Skilled Worker Visa UK – Everything You Need to Know
The Skilled Worker visa allows foreign professionals to work in the UK for an approved employer. It has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa and applies to a wide range of occupations, including healthcare, engineering, IT, and more. If you have a confirmed job offer from a UK sponsor, this visa provides a pathway to long-term employment and settlement in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify, you must:
✅ Have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office
✅ Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
✅ Work in an eligible occupation
✅ Meet the minimum salary requirements
✅ Prove your English language proficiency
Your employer must be on the list of approved UK sponsors before they can issue your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Minimum Salary Requirement
To qualify, your salary must be at least:
💷 £38,700 per year or
💷 The going rate for your job role (whichever is higher)
If you’re extending your visa or updating it due to a job change, your salary may be lower under certain conditions.
🔎 Check if your job is eligible here: GOV.UK Eligible Occupations
How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
1. Determine Your Application Type
You must apply online based on your situation:
🔹 Applying from outside the UK – First-time applicants moving to the UK
🔹 Extending your visa – If you are already in the UK and want to continue working
🔹 Switching from another visa – If you’re changing from a different UK visa type
🔹 Updating your visa – If you change jobs or employers
Your partner and children can apply to join you as dependants if they meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Required Documents
When applying, you need to provide:
📌 Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
📌 Proof of English language proficiency
📌 Valid passport or another identity document
📌 Job title, annual salary, and occupation code
📌 Employer’s name and sponsor licence number (found on your CoS)
If your employer has not given you a CoS, request it before applying.
3. Proving Your Identity
As part of your application, you must verify your identity by either:
📲 Using the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your passport, or
📍 Attending a visa application centre for fingerprint and photo submission
Processing times vary, so allow extra time if you need an appointment.
Skilled Worker Visa Fees & Costs
💰 Application Fee:
- £719 – £1,639, depending on your situation
💰 Healthcare Surcharge:
- £1,035 per year (unless your job is in the immigration salary list)
💰 Financial Requirement:
- You must show £1,270 in savings to support yourself unless:
- You’ve been in the UK for 12 months with a valid visa
- Your UK employer covers your costs (stated on your CoS)
Your partner and children must also meet financial requirements.
What You Can and Cannot Do with This Visa
✅ You Can:
✔ Work in your sponsored job role
✔ Take on additional work (up to 20 hours per week)
✔ Start your own business (if within Skilled Worker occupation list)
✔ Do voluntary work
✔ Bring your partner and children as dependants
✔ Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
❌ You Cannot:
✖ Claim public benefits or the State Pension
✖ Change jobs or employers without updating your visa
Taking on Additional Work
You can work overtime in your sponsored role without updating your visa. However, you may also:
🔹 Work up to 20 additional hours per week in another job
🔹 Start your own business, provided it is in an eligible occupation
If You Work More Than 20 Hours a Week in a Second Job
You must apply to update your visa by:
📌 Obtaining a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your second employer
📌 Including a letter explaining your request for a visa update
Bringing Your Family to the UK
Your partner and children can apply to stay in the UK as dependants. If successful, their visas will match your visa expiry date.
Eligible Dependants:
👨👩👧 Your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
👶 Your child under 18 (including those born in the UK)
🧑 Your child over 18, if they are already in the UK as your dependant
You must provide proof of your relationship when applying.
Settlement in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
After 5 years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing you to:
✔ Stay in the UK permanently
✔ Work without visa restrictions
✔ Access public benefits (if eligible)
✔ Apply for British citizenship (after meeting requirements)
The Skilled Worker visa is a fantastic opportunity for skilled professionals to build a career in the UK. If you have a job offer from a UK sponsor and meet the eligibility criteria, this visa can provide a long-term pathway to settlement.
📅 Processing Time: 3 weeks (outside UK) | 8 weeks (inside UK)
💷 Costs: £719–£1,639 + £1,035 healthcare surcharge per year
📝 Key Requirement: Job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer
Read This: How to Apply for a UK Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Source / Ref.: Gov.uk Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.
