates for properly prepared applications remain low, since most eligibility checks happen at the CoS stage. The Home Office publishes updated figures quarterly on GOV.UK.

Get Help Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa is an excellent pathway for professionals seeking to work in the UK. It requires eligible applicants to secure an eligible job that meets a minimum salary threshold. You should demonstrate that you have sufficient personal savings and meet a range of other criteria defined by the Home Office.

Securing a visa under this route requires careful planning from both the skilled worker applicant and the sponsoring employer. They must have a sponsorship licence, and the applicant needs a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number to include in their application.

Successful visa applications can be issued in as little as 3 or 8 weeks from the time of submission, depending on where you are applying from. Using an immigration lawyer can help ensure your application is accurate and meets all official requirements.

At QC Immigration, we specialize in UK immigration and have assisted many individuals with both standard and complex Skilled Worker visa cases. Whether you need expert guidance on sponsoring a skilled worker, applying for a sponsor licence, or navigating the application process for a Skilled Worker visa, we are here to help.