Skilled Worker Visa

What is the Skilled Worker visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is the main sponsored work route under Appendix Skilled Worker. If granted, it may allow you to work for your licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation, subject to the conditions on your permission. It replaced Tier 2 (General) and remains the backbone of employer-sponsored migration.

Who may qualify

You may qualify if you have a valid job offer, your employer holds a skilled worker sponsor licence and assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), the role meets skill and salary rules, and you meet English and maintenance requirements. Each application is assessed on its own facts.

Path to settlement

After five years in eligible skilled work (with absences within permitted limits), you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Salary, sponsor compliance, and continuous residence all matter — we advise on timing before you apply.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Your sponsor must assign a CoS with accurate job title, SOC code, salary, and start date. Defined CoS is usually required for applicants outside the UK; undefined CoS may apply for in-country switchers. Errors on the CoS are a common cause of refusal.

Salary and skill level

The role must usually be at RQF level 3 or above and meet the general salary threshold or occupation going rate (whichever is higher), unless a listed exception applies. Thresholds are set in the Rules and may change — as of 2026, figures such as £38,700 are widely discussed; we confirm what applies to your SOC code.

English, maintenance, and occupation-specific checks

You usually need B1 English unless exempt. Maintenance (£1,270 for 28 days) may be required unless your sponsor certifies maintenance. Some occupations require criminal record certificates or professional registration.

How to apply

Apply online on GOV.UK, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (where applicable), upload evidence, and attend biometrics. Your sponsor must have assigned a valid CoS before you apply. We check CoS details, SOC codes, and salary against the Rules before submission.

Costs & processing time

Visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge depend on visa length and where you apply. Priority services may be available for an extra fee. Amounts change — as of 2026 we confirm the total payable before you apply. Standard processing is often around three weeks but varies by country.

Common reasons applications are refused

• CoS details that do not match the job offer or fail salary or skill tests

• English language evidence missing or below the required level

• Maintenance funds not held for 28 days or not in the required format

• Previous immigration breaches or undeclared refusals

• Occupation-specific documents (e.g. criminal record certificate) not provided

Related guidance: Senior / Specialist Worker, Health & Care Worker Visa, Scale-Up Worker Visa, and Settlement & ILR.