Getting a job in the UK can be a major step in your career. But securing the job is only one part of the process if you are an overseas worker.
You also need to make sure that the job qualifies for sponsorship, your employer is authorised to sponsor workers, your salary meets the applicable immigration rules, you satisfy the English language requirement and your documents support the information in your application.
This is where the Skilled Worker Visa UK route becomes important.
The Skilled Worker visa allows eligible overseas workers to come to the UK, or eligible people already in the UK to remain here, where they have a qualifying job with an approved UK sponsor. It can also provide a route towards settlement for people who continue to meet the relevant requirements.
However, having a job offer does not automatically mean that you qualify.
The occupation code matters. The actual duties matter. The salary matters. The Certificate of Sponsorship matters. Your immigration history can matter too.
This guide explains the Skilled Worker Visa UK eligibility requirements, salary rules, English language requirement, costs, documents, application process, dependants, work conditions and potential route to settlement.
Important: UK immigration rules can change. The figures and rules in this guide reflect official information available at the time of writing in September 2026. Applicants should check the Immigration Rules and GOV.UK immediately before applying.
What Is the Skilled Worker Visa UK?
The Skilled Worker visa is a UK immigration route for overseas workers who have been offered an eligible job by an employer that is authorised by the Home Office to sponsor workers.
The employer normally needs to assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you submit your visa application. The CoS is an electronic record rather than a paper certificate, and it contains information about your sponsored employment. You use its reference number when completing your visa application.
The route can be used by people applying from outside the UK and, where the Immigration Rules allow, by people already in the UK who want to extend, update or switch their immigration permission.
A successful Skilled Worker visa holder can generally:
- Work in the sponsored job
- Study in the UK
- Undertake certain additional work
- Carry out permitted voluntary work
- Travel outside the UK and return
- Bring eligible partners and children as dependants
- Extend their visa if they continue to meet the requirements
- Potentially apply for indefinite leave to remain after the required qualifying period
The visa can last for up to five years at a time, depending on the sponsorship and application. You can apply to extend it if you continue to qualify.
For many applicants, the longer-term attraction is not simply obtaining permission to work in Britain. The Skilled Worker route can form part of a longer immigration plan that eventually leads to settlement.
But settlement is not automatic. It has its own requirements.
Who Can Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa?
A successful application normally depends on several requirements being satisfied together.
You will generally need:
- A job offer from an approved UK sponsor
- An eligible occupation
- A valid Certificate of Sponsorship
- The required salary
- The required level of English
- The required financial evidence, unless exempt
- A valid passport or other acceptable identity document
- Any additional documents required because of your circumstances
The important point is that these requirements are connected.
For example, an employer may be a licensed sponsor, but that does not automatically make every job within the business eligible.
Similarly, you may have a highly skilled job, but if the occupation code is not eligible under the applicable rules, the job may not qualify.
And even if the occupation is eligible, the salary may still be too low.
That is why a Skilled Worker application should be assessed as a complete case rather than based on the job title alone.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Employer Is an Approved Sponsor
Your employer must normally be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor workers.
Employers that hold the appropriate sponsor licence are known as sponsors.
Before accepting a sponsored position, it is sensible to check whether the employer appears on the official register of licensed sponsors and whether the organisation is authorised for the relevant type of sponsorship.
If the employer is not currently licensed, it may need to apply for a sponsor licence before it can sponsor an overseas worker.
The Home Office states that an employer must be an approved UK employer before you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa.
This is an important distinction:
Job offer + ordinary employer ≠ automatically eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
The employer needs the appropriate sponsorship permission.
Step 2: Check the Occupation Code
One of the most important parts of a Skilled Worker application is the occupation code.
The Home Office uses SOC 2020 occupation codes to determine whether a job is eligible and which salary rules apply.
This means the job title by itself is not enough.
Imagine that an employer offers you a position called:
Senior Business Consultant
That title could cover very different duties depending on the business.
The Home Office will look at the actual work you are expected to perform and whether those duties correspond with the occupation code selected by the sponsor.
Your:
- Job title
- Duties
- Occupation code
- Salary
- Working hours
- Sponsorship details
should therefore make sense together.
The official occupation tables provide the eligible occupation codes and applicable going rates. The going rates are generally based on a 37.5-hour working week and are adjusted for different working patterns.
Why the occupation code matters
Choosing the wrong occupation code can create a problem even when the employer is a genuine licensed sponsor.
For example:
Job title: Marketing Manager
Actual duties: Primarily software development
Occupation code: Technology-related occupation
There may be an obvious mismatch.
The sponsor should select the code that accurately reflects the work rather than choosing a code simply because it appears to make the salary requirement easier to satisfy.
This is why applicants should understand the occupation code before relying on a job offer.
Are Medium-Skilled Jobs Eligible?
The rules changed significantly in July 2025.
Not every occupation classified at a medium skill level automatically qualifies for a new Skilled Worker application.
Under the current rules, certain medium-skilled occupations can qualify in particular circumstances, including where the occupation is included on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, as well as certain transitional situations.
This is particularly important for applicants who find older articles online saying that a particular occupation is eligible.
The fact that a job appeared on an older list does not necessarily mean that a new applicant can use the same route today.
Always check the current occupation tables and applicable Immigration Rules before applying.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Salary Requirements
Salary is one of the biggest areas where applicants can make mistakes.
Under the standard rules, you will generally need to earn at least:
£41,700 per year
or the applicable going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.
This means that simply earning more than £41,700 does not necessarily solve the problem.
Example
Suppose:
- Your salary is £42,000
- The going rate for your occupation is £46,000
Your salary is above £41,700.
But it is below the going rate.
Therefore, the standard salary requirement would not normally be met.
The calculation is not simply:
Salary > £41,700 = visa eligible
Instead, you need to consider the relevant salary rules for your particular occupation and circumstances.
Are There Salary Discounts?
Yes.
The Immigration Rules contain different salary options for certain applicants.
Depending on the circumstances, different salary provisions can apply to:
- Jobs on the Immigration Salary List
- Certain new entrants
- Applicants with qualifying PhDs
- Certain applicants with relevant transitional protection
- Some healthcare and education roles
- Other circumstances specifically covered by the Immigration Rules
For example, the official Immigration Salary List provides occupations where a lower salary threshold can apply. The list is occupation- and location-specific.
This is why applicants should not assume that £41,700 is either:
the minimum salary for everyone, or
the only salary figure they need to check.
The correct approach is to identify:
Occupation code → Going rate → Applicable salary option → Required salary
That sequence can prevent a costly mistake.
What Is the Going Rate?
The going rate is the salary level assigned to the relevant occupation code.
Each eligible occupation has its own going rate.
For many jobs, the standard requirement is that the applicant meets both the general salary requirement and the relevant going rate, subject to the specific salary provisions that apply to the applicant.
The going rates are generally based on a 37.5-hour working week.
If you work a different number of hours, the figure may need to be adjusted according to the applicable rules.
This makes it important to compare the salary in the Certificate of Sponsorship with the official going-rate information rather than relying on a general salary figure found in an online job advertisement.
English Language Requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa
English language ability is another important part of the Skilled Worker visa application.
For many new Skilled Worker applicants, the required level is currently:
B2 on the CEFR scale
You need to demonstrate that you can:
- Read English
- Write English
- Speak English
- Understand spoken English
The Home Office accepts several ways of proving English ability.
These can include:
- An approved English language test
- Certain UK school qualifications
- A UK degree taught in English
- A degree from an overseas institution that was taught in English, subject to the relevant evidence requirements
- English language evidence accepted from a previous successful immigration application
If an overseas degree was taught in English, applicants may need an assessment from Ecctis to confirm the relevant qualification and language of instruction.
There are also nationality-based exemptions and certain professional exceptions.
For example, some doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and vets may be able to rely on an English assessment already accepted by the relevant professional regulator.
Do not book an English test too quickly
This is a practical point that is easy to overlook.
Before paying for an English test, check whether you already have acceptable evidence.
You may already satisfy the requirement through a previous visa application or an eligible qualification.
Financial Requirement: How Much Money Do You Need?
Most applicants must show that they have enough money to support themselves when they arrive in the UK.
The current requirement is generally:
£1,270
The money normally needs to have been held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that 28-day period falling within 31 days of the visa application.
However, there are circumstances where you do not need to provide this evidence.
For example, you may be exempt if:
- You have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months; or
- Your employer confirms on your Certificate of Sponsorship that it will cover your maintenance costs during your first month in the UK, up to the required amount.
The important detail is that this is not simply about having £1,270 on the day you apply.
Where financial evidence is required, the relevant funds need to satisfy the prescribed holding-period rules.
Skilled Worker Visa UK Costs
The total cost of a Skilled Worker application is more than just the visa application fee.
You may need to budget for:
- Visa application fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- English language test, if required
- Ecctis assessment, where required
- TB test, where required
- Translation or certification costs
- Biometric or application-centre related expenses where applicable
- Costs for dependants
- Travel and relocation expenses
Current Skilled Worker visa application fees
For applications made outside the UK, the standard application fee is currently:
| Visa length | Standard fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 years | £819 |
| More than 3 years | £1,618 |
For applications made inside the UK to extend, switch or update a Skilled Worker visa:
| Visa length | Standard fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 years | £943 |
| More than 3 years | £1,865 |
These are current standard fees. Jobs on the Immigration Salary List can attract lower application fees.
Immigration Salary List fees
Where the relevant job is on the Immigration Salary List, the application fee is lower.
Current standard fees include:
- £628 for up to three years
- £1,235 for more than three years
The exact amount shown during your application should always be checked because immigration fees can change.
Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge, commonly called the IHS, is another major cost.
For most Skilled Worker applicants, the current rate is:
£1,035 per year
The amount is calculated according to the length of immigration permission rather than simply the number of calendar years you expect to work in the UK.
For example, a three-year Skilled Worker visa would normally involve an IHS cost of:
£1,035 × 3 = £3,105
This is separate from the visa application fee.
Some healthcare workers who qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa are exempt from the IHS, which is one reason eligible healthcare professionals should check whether that route is more appropriate.
A Simple Example of the Total Cost
Suppose you are applying from outside the UK for a three-year Skilled Worker visa and your job is not on the Immigration Salary List.
You could have:
Visa application fee: £819
IHS: £3,105
Maintenance funds: £1,270 available, where required
The £1,270 is not a visa fee. It is evidence of funds you may need to show and remains your money.
This illustrates why looking only at the £819 application fee can give applicants an unrealistic picture of the financial preparation required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: What Is It?
The Certificate of Sponsorship is a key part of the Skilled Worker process.
Your sponsor assigns the CoS electronically.
You receive a reference number, which you use in your visa application.
The CoS normally contains information such as:
- Your name
- Job title
- Occupation code
- Salary
- Employer details
- Sponsorship information
- Proposed employment dates
Your application should match the information in the CoS.
How long is a CoS valid for?
You generally need to use the Certificate of Sponsorship within three months of it being assigned to you.
You also cannot normally apply more than three months before the start date stated on the CoS.
This means timing matters.
Do not obtain sponsorship and then leave the application sitting for months without checking the relevant dates.
Documents Required for a Skilled Worker Visa
The exact document list depends on your circumstances, but common evidence includes:
1. Passport
You need a valid passport or another acceptable document proving your identity and nationality.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship reference
Your employer gives you the reference number.
3. Job information
You will normally need information such as:
- Job title
- Annual salary
- Occupation code
- Employer name
- Sponsor licence number
4. English language evidence
This could be a test result, qualification or other accepted evidence.
5. Financial evidence
Where required, you may need bank statements or other acceptable evidence showing the required maintenance funds.
6. Tuberculosis certificate
Applicants from certain countries may need to provide a valid TB test certificate.
7. Criminal record certificate
Depending on the occupation, applicants applying from outside the UK may need criminal record certificates.
This can apply to certain jobs in areas such as:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Therapy
- Social services
The official document guidance provides the relevant circumstances and requirements.
8. PhD evidence
If you are relying on a qualifying PhD-related salary provision, you may need your UK PhD certificate or an Ecctis reference where the qualification is from outside the UK.
9. ATAS certificate
Some applicants working in sensitive research areas at PhD level or above may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
10. Relationship documents for dependants
If your partner or children are applying with you, you may need evidence establishing the relevant relationship.
If documents are not in English or Welsh, a certified translation may also be required.
Keep Your Documents Consistent
A surprisingly common source of difficulty is inconsistency.
For example:
Passport: Rajesh Kumar
Degree: Rajesh K. Kumar
CoS: Rajesh Kumar Singh
A difference does not automatically mean refusal, but it can create questions.
The same applies to:
- Dates
- Employment history
- Job titles
- Salary
- Employer information
- Address history
- Immigration history
Your documents should tell the same story as your application form.
Do not submit large amounts of unnecessary evidence simply because you think “more documents must be better”.
The goal is relevant, accurate and properly prepared evidence.
How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa UK
The application process can be viewed as a series of stages.
Stage 1: Find a qualifying job
Start with the job rather than the visa form.
Check:
- Employer
- Sponsor status
- Job duties
- Occupation code
- Salary
- Working hours
- Sponsorship availability
Stage 2: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
Once the employer is ready to sponsor you, it assigns the relevant CoS.
Check the details carefully.
Do not assume that mistakes in the CoS will automatically be corrected during the visa process.
Stage 3: Check your English evidence
Determine whether you already meet the English requirement.
If you need a test, take the appropriate approved test and make sure the evidence is valid for the application.
Stage 4: Prepare financial evidence
If you are required to show maintenance funds, make sure the money has been held for the required period.
Stage 5: Gather supporting documents
Prepare your passport, CoS reference, English evidence and any other documents relevant to your case.
Stage 6: Complete the online application
The Skilled Worker visa application is made online.
The process differs depending on whether you are:
- Applying from outside the UK
- Extending your current Skilled Worker visa
- Switching from another eligible immigration route
- Updating your visa because you are changing employer or job
Stage 7: Prove your identity
Depending on your circumstances, you may use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre to provide biometric information.
Stage 8: Pay the required costs
This can include the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Stage 9: Wait for a decision
For applications made outside the UK, GOV.UK currently states that a decision is usually made within three weeks after you have applied online, proved your identity and provided the required documents. Some applications take longer because of verification, interviews or individual circumstances.
Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements simply because you expect a decision by a particular date. UKVI advises applicants to allow enough time and not book travel until they have received a decision.
Can You Apply From Inside the UK?
Yes, in many circumstances.
If you are already in the UK with valid immigration permission, you may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route or update your existing Skilled Worker visa.
However, not every immigration category allows switching.
Some categories are excluded from switching, so your current immigration status must be checked before you make plans.
If you are applying to switch inside the UK, you should also be careful about international travel while your application is pending. The relevant rules can result in an application being withdrawn if you leave the Common Travel Area before a decision is made.
This is one reason immigration planning should happen before booking travel.
What Can You Do on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Once granted, the Skilled Worker visa gives you permission to undertake the sponsored employment.
You can generally:
Work
You can work in your sponsored role for your sponsoring employer.
Study
You can study, subject to any applicable restrictions.
Take additional work
Certain additional employment can be permitted, subject to the rules.
Volunteer
Permitted unpaid voluntary work can be undertaken in qualifying circumstances.
Travel
You can travel outside the UK and return while your immigration permission remains valid.
Bring family
Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants, subject to the relevant rules.
Work towards settlement
The Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement if you satisfy the separate indefinite leave to remain requirements.
Can You Change Employer on a Skilled Worker Visa?
This is an important point.
A Skilled Worker visa is connected to sponsored employment.
You cannot simply leave your sponsored employer and start working permanently for an unrelated employer without dealing with your immigration permission.
If you change employer or take a new job requiring different sponsorship details, you will normally need to apply to update your visa before starting the new sponsored employment.
The new job must also satisfy the relevant Skilled Worker requirements.
This means a job offer from another UK employer is not, by itself, enough.
The new employer, occupation and salary all need to be considered.
Can You Bring Your Family to the UK?
Eligible partners and children can generally apply as dependants, although the rules contain specific conditions and restrictions.
A dependant can generally include:
- Your husband, wife or civil partner
- An eligible unmarried partner
- A child under 18
- Certain children over 18 who already have permission as your dependant
Dependants normally make separate applications and need to provide evidence of the relevant relationship.
However, dependant rules have become more restrictive for certain occupations and circumstances, particularly following changes affecting care workers and some medium-skilled occupations.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that every Skilled Worker can automatically bring every family member under identical rules.
The exact occupation and immigration circumstances should be checked before making family relocation plans.
Skilled Worker Visa and Settlement
One of the major long-term benefits of the Skilled Worker route is that it can lead to settlement.
Under the current rules, an eligible Skilled Worker may generally apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, provided all relevant settlement requirements are satisfied.
This is not an automatic five-year guarantee.
You need to satisfy the settlement requirements that apply at the time you apply.
These can include requirements relating to:
- Continuous residence
- Qualifying immigration permission
- Salary and sponsorship
- Knowledge of Life in the UK
- English language
- Suitability
- Other requirements under the Immigration Rules
The rules can also change during a five-year immigration journey.
That is why people planning long-term settlement should think beyond their first visa application.
Planning Your Five-Year Skilled Worker Journey
A good immigration plan starts before the first application.
Think about the journey in stages.
Year 1: Enter or switch to the route
Focus on:
- Correct sponsorship
- Correct occupation code
- Correct salary
- Immigration compliance
- Keeping your documents
Years 2–3: Maintain your status
If you change jobs, check whether your visa needs updating.
Keep evidence of:
- Employment
- Salary
- Immigration permission
- Absences from the UK
- Relevant correspondence
Years 4–5: Prepare for settlement
Do not wait until the final few weeks to start checking settlement requirements.
Review:
- Continuous residence
- Absences
- English requirement
- Life in the UK requirement
- Salary
- Sponsorship
- Suitability requirements
At the five-year point
If you meet the applicable requirements, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
This longer-term planning can prevent a situation where someone successfully obtains a Skilled Worker visa but later discovers that they have not prepared properly for settlement.
Common Skilled Worker Visa Mistakes to Avoid
1. Assuming a job offer guarantees a visa
It does not.
The job still needs to meet the applicable sponsorship and immigration requirements.
2. Checking only the £41,700 salary figure
The going rate may be higher.
Always check both.
3. Using the wrong occupation code
The occupation code should reflect the actual job duties.
4. Relying on an old article
Immigration rules change.
A salary figure from 2024 or an occupation list from 2025 may no longer reflect the rules that apply to your application.
5. Ignoring working hours
Going rates are generally based on a specified working pattern and may need to be adjusted for different hours.
6. Booking an English test without checking exemptions
You may already have acceptable English evidence.
7. Forgetting maintenance requirements
If you are not exempt, make sure the required funds have been held for the required period.
8. Providing inconsistent information
Your application, CoS and supporting documents should be consistent.
9. Assuming you can change employer freely
Changing employer can require an immigration application to update your permission.
10. Leaving everything until the last minute
A missing document, expired test result or sponsorship problem can delay your plans.
Why Professional Advice Can Be Useful
Not every Skilled Worker application requires professional legal assistance.
Some cases are relatively straightforward:
- Clear eligible occupation
- Approved sponsor
- Correct salary
- Straightforward immigration history
- Clear English evidence
- Complete documents
But professional advice can become particularly useful where the case has complications.
For example:
- You are unsure about the occupation code
- Your salary is close to the required threshold
- Your job has unusual duties
- You have previously been refused a UK visa
- You want to switch from another immigration category
- You are changing employer
- You have complicated immigration history
- You are planning for settlement
- You need to assess dependant eligibility
- Your sponsor has provided information that appears inconsistent
The value of advice is often in identifying the problem before the application is submitted.
Skilled Worker Visa UK: A Practical Pre-Application Checklist
Before pressing “submit”, work through the following list.
Job
- Employer is an approved sponsor
- Job is eligible
- Occupation code is correct
- Duties match the occupation code
- Salary meets the applicable requirement
- Working hours are correctly recorded
Sponsorship
- Certificate of Sponsorship has been assigned
- CoS reference is correct
- Employer details are correct
- Job title is correct
- Salary is correct
- Start date is correct
English
- B2 requirement checked
- Test completed if required
- Qualification evidence checked
- Previous immigration evidence considered
Finance
- £1,270 maintenance requirement checked
- Funds held for the required period where applicable
- Exemption checked if relevant
Documents
- Passport
- CoS reference
- English evidence
- Financial evidence
- TB certificate if required
- Criminal record certificate if required
- Ecctis evidence if required
- ATAS certificate if required
- Dependant documents if applicable
- Certified translations where necessary
Application
- Correct application route selected
- Correct fee checked
- IHS calculated
- Identity requirements completed
- Supporting documents uploaded
- Information checked before submission
What Does the Future Look Like for Skilled Workers?
For many applicants, the Skilled Worker visa is not simply a way to enter the UK for a job.
It can be the beginning of a longer professional and personal plan.
You may arrive in the UK to take up a sponsored position. Over time, you may develop your career, change roles through the correct immigration process, bring your family, extend your permission and eventually consider settlement.
But immigration planning has to keep pace with the rules.
Salary thresholds can change.
Occupation lists can change.
Dependant rules can change.
English requirements can change.
Visa fees can change.
Settlement rules can change.
That means an applicant who carefully meets today’s requirements should still review the rules when extending their visa and again when preparing for settlement.
The safest approach is not to memorise one set of numbers.
It is to understand how the system works and check the rules that apply at each stage.
Final Thoughts
The Skilled Worker Visa UK route can provide eligible overseas workers with an opportunity to build a career and life in Britain.
But it is not simply a matter of finding a UK employer and receiving a job offer.
The application works as a chain:
Approved sponsor → Eligible occupation → Correct occupation code → Required salary → Certificate of Sponsorship → English requirement → Financial requirement → Supporting evidence → Correct application
If one part does not fit, the application can become more complicated.
Salary deserves particular attention. The standard £41,700 figure is important, but it is not the only number that matters. The going rate for the occupation and any applicable salary options must also be considered.
The same principle applies to the job itself. A job title may look eligible, but the actual duties and occupation code need to align.
For applicants planning a move to the UK, preparation is therefore more than collecting documents. It means checking the rules before making commitments, understanding the sponsorship arrangement and thinking about what happens after the first visa is granted.
The Skilled Worker visa can be the start of a much longer journey. Planning that journey carefully from the beginning can make each later stage easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Skilled Worker visa without a job offer?
Generally, no.
You normally need an eligible job offer from a UK employer that is authorised to sponsor workers and can assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
The job itself must also meet the applicable occupation and salary requirements.
What is the salary requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa UK?
Under the standard rules, you will generally need to earn at least £41,700 per year or the applicable going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.
However, lower salary provisions can apply in specific circumstances, including certain jobs on the Immigration Salary List and other qualifying categories.
Is £41,700 the minimum salary for every Skilled Worker?
No.
The £41,700 figure is the standard general salary threshold. You also need to consider the going rate for your occupation and whether a different salary provision applies to your circumstances.
What is the English requirement for a new Skilled Worker visa?
For a new Skilled Worker application, the general English requirement is currently B2 level on the CEFR scale.
There are several ways to prove English, including an approved test and certain UK or overseas qualifications. Some applicants may also qualify for an exemption or rely on evidence accepted from a previous successful application.
How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost?
For applications from outside the UK, the standard application fee is currently £819 for up to three years and £1,618 for more than three years.
Applications made inside the UK to extend, switch or update the visa have standard fees of £943 for up to three years and £1,865 for more than three years.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year for Skilled Worker applicants.
Do I need £1,270 in my bank account?
Most applicants need to show £1,270 in available funds unless they qualify for an exemption.
Where financial evidence is required, the funds normally need to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the relevant end date within 31 days of the application.
Can I bring my family on a Skilled Worker visa?
Eligible partners and children can generally apply as dependants, but specific restrictions apply to some occupations and circumstances.
Each dependant normally makes a separate application and must meet the relevant requirements.
Can I change employers on a Skilled Worker visa?
You cannot normally move to a completely different sponsored job without checking your immigration permission.
If you change employer or take a job that requires different sponsorship details, you will generally need to apply to update your visa before starting the new employment.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?
A Skilled Worker visa can last for up to five years at a time, depending on the circumstances and sponsorship.
You can apply to extend it if you continue to meet the requirements.
Can the Skilled Worker visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes.
The Skilled Worker route can lead to indefinite leave to remain. Under the current rules, eligible applicants may generally apply after five years if they satisfy the continuous residence, salary, English, Life in the UK, suitability and other applicable requirements.
How long does a Skilled Worker visa application take?
For an application made from outside the UK, GOV.UK currently states that you will usually receive a decision within three weeks after applying, proving your identity and providing the required documents.
Some applications take longer because additional checks, document verification, interviews or individual circumstances may be involved.
Should I apply for a Skilled Worker visa before checking my occupation code?
No.
The occupation code is one of the foundations of the application. You should check that the proposed occupation is eligible and that the actual duties correspond with the code being used for sponsorship.
The official occupation tables should be checked before relying on an employer’s job title alone.
Official UK Government Sources
For the most current requirements, applicants should check the relevant GOV.UK guidance and Immigration Rules before submitting an application:
- Skilled Worker visa – GOV.UK
- Skilled Worker Immigration Rules – GOV.UK
- Skilled Occupations and going rates – GOV.UK
- Skilled Worker visa costs – GOV.UK
- Skilled Worker visa documents – GOV.UK
Last reviewed: September 2026
Note: Immigration requirements, fees and occupation lists can change. Always check the rules in force on the date you apply.
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