The skilled worker visa of the UK is the backbone of its reformed immigration rules. The visa route is the successor to the Tier 2 (General) work visa and is designed to facilitate eligible employment opportunities with authorized UK employers, including work in UK waters. A foreigner needs a recognized degree, and a qualified job offer from the UK to get this visa.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet several criteria such as:
- Approval by a UK employer authorized by the Home Office.
- Possession of a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (CoS) specifying the offered role in the UK.
- Employment in an occupation listed on the eligible occupations roster.
- Adherence to minimum salary requirements, which vary by occupation type and CoS issue date.
- Confirmation of a job offer before initiating the visa application process.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English, which is assessed during the application phase.
- A comparability report from ENIC for your qualification.
Change into Occupations list
The UK has also changed the eligible occupations list. The codes of the occupations have also been changed. You can check your occupation code here. The shortage occupations list has also been abolished and a new immigration salary list has been introduced.
According to the new laws implemented on 4 April 2024, the salary threshold has been changed from £26,200 to £38,700. This means:
- If you apply for the skilled worker visa, you need to show that you have been offered a £38,700 annual salary or the ongoing rate of your occupation,
- If your occupation exists in the “immigration salary list”, you can be paid less salary that is £30,960 or their occupation-specific threshold, whichever is higher,
- If you apply under the “Health and Care Worker Visa” stream, you can still be paid £23,200 annually and still be eligible for the visa.
Visa Duration and Settlement
The Skilled Worker visa allows for a stay of up to 5 years, with the possibility of extension based on continued eligibility. After residing in the UK for 5 years, individuals may apply for settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’), granting them long-term residency and associated rights. In most cases, employers offer CoS for 3 or 5 years, which also determines the total duration of the visa.
Application Process
Applying for a Skilled Worker visa involves an online submission process. Different application pathways exist depending on the applicant’s location and visa type. Additionally, provisions are made for job or employer changes within the visa framework. You also have to pay the visa fees online.
The application process demands you make sure many aspects that should not be undermined and these are:
a) Checking job eligibility
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, the job must meet specific criteria:
- Alignment with visa eligibility criteria,
- Employment by a Home Office-approved UK employer (you must check if your employer’s company exists in the register of the sponsor website,
- Compliance with minimum salary requirements, ensuring adherence to UK wage regulations,
- Determination of job eligibility requires knowledge of the 4-digit occupation code (this is available on the website of the UK occupations list).
b) Minimum salary requirements
Minimum salary requirements are based on either ‘standard’ rates or ‘going rates’, with exceptions for certain healthcare and education roles. You must be paid:
- £38,700 per year,
- the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing
Please note if you are paid £38,700 per annum and your job has an ongoing rate higher than this, then you will not be eligible for the visa. Employers are responsible for ensuring compliance with UK wage regulations. You can check here the ongoing salary rates for the eligible occupations.
c) Choosing an approved UK employer
Approved UK employers, acting as sponsors, play a crucial role in the visa application process. They provide applicants with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship'(CoS), a key document required for visa application within a specified timeframe.
d) If your salary is less than the required rate
You might still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than the standard salary requirement of £38,700 or your job’s standard ‘going rate’. Here are some scenarios where you may qualify for a visa:
| Job on the Immigration Salary List | Under 26, Studying, or Recent Graduate | Possess a Relevant PhD Level Qualification | Postdoctoral Position in Science or Higher Education |
| Certain skilled jobs have lower salary requirements listed on the Immigration Salary List, which allows for reduced pay. You must be paid at least £30,960 per year if sponsored for a job on this list. | If you are under 26, currently studying, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary is at least £30,960 per year. | Depending on your qualification, you may be eligible for a PhD salary discount. You can be paid 80% of your job’s standard going rate if you have a STEM qualification. For non-STEM qualifications, you can be paid 90% of the standard rate. | If you have a postdoctoral position in certain science or higher education roles, you can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate. |
If you work in healthcare or education
Different salary rules apply if you work in certain healthcare or education jobs. Your salary must meet specific requirements, typically at least £23,200, or higher if your job’s ‘going rate’ is above this threshold. The going rates for these jobs are based on national pay scales, such as those set by the NHS for healthcare roles. Your salary must meet or exceed the specified national pay scale rate for your job.
Knowledge of English
Proving your knowledge of the English language is usually required for visa applications unless previously demonstrated in a successful visa application. You must prove your English proficiency to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale.
| Ways to Prove English Proficiency | Exemptions |
| This can be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT), having specific academic qualifications in English, or having a degree-level qualification taught in English. Your qualification will be verified by UK authorities. You will be required to apply for confirmation through UK NARIC that your education is similar to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s, or Ph.D. You can visit the website of the authorized website here to apply for the English proficiency report here. | *Nationals of certain countries or territories, and those in specific professions like doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, or vets, may be exempt from proving their English proficiency. |
*People from the following countries do not need to show their knowledge of English:
- USA
- Australia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Belize
- Barbados
- Bahamas
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Malta
- Jamaica
- New Zeeland
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
How much does the skilled worker visa cost?
When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have enough funds to cover various costs:
a) Visa application fee
The standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on circumstances, with lower fees for jobs on the immigration salary list.
| Situation | Visa fee |
| up to 3 years (apply from outside the UK) | £719 per person |
| more than 3 years (apply from outside the UK) | £1,420 per person |
| up to 3 years (apply from outside the UK) | £551 |
| more than 3 years (apply from outside the UK) | £1,084 |
| up to 3 years (apply from inside the UK) | £827 per person |
| more than 3 years (apply from inside the UK) | £1,636 per person |
b) IHS costs
Typically £1,035 per year for each year of your stay. If you apply for a 3-year visa, you will have to pay it for 3 years in advance, and the same is true for the 5-year duration. The dependants will also have to pay this fee for each year. Special exemptions are for those who apply as Health worker and their dependants and they do not have to pay the Health surcharge.
c) Documents recognition fee
- If you apply for the comparability of the qualification report, it could cost you an extra £49,
- Applying for the English language proficiency report from the UK Nationality and visa services costs £149,
- Depending on your location, you will have to also pay £200 to £272 for the English language test for UKVI,
d) Extra documents cost
Depending on your nationality and where you live, you may have to bear the following expenses as well:
- you may also need to present the TB test report, which costs extra as well,
- for some applicants, paying for the English translation and Police clearance certificate also costs extra.
Visa Application Documents
To apply for a skilled worker visa in the UK, the essential documents include:
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number,
- Proof of English proficiency such as IELTS for UKVI or English proficiency report,
- A comparability report from ENIC for your qualification,
- Valid passport or identity document,
- Job details, including title, salary, and occupation code,
- Employer information, including sponsor license number,
- For citizens of some countries, it is also mandatory to present a Police clearance certificate and a TB test,
- Proof of maintenance funds in the form of a bank statement (or mentioned in CoS that your employer will bear these).
Additional documents may be required based on individual circumstances (depending also on your nationality), such as proof of financial capability, relationship evidence for dependents, tuberculosis test results, criminal record certificates, or ATAS certificates for certain roles.
Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate you have at least £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK, unless exempt. If your employer mentions in the CoS that they can provide maintenance, you are exempt from showing the support funds. You will need to show the money in your bank account. It can also be in your country’s currency. The amount must be kept in the bank account for the last 28 consecutive days.
Apply from outside the UK
If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK, you’ll need to complete an online application. Here’s what you need to know:
a) Proving Identity
You will be required to provide identification as part of this application. The method depends on your nationality and passport type. You may need to visit a visa application center for fingerprinting and a photograph or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your identity document.
b) Appointment Requirements
If an appointment is necessary, be prepared for the center to retain your passport and documents during processing. You may also need to travel to a visa application center, which could be in another country.
c) Decision Time
Typically, you’ll receive a decision within 3 weeks of applying online. However, some circumstances may lead to longer processing times, such as document verification or personal circumstances like a criminal conviction. You can pay an extra fee of up to £500 and the visa decision will be typically made in a couple of days.
Skilled Work Visa Extension
The skilled worker visa is extendable. If you’re seeking to extend your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) work visa, ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Maintain the same job, employer, and occupation code,
- Refrain from traveling outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is reached.
Partners and children must apply separately before their visas expire, with potential restrictions for care workers and senior care workers.
Salary requirements may vary based on the CoS issuance date, and different eligibility criteria may apply when switching from Tier 2 to a Skilled Worker visa.
Apply online before your current visa expires, and expect a decision within 8 weeks, with expedited processing available for an additional fee.
Updating Your Visa for Job Changes
For job changes or employer switches under the Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa, consider the following:
- Apply to update your visa as necessary,
- A new visa application is required for a second job exceeding 20 paid hours a week.
Visa fees and healthcare surcharges apply, and you must provide proof of identity and necessary documents based on nationality.
Apply up to 3 months before the new job’s start date, and decisions typically arrive within 8 weeks, with options for expedited processing. If you have stayed less than a year before applying for the visa in the UK, you will have to show the required maintenance of at least £1,270 in your personal bank account.
Additional Work Arrangements
Considering additional work alongside your sponsored job? Here’s what you need to know:
- Overtime in the sponsored job doesn’t require a visa update, and up to 20 hours per week in another eligible job or for your business is allowed.
- Exceeding 20 hours per week in another job requires a visa update, including obtaining a new certificate of sponsorship and providing a letter explaining the change.
Switching to This Visa Type
Switching to a Skilled Worker visa from another type in the UK is possible under certain conditions:
- Ensure your current job meets visa eligibility requirements.
- Proficiency in English and meeting specific requirements if switching from a Student visa are necessary.
Certain visa types, like visit visas or short-term student visas, are ineligible for switching, and leaving the UK might be necessary for those in ineligible categories.
Apply online before the current visa expires, provide biometric information, and expect a decision within 8 weeks, with options for expedited processing.
Partner and children (family or dependant visa)
Your partner and children can join you in the UK as your dependents if they’re eligible. If you are applying for a Health worker visa, you can not sponsor your family members from 12 March 2024. Here are some key points for the family member or dependant visa:
a) Eligible Dependents
This includes your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay. Children over 18 may be eligible if currently in the UK as their dependents.
b) Evidence of Relationship
When applying, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship with your dependents. This is a marriage registration certificate and other continuous relation proofs.
c) Financial Requirements
Your partner and children must have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. The required amount varies based on the number of dependants.
Your partner or child – will need:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
The money should be kept for 28 consecutive days in your personal, bank account.
If the employer of your spouse determines in the CoS that the maintenance will be borne by them, in this case, you do not need to show proof of this money in your personal bank account.
d) Application Process
Each family member must complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They can apply online from outside the UK and will need your application number for reference.
e) Proving Identity
Similar to the main applicant, dependants will need to prove their identity, either at a visa application center or using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
f) Decision Time
Once applied, decisions usually arrive within 3 weeks. Processing more quickly might be possible for a price. An extra fee can be paid to get the decision faster.
g) Switching or Extending Visa
Dependents already in the UK may apply to extend or switch their visa to match the main applicant’s status.
h) Restrictions
Certain visa categories, like those for seasonal workers or domestic workers, may not allow dependants to apply. Check eligibility carefully.
i) Children Born in the UK
Children born in the UK to visa holders do not automatically become British citizens. Separate applications are required for their dependant visas.