Skilled Worker visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Skilled Worker visa
Stay	Up to 5 years per application
Cost	£628 to £1,865 plus healthcare surcharge
Eligibility Timing	Up to 3 months before job start
Work Rights	Eligible sponsored job, permitted supplementary work
Study	Allowed
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Multiple entries; travel abroad and return
Citizenship	Settlement possible after 5 years
Family Sponsorship	Eligible partner and children can apply
Visa Record	Electronic record / digital immigration status

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Purpose and Overview

The Skilled Worker visa allows individuals to come to or stay in the UK to work in an eligible role with a Home Office-approved sponsor. It includes permission to work in UK waters and replaces the former Tier 2 (General) work visa.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Job Offer and Sponsorship: Have a confirmed job offer and a valid electronic Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from an approved UK employer.
• Skill Level: The job must be an eligible occupation (generally "higher skilled," or "medium skilled" if on the immigration salary list, temporary shortage list, or qualifying under transitional rules).
• Minimum Salary: You must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, follow UK working hour rules, and meet the higher of the standard minimum salary or the specific "going rate" for the occupation code:
  • Standard Rate: Whichever is higher of £41,700 per year or the standard occupation going rate.
  • Healthcare and Education: At least £25,000 per year or the relevant national pay scale rate.
  • Prison Officers (Code 3314): At least the higher of £31,300 or the lower going rate (CoS issued on or before 31 December 2026 to switch, or 31 December 2027 to extend).
  • Transitional Arrangements (CoS issued before 4 April 2024): Whichever is higher of £31,300 or the lower going rate (available for applications made before 4 April 2030).
• Salary Discounts (Reductions to 70%–90% of Going Rate):
  • Under 26, students/recent graduates, or in professional training: Minimum £33,400 (or £25,000 under pre-April 2024 rules); 70% of going rate (maximum cumulative stay of 4 years, including Graduate visa time).
  • STEM PhD relevant to job: Minimum £33,400 (or £25,000 under pre-April 2024 rules); 80% of going rate.
  • Non-STEM PhD relevant to job: Minimum £37,500 (or £28,200 under pre-April 2024 rules); 90% of going rate.
  • Postdoctoral positions in science or higher education: Minimum £33,400 (or £25,000 under pre-April 2024 rules); 70% of going rate (maximum cumulative stay of 4 years).
  • Immigration Salary List: Minimum £33,400 (or £25,000 under pre-April 2024 rules) alongside the standard going rate.
• English Language: Prove English proficiency to at least CEFR Level B2 (Level B1 if extending/updating a visa held before 8 January 2026) via:
  • UK school qualification begun under age 18 (GCSE, A Level, Scottish equivalents).
  • Degree taught in English (awarded by a UK institution or verified through Ecctis).
  • Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
  • Being a national of an exempt English-speaking country.
  • Regulated professional assessment (doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, vets).

Fees and Financial Requirements

Application Fees

• Applying from outside the UK:
  • Up to 3 years: £819 per person
  • More than 3 years: £1,618 per person
• Applying from inside the UK (Extend, Switch, Update):
  • Up to 3 years: £943 per person
  • More than 3 years: £1,865 per person
• Immigration Salary List Roles (Inside or Outside UK):
  • Up to 3 years: £628 per person
  • More than 3 years: £1,235 per person

Additional Mandatory Costs

• Healthcare Surcharge: Usually £1,035 per year of stay.
• Personal Maintenance Savings: At least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (day 28 within 31 days of applying), unless:
  • You have been in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months, or
  • Your sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS (up to £1,270 for the first month).

Length of Stay and Settlement

• Initial Stay: Up to 5 years depending on the CoS length.
• Extensions: Can be extended indefinitely provided eligibility criteria continue to be met.
• Permanent Settlement: Eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years.

Rights and Conditions

Permitted Activities

• Work in the sponsored eligible job.
• Study.
• Travel abroad and re-enter the UK.
• Take on unpaid voluntary work for a registered charity, voluntary organisation, associated fundraising body, or statutory body.
• Additional Work: Work unlimited overtime in the sponsored job, or work up to 20 hours per week in a second job/business if it is an eligible higher-skilled code, on the Immigration Salary List, or in the same sector and level as the primary job.

Restricted Activities

• No access to public funds or the State Pension.
• Cannot change job or employer without applying to update the visa.
• Cannot work more than 20 hours per week in a secondary job without updating the visa to be sponsored for both roles.

Family Provisions (Dependants)

Partners and dependent children can apply to accompany or join the main applicant:

• Eligibility Restrictions: Restrictions apply to dependants of care workers, senior care workers, and medium-skilled roles unless continuous employment on a Skilled Worker visa began prior to specified cutoff dates (11 March 2024 for care workers; 22 July 2025 for medium-skilled roles) or specific child dependency exceptions apply.
• Partner Criteria: UK-recognised marriage/civil partnership or proof of a 2-year committed relationship.
• Child Criteria: Must live with parents (unless in full-time education) and not be married/in a civil partnership. UK-born children require a dependant visa for international travel.
• Dependant Maintenance Funds:
  • Partner: £285
  • First child: £315
  • Each additional child: £200
  • Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days unless the sponsor certifies maintenance or the family has lived in the UK for at least 12 months.
• Dependant Work and Study: Dependants can study and work (except as a professional sportsperson or coach).

Required Documents

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Job title, annual salary, and 4-digit occupation code.
• Employer name and sponsor licence number.
• Bank statements showing maintenance funds (if required).
• Certified translations for any non-English/non-Welsh documents.
• Role-Specific Evidence:
  • Tuberculosis test results (if applying from a listed country).
  • Criminal record certificate(s) for education, healthcare, therapy, and social services roles.
  • Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (for sensitive PhD-level research).
  • Ecctis reference number for overseas PhD qualifications.

How to Apply

1. Obtain Sponsorship: Secure a job offer and CoS from a licensed UK employer.
2. Submit Online Application: Apply online up to 3 months before the job start date.
3. Prove Identity:
   • Scan documents using the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app, or
   • Attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK).
4. Pay Fees: Submit application fees and the immigration healthcare surcharge.
5. Processing Times: Decisions usually take 3 weeks (outside the UK) or 8 weeks (inside the UK). Priority processing may be purchased if available.

Important Warnings

• In-Country Switching Exclusions: You cannot switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK if you hold a visit visa, short-term student visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, seasonal worker visa, domestic worker visa, immigration bail, or leave outside the immigration rules.
• Travel Restrictions During Application: Applicants applying to switch, extend, or update from within the UK must not travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) while their application is pending; doing so automatically withdraws the application.
• Changing Employment: Do not commence work in a new job or with a new sponsor until the updated visa application has been officially approved.