Skilled Worker

If you are going to be employed by a UK-based company, you must apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. As part of your visa application, the role’s qualifications, your professional background, the proposed salary, and the duration of your intended stay will be formally evaluated. Upon completing five years of residence in the UK under a Skilled Worker Visa, you may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This visa route permits you to enter and reside in the UK to undertake a specific role with an employer that holds a sponsorship licence granted by the UK Home Office to hire migrant workers.

This visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) Work Visa following the Brexit process as of 31 December 2020. According to the information provided on the official website of the UK government, the standard processing time for this visa is approximately 3 weeks for applications made from outside the United Kingdom, and around 8 weeks for those submitted from within the country.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements:

Certificate of Sponsorship Provided by the Employer:

To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa in the United Kingdom, your prospective employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is an electronic document confirming that they are a Home Office-approved sponsor offering you a genuine and eligible job. This certificate contains a unique reference number that must be entered during your visa application process.

Only organisations licensed by the UK Home Office are authorised to issue CoS. If your prospective employer does not yet hold a sponsorship licence, Visavis Immigration can provide comprehensive support in obtaining one. For detailed guidance, please refer to our Sponsorship Licensing Services page.

Your Occupation Must Be on the List of Eligible Occupations:

When preparing the Certificate of Sponsorship, your employer must select the appropriate occupation code that either matches your job title or most closely reflects your responsibilities. The CoS is then issued using this code and approved for use in your visa application.
When assessing your application, the Home Office will evaluate:

Whether your role is included on the official List of Eligible Occupations, and
Whether you possess the skills, experience, and qualifications necessary to perform the role as described.

You can access the full list of eligible occupation codes here.

English Language Requirement:

You must demonstrate your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at a minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. While exemptions may apply in certain circumstances, proof of English language proficiency is a fundamental requirement.

Approved test centres and the accepted test formats may vary. For advice on recognised exam providers and the minimum required scores, we encourage you to consult with our advisors.

Salary Threshold:

Each eligible occupation has a corresponding minimum salary level set by the Home Office. In most cases, your proposed salary must not fall below this threshold. However, if the salary threshold for your occupation is less than £38,700 gross annually, then your salary must meet or exceed £38,700 to be eligible.

Exceptions apply in the following cases, where reduced thresholds may be accepted:

• You are under the age of 26 or You are a recent graduate or undergoing professional training,
• You hold a PhD-level qualification relevant to a role in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), or
• You are applying for a postdoctoral position in academia or research.

In such cases, you may be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard salary requirement, provided your annual salary is not less than £30,960 under any condition.

Additionally, if you received a Certificate of Sponsorship before 4 April 2024 under a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker route, and you have previously held one or more Skilled Worker visas, your salary requirements for extension or variation applications may differ. In such instances, it is generally sufficient for your salary to meet the minimum salary applicable to your specific occupation code, provided it is no less than £29,000 per year.

For tailored guidance regarding Skilled Worker visa extensions, please contact us directly.

Visa Duration and Entitlements:

Length of Stay & Extension:

Your stay in the UK under a Skilled Worker Visa may range from 1 to 5 years. You may apply for an extension before your visa expires, provided that all the following conditions are met:

• You are still employed in the same job declared in your initial visa application,
• You remain within the occupation code stated in your initial sponsorship,
• You are still working for the same employer who issued your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Supplementary Employment:

Under the Skilled Worker Visa, you are allowed to take on additional employment; however, specific conditions apply. You may work in a second job for up to 20 hours per week without the need to update your visa, provided that this additional work does not overlap with the working hours of your primary job. The second job must fall under either the same occupation code as your main role or be listed under an eligible occupation code. However, if you intend to work more than 20 hours per week in your additional job, you must obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your secondary employer and submit a visa update application. For detailed guidance on visa update procedures, please contact us.

Your Family Can Live with You in the UK:

Your spouse, unmarried partner (including same-sex partners), and children under the age of 18 may apply as dependants to join you in the UK for the duration of your Skilled Worker Visa.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):

One of the key entitlements of the Skilled Worker Visa is the right to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing 5 years of continuous employment in the UK under this visa category.
For eligibility requirements and detailed information, please contact us.

Application Cost

The application fees for the Skilled Worker Visa vary depending on where the application is submitted and the length of the visa being requested.

If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, the visa fees are as follows:

• £769 for a visa of up to 3 years,
• £1,519 for a Skilled Worker Visa valid for more than 3 years.

If you are applying from within the United Kingdom to extend, switch, or update your visa:

• £885 for applications up to 3 years,
• £1,751 for applications exceeding 3 years.

In addition to the visa application fee, you must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This fee is £1,035 per year of stay. For example, if you are applying for a 3-year visa, the total IHS payment would be:
£1,035 x 3 = £3,105. Completion of this payment is mandatory for submitting your visa application.

To demonstrate that you can support yourself financially in the UK, you must show a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account. If you have not been living in the UK for the past 12 months with valid leave, or if your employer is not covering at least £1,270 of your expenses during your first month in the UK, you may be required to explain the source of these funds during the application process.

If your family members are included in the application as dependants, in addition to the required £1,270 for yourself, you must also show: £285 for your spouse or partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child in your bank account.

10 Common Questions About the Skilled Worker Visa

For tailored guidance regarding Skilled Worker visa process, please contact us directly.