Skilled Worker Visa

Key Takeaways

The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s main work route for people with a job offer from a licensed sponsor. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020.
For most applications the job must be at degree level (RQF Level 6) and the general salary threshold is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.
New applicants must prove English at CEFR level B2 (upper intermediate) from 8 January 2026, up from the previous B1 standard.
Lower salary thresholds still apply to specific groups, including new entrants, people with a relevant PhD, roles on the Immigration Salary List, and certain healthcare and education roles.
The visa can be granted for up to five years, after which most holders may apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers closed on 22 July 2025.

The Skilled Worker visa lets a qualified person come to or stay in the United Kingdom to do an eligible job for an employer that holds a sponsor licence. It is a points-based route, which means an application succeeds only when it scores enough points across a fixed set of requirements rather than relying on a single test.

UK work immigration changed substantially during 2025 and into 2026. Salary thresholds rose, the minimum skill level for a sponsored role moved up to degree level, the English language requirement increased, and the cost of sponsorship grew.

What is a Skilled Worker visa?
Who is eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
Salary requirements for a Skilled Worker visa
Which jobs qualify for sponsorship?
What English language level do you need?
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
What documents are needed for a Skilled Worker visa?
How do you apply for a Skilled Worker visa?
How long does processing take?
Why are some applications refused?
How long does the visa last, and can it be extended?
Can you settle in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?
Tier 2 (General) compared with the current Skilled Worker route
Why Sterling Law?
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Skilled Worker visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored work permit that allows a non-UK national to live and work in the UK for an approved employer. The visa is tied to a particular job with a particular sponsor. While it lasts, it generally allows the holder to:

work in the sponsored job named on their Certificate of Sponsorship;
take limited extra work of up to 20 hours a week in an eligible occupation, alongside the sponsored role;
bring eligible partners and children to the UK as dependants;
study, do voluntary work, and travel abroad and return;
count the time towards settlement, subject to the rules in force at the time of the settlement application.

It does not give access to most public funds or state benefits, and it does not allow the holder to change sponsor or move to a substantially different role without a new application.

Who is eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?

You are eligible if you have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence, the job is at the required skill and salary level, and you meet the English language and financial requirements. Employers that are not yet licensed must first go through applying for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence before they can hire from overseas. The route uses a points-based system in which an applicant needs 70 points in total.

Of those 70 points, 50 are mandatory and cannot be traded: a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a role at the required skill level, and the required level of English. The remaining 20 points are “tradeable” and are usually earned through salary, although they can also come from a relevant PhD or a role on the Immigration Salary List.

In practice, this means an applicant must satisfy each of the following:

hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved employer;
be offered a genuine job at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above, listed in the eligible occupation tables;
be paid at least the salary required for their situation;
prove English to at least level B2;
show personal savings of at least £1,270, held for 28 consecutive days before applying, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance instead.

Salary requirements for a Skilled Worker visa

For most applications made on or after 22 July 2025, the worker must be paid at least £41,700 a year, or the published going rate for the specific occupation, whichever is higher. The going rate is set by occupation code, so a role with a high going rate must meet that higher figure even though the general threshold is £41,700.

There is also an hourly floor. For most standard roles, pay is assessed against a minimum of £17.13 an hour, calculated on no more than 48 paid hours a week. A salary can clear the annual figure on paper yet still fail if the hourly rate falls short.

Several groups can qualify on lower salaries, provided they meet the relevant percentage of the going rate as well. The table below summarises the main options.

Salary option	Who it applies to	Minimum annual salary	Going-rate test
Standard	Most experienced workers	£41,700	100% of the going rate
Relevant PhD	The role requires a PhD relevant to the job	£37,500	90% of the going rate
STEM PhD	A relevant PhD in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics subject	£33,400	80% of the going rate
Immigration Salary List	The occupation is on the Immigration Salary List	£33,400	100% of the going rate
New entrant	Under 26, a recent graduate, or switching from a Student or Graduate visa	£33,400	70% of the going rate
Health and education roles	Eligible roles paid on national pay scales (for example NHS Agenda for Change)	From around £25,000	The relevant national pay scale

In every case the worker must be paid the higher of the cash figure and the stated percentage of the going rate. New entrant status is time limited: it can usually be relied on for a maximum of four years, including time already spent on the Graduate route.

The salary tested at the settlement stage is the figure that applies on the date of the settlement application, not the figure that applied when sponsorship began. This matters for long-term planning, because thresholds and going rates are reviewed periodically.

Which jobs qualify for sponsorship?

Only roles at degree level (RQF Level 6) or above qualify, and the occupation must appear in the eligible occupation tables in the Immigration Rules. The minimum skill level rose from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 on 22 July 2025, which removed a large number of mid-skilled roles from the route.

Some roles below degree level can still be sponsored where they sit on a defined shortage list. The Temporary Shortage List allows continued sponsorship of certain medium-skilled occupations, but, unlike the former Shortage Occupation List, it does not give a salary discount.

Two changes are worth highlighting:

Overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers closed on 22 July 2025. In-country switching for people already in the UK remains possible for a transitional period.
Many lower-paid roles in sectors such as hospitality, construction and administration are no longer eligible for new sponsorship unless they appear on the relevant shortage list.

What English language level do you need?

Most new Skilled Worker applicants must prove English language ability at CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

English can usually be proved by:

passing an approved Secure English Language Test;
holding a qualifying UK degree;
holding an overseas degree taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis;
being a national of a majority English-speaking country listed in the rules;
relying on English already accepted in a previous successful UK immigration application, where permitted.

How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?

The total cost depends on how long the visa is for, whether you apply from inside or outside the UK, and whether the role attracts a reduced fee.

Cost	Amount
Application fee — outside the UK, up to 3 years	£819
Application fee — outside the UK, over 3 years	£1,618
Application fee — inside the UK, up to 3 years	£943
Application fee — inside the UK, over 3 years	£1,865
Reduced fee — Immigration Salary List roles	£628 (up to 3 years) / £1,235 (over 3 years)
Immigration Health Surcharge	£1,035 per adult per year (£776 per child per year)
Maintenance funds	£1,270 held for 28 days
Certificate of Sponsorship	£525
Immigration Skills Charge	£1,320 per year for large sponsors; £480 per year for small sponsors and charities

The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid upfront for the whole period of the visa, so a five-year grant means five years of the surcharge in a single payment. By law, the sponsor must pay the Certificate of Sponsorship fee and the Immigration Skills Charge and cannot lawfully pass those particular costs to the worker.

What documents are needed for a Skilled Worker visa?

The exact document list depends on the applicant’s nationality, role, sponsor, immigration history and family circumstances. However, most applicants should expect to prepare core documents before starting the online application.

Common documents include:

passport or other valid travel document;
Certificate of Sponsorship reference number;
job title and annual salary;
occupation code;
sponsor name and sponsor licence number;
English language evidence;
bank statements or sponsor-certified maintenance, if required;
tuberculosis certificate, if required for the applicant’s country of residence;
criminal record certificate for certain education, healthcare, therapy and social care roles;
ATAS certificate for some research roles involving sensitive subjects;
dependant relationship evidence, if family members are applying;
certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.

A document may be technically correct but still unsuitable if it does not match the details in the CoS or application form. Consistency is important across the sponsor licence record, CoS, employment contract, job description and supporting documents.

How do you apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You apply online once you hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, then prove your identity and pay the fees. The process runs through the official Home Office service and follows these broad steps:

Receive a confirmed job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.
Check that the role meets the skill level and that the salary meets the higher of the general threshold and the going rate.
Complete the online application, entering the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number and details of the role.
Prove your English and show the required maintenance funds, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.
Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Confirm your identity, usually through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre, and provide biometric information where required.
Submit supporting documents and wait for a decision.

The earliest you can apply from outside the UK is three months before the start date shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

How long does processing take?

A decision on a Skilled Worker application usually takes around three weeks when applying from outside the UK and around eight weeks when applying from inside the UK. These are standard service times, and complex cases or requests for further information can take longer. A paid priority service may be available in some circumstances.

Why are some applications refused?

Applications are most often refused for avoidable reasons such as incomplete forms, unpaid fees, or weak supporting evidence. Common grounds for refusal include:

the application form is incomplete or contains inconsistent information;
a fee or the Immigration Health Surcharge has not been paid in full;
the salary does not meet the higher of the general threshold and the going rate;
the maintenance funds were not held for the full 28-day period;
documents do not adequately prove identity, English or eligibility;
the sponsor’s licence has been suspended, downgraded or revoked.

If an application is refused, the options are limited and time sensitive, so early advice usually gives the best chance of a workable outcome.

How long does the visa last, and can it be extended?

A Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to five years at a time, matching the period on the Certificate of Sponsorship. There is no limit on the number of times it can be extended, provided the holder continues to meet the requirements.

You can apply to extend before the visa expires while you remain with the same sponsor in the same role, or in a different role under the same arrangement where the rules allow. If you change to a substantially different job or move to a new sponsor, you generally need a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship and a new application rather than a simple extension.

Can you settle in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. Most Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years of qualifying residence, and may apply for British citizenship a year after that, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

Tier 2 (General) compared with the current Skilled Worker route

The current route differs from the old Tier 2 (General) visa in several ways. The comparison below shows the broad direction of change.

Feature	Tier 2 (General)	Skilled Worker (current)
Resident Labour Market Test	Required for many roles	No longer required
Minimum skill level	Below degree level	Degree level (RQF Level 6)
General salary threshold	£30,000 historically	£41,700 from 22 July 2025
English level	B1	B2 from 8 January 2026
Annual cap on numbers	Applied to some roles	No general cap
Cooling-off period	Applied	Removed

Why Sterling Law?

Sterling Law assists individuals and UK employers with Skilled Worker visa matters, including first applications, extensions, switching, change of employment applications, dependant applications and settlement planning.

Our work can include:

checking whether the role is eligible under the current Skilled Worker rules;
reviewing the SOC code and salary position before the CoS is assigned;
advising on English language, maintenance, TB, criminal record and ATAS evidence;
preparing or reviewing the visa application and supporting documents;
identifying issues that may lead to refusal before submission;
advising employers on sponsor licence and compliance matters;
assisting with complex cases, including previous refusals, job changes and transitional rules.

Sterling Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Clients receive legal advice from a regulated UK law firm, with clear guidance on eligibility, evidence and procedure.

If you are planning to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, change employer, sponsor an overseas worker or prepare for settlement, contact Sterling Law to discuss your case before submitting the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?

For most roles the minimum is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds apply to new entrants, relevant PhD holders, Immigration Salary List roles, and certain health and education roles.

Do I need a job offer before I apply?

Yes. You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence, and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, before you can apply.

What English level do I need?

New applicants need English at CEFR level B2, tested across reading, writing, speaking and listening, from 8 January 2026.

How much money do I need in my bank account?

You generally need to show £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days before you apply, unless your sponsor certifies that it will cover your maintenance.

Can I bring my family on a Skilled Worker visa?

In most cases, yes. Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants, and each dependant pays their own application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

Can I change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?

You can sometimes change roles with the same sponsor without a new visa, but moving to a new sponsor or a substantially different job usually requires a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship and a new application.

How long until I can settle?

Most holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years under the current rules.

Is the Skilled Worker visa the same as a UK work permit?

In practice, yes. The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s main employment-based work permit, and the United Kingdom no longer issues a separate document called a work permit.