Skilled Worker Visa UK

If you are looking to work in the United Kingdom, the Skilled Worker Visa UK is one of the most important immigration routes available today. It allows qualified professionals from around the world to live and work in the UK legally for an approved employer.

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer, a valid CoS, and a salary of at least £41,700. You must then complete the online application, pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge, and attend a biometrics appointment.

At Wembley Solicitors, we regularly assist applicants, employers, and families with Skilled Worker visa applications, extensions, switching, and settlement (ILR). This guide explains everything you need to know in clear, practical terms based on current UK immigration rules.

For Skilled Worker visa help, contact Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 for expert advice and application support.

Table of Contents

What is the Skilled Worker Visa UK?

The Skilled Worker Visa is a UK work visa that allows overseas nationals to work for an approved UK employer in an eligible skilled job.

It replaced the Tier 2 (General) Work Visa in December 2020 and remains the main immigration route for skilled workers entering the UK.

In simple terms, a Skilled Worker Visa lets you live and work in the UK if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor.

Key Features:

• Work legally in the UK for an approved employer
• Stay up to 5 years (renewable)
• Bring dependants (partner and children)
• Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Expert Insight: In our experience handling hundreds of applications, most refusals occur due to incorrect salary classification or missing sponsorship details.

Skilled Worker Visa Applications We Handle

Our immigration solicitors assist with all types of UK Skilled Worker visa applications, including new applications, extensions, switching routes, employer changes, and refusal challenges. We provide full legal support from eligibility assessment to Home Office submission.

We help with Skilled Worker visa applications, including:

• UK Skilled Worker visa extension
• Update your Skilled Worker visa if you change your job or employer
• Switch to a Skilled Worker visa
• Switching from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa
• Switching from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa
• Skilled Worker Dependant Visa UK
• ILR as a Skilled Worker visa
• UK Skilled Worker visa refusal

Who is Eligible for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

You are eligible for a UK Skilled Worker visa if you have a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer, your job is on the list of eligible skilled occupations, and you meet the salary, English language, and sponsorship requirements.

In most cases, eligibility depends on having a licensed sponsor, an eligible skilled job, and meeting salary thresholds.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements (Full Checklist 2026)

The UK Skilled Worker visa requires a licensed sponsor job offer, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, an eligible skilled occupation, a minimum salary (usually £41,700 or going rate), English language ability, financial proof, and compliance with UK immigration and employment rules.

Below is the complete list of UK Skilled Worker visa requirements:

• You must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer (licensed sponsor)
• Your employer must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Your CoS must include your job title, salary, and SOC 2020 code
• Your job must be on the eligible Skilled Worker occupation list
• Your job must be at RQF Level 6 or above (degree level).
• Your job duties must match the SOC code description
• You must be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate (whichever is higher)
• Your salary must be guaranteed gross pay (not bonuses or variable pay)
• You must meet the English language requirement (B1 CEFR or higher)
• You must prove English via an approved test, degree, or exemption
• You must show £1,270 maintenance funds (unless exempt)
• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days before applying
• Your employer may certify maintenance to waive this requirement
• You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• You must hold a valid passport or travel document
• You must apply within 3 months of receiving your CoS
• Your job must be a genuine role under UK immigration rules
• Your employer must comply with UK employment law (salary, hours, conditions)
• Your job must not be in an excluded or ineligible occupation
• You may bring dependants (partner and children under 18, if eligible)
• Dependants must meet their own eligibility and financial requirements
• You must attend a biometric appointment for identity verification
• You must comply with all visa conditions after approval

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship Requirement

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer (licensed sponsor). Your employer must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming your job, salary, and occupation code.

The Skilled Worker visa sponsorship requirement means you must:

• Have a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor
• Receive a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Work in an eligible skilled occupation
• Be employed under approved UK immigration rules

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital record issued by your UK employer that confirms your job details for a Skilled Worker visa application.

It must:

• Be issued by a licensed UK employer
• Include your job title, salary, and SOC code
• Confirm your role is genuine and eligible
• Be used within 3 months of issuance

Without a valid CoS, you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

Eligible Job Requirement (SOC Code)

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, your job must be classified under an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code that meets UK visa rules.

Your job must:

• Be listed under an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code
• Meet the required skill level (RQF Level 3 or above)
• Match the actual duties described in the SOC code
• Not fall under excluded or ineligible roles, even if the job title looks similar

Eligibility is based on job duties, not just the job title.

Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you are usually required to be paid at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for your job (SOC code), whichever is higher.

Some applicants may qualify for lower salary thresholds in specific cases, such as:

• Healthcare and education roles (based on national pay scales)
• Prison officer roles (subject to specific lower thresholds and deadlines)
• Limited exceptional cases where a reduced minimum salary (around £33,400) applies

In all cases, you must still meet the relevant occupation "going rate" and all other visa requirements.

Financial Requirement (Maintenance Funds)

To meet the Skilled Worker visa financial requirement, you usually must show you can support yourself in the UK.

You must:

• Have at least £1,270 in your bank account
• Hold the funds for at least 28 consecutive days before applying
• Provide bank evidence unless your employer certifies maintenance

This requirement may be waived if your UK sponsor confirms they will support you financially.

English Requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa

To meet the Skilled Worker visa English requirement, you must prove English ability at B2 level through a qualification, a degree taught in English, or an approved English test, unless you are exempt.

To meet the Skilled Worker visa English requirement, you must prove you can read, write, speak, and understand English.

You can prove it by:

• Having a UK school qualification (GCSE, A Level, or equivalent in English)
• Having a UK degree taught in English
• Having a non-UK degree taught in English (with Ecctis confirmation if required)
• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider

You usually need B2 level English, but B1 may apply for extensions or certain visa situations.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Points System (70 Points Requirement)

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must score a minimum of 70 points under the UK points-based immigration system. Points are awarded for having a job offer, meeting skill level requirements, English language ability, and salary or other tradeable factors.

Mandatory Requirements (50 Points Total)

• Job offer from an approved UK sponsor → 20 points
• Job at appropriate skill level → 20 points
• English language at required level → 10 points

Tradeable Points (Up to 20 Points)

• Salary £20,480-£23,039 OR 80% of going rate → 0 points
• Salary £23,040-£25,599 OR 90% of going rate → 10 points
• Salary £25,600+ OR full going rate → 20 points

Additional Tradeable Options

• Job in a shortage occupation (MAC list) → 20 points
• PhD in a relevant subject → 10 points
• PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job → 20 points

Key Rule

You must score 70 points in total, combining mandatory requirements and tradeable factors such as salary level, occupation shortage status, or academic qualifications.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Documents Checklist 2026

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must provide key documents, including a valid passport, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), proof of English language ability, job details, and financial evidence (if required). The exact documents depend on your job, salary, and personal circumstances.

You will typically need these documents:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Job offer from a licensed UK employer
• Job title, salary, and SOC code
• Employer name and sponsor licence number
• Proof of English language ability
• Proof of maintenance funds (if required)
• TB test results (if applicable)
• Previous employer references (if requested)
• Proof of relationship for dependants (if applicable)
• Any additional supporting documents based on your case

How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa?

To apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship, complete the online application, pay the fees, submit documents, and attend a biometric appointment.

Step-by-Step Skilled Worker Visa Application Process

• Step 1: Get a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor
• Step 2: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
• Step 3: Complete the online Skilled Worker visa application
• Step 4: Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• Step 5: Upload your supporting documents
• Step 6: Attend your biometric appointment
• Step 7: Wait for a decision from UKVI
• Step 8: Receive your visa outcome and travel to the UK (if approved)

Skilled Worker visa UK processing time (2026)

Standard UK Skilled Worker visa processing time is usually 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and up to 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK.

These timelines start only after you have completed biometrics and identity verification.

How Much Does a Skilled Worker Visa Cost?

A UK Skilled Worker visa typically costs between £819 and £1,865 in application fees, plus £1,035 per year for the Healthcare Surcharge, and £1,270 in maintenance funds unless exempt.

Quick Example

If you apply for a 2-year visa:

• Application fee: £819
• IHS: £2,070 (£1,035 × 2 years)
• Total upfront cost: £2,889 (plus £1,270 if maintenance applies)

Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors in London (Why Legal Help Matters)

Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa is not just paperwork; it is a legal compliance process.

Our immigration solicitors provide:

• Full eligibility assessment
• Sponsor licence and CoS review
• Document checking and preparation
• Application drafting and submission support
• Legal representation and refusal support

We regularly assist applicants and employers across the UK with complex Skilled Worker visa cases, including refusals, urgent applications, and sponsor compliance issues.

Why Clients Trust Our Immigration Solicitors

Our immigration team provides expert support for UK Skilled Worker visa applications, offering tailored legal advice, document checking, and full application assistance to improve approval chances and reduce refusal risk.

You should choose our immigration team because we offer:

• Expert UK immigration law knowledge
• Full Skilled Worker visa application support
• Detailed eligibility and document checks
• Sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship review
• Refusal risk reduction and legal representation

Speak to a Skilled Worker Visa Solicitor Today

If you are planning to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, our immigration solicitors can review your job offer, salary, and Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply to help reduce refusal risk and delays.

If you need help with a Skilled Worker visa application, contact Wembley Solicitors on 020 3417 3700 for expert advice, eligibility assessment, and full application support.

FAQs about the UK Skilled Worker Visa