Skilled Worker Visa UK: Requirements and How to Apply

What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is for people who have a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in 2020.

Note: UK immigration rules change frequently. This is general information — always check the latest guidance on gov.uk.

Key Requirements

• Job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
• Minimum skill level — RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent)
• Salary threshold — generally £38,700 per year (or the "going rate" for the role, whichever is higher)
• English language — B1 level or above
• Enough money to support yourself (usually shown through salary)

Sponsorship

Your employer must:

1. Hold a licensed sponsor licence
2. Issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
3. Pay the Immigration Skills Charge (if applicable)

How to Apply

1. Get a job offer from a licensed sponsor
2. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
3. Apply online on gov.uk
4. Pay the application fee
5. Provide biometric information
6. Wait for a decision (typically 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK)

Visa Duration and Extensions

• The visa is usually granted for up to 5 years
• You can extend it as long as you still meet the requirements
• After 5 years, you may be eligible for ILR

Family Members

You can bring your partner and children (under 18) as dependants on your visa. They'll need to pay separate fees.

Switching to This Visa

You may be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you're on certain other visa types (like a Student visa).

After 5 Years: Settlement

After 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for ILR. At this stage, you'll need to pass the Life in the UK Test.

For more about settlement, see our ILR guide.