The Skilled Worker visa replaced Tier 2 (General) on 1 December 2020 and is the UK’s main employer-sponsored work route. It is for non-British/Irish nationals who have a qualifying job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor in an eligible occupation.
You must be sponsored by a licensed employer and your role must be on the current list of eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes (normally graduate-level/RQF6 from 22 July 2025, with limited exceptions and transitional protections).
Points requirement (70 points)
You need 70 points made up of 50 mandatory points and 20 tradeable points. From 22 July 2025, the main tradeable options for new CoS are:
- Option A: Salary at least £41,700 and 100% of the going rate for the occupation.
- Option B: £37,500 and 90% of the going rate plus a relevant PhD.
- Option C: £33,400 and 80% of the going rate plus a relevant STEM PhD.
- Option D: Job on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) meeting its reduced threshold and going rate.
- Option E (New Entrant): £33,400 and 70% of the going rate, subject to new-entrant criteria.
Going rates are based on a 37.5-hour week, and the minimum hourly floor applies. Transitional rules apply if you were already sponsored before 22 July 2025.
English language
You must meet the English language requirement. For first-time Skilled Worker grants made on or after 8 January 2026, the Home Office has raised the requirement to B2 (previously B1). Extensions, ILR and dependants remain at their existing levels unless and until the Rules change.
Switching and extending
You can switch to Skilled Worker from inside the UK unless your last permission was as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or you had leave outside the Rules.
You can extend your visa and, after 5 years on qualifying routes, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if all requirements are met.
Family (dependants)
A partner and children can usually join or remain with you as dependants (financial requirements apply). General rules allow children who first applied under 18 to extend after turning 18 if they remain dependants. Restrictions now apply if your role is one of the limited “medium-skilled” exceptions (or certain care roles) under the July 2025 changes—most new Skilled Worker roles are graduate-level and unaffected.
Costs and processing times
Applicants pay the visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)—currently £1,035 per year—and must show maintenance funds (usually £1,270 for the main applicant, plus £285/£315/£200 for partner/first child/each additional child unless exempt or certified by the sponsor). Decisions are usually 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks inside the UK. (Employers should also budget for the Certificate of Sponsorship fee—£525 since 9 April 2025—and the Immigration Skills Charge, which is scheduled to increase on 16 December 2025.)
FAQs
What is a Skilled Worker visa?
A sponsored work route allowing you to live and work in the UK for a Home Office-approved employer in an eligible occupation. It leads to ILR after 5 years if you meet the rules.
Who is eligible?
You must:
- have a genuine job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved sponsor;
- be sponsored in an eligible occupation (generally RQF6+ from 22 July 2025, with limited exceptions/transitional protection);
- meet the English requirement (B1 now; B2 for first-time grants from 8 Jan 2026);
- meet the salary requirement using one of the tradeable options (see above) and the occupation’s going rate (37.5h basis).
What documents do I need?
Typically: CoS number; passport/ID; proof of English; job title and occupation code; salary details; evidence of maintenance funds (unless exempt/certified); TB certificate if required; ATAS if doing sensitive PhD-level research.
Can I bring my family?
Yes—partner and children can apply as dependants if you meet the relationship and financial requirements. Note the post-July 2025 restrictions where a role is classed as medium-skilled under specific exceptions; most graduate-level roles are unaffected. Children generally must be under 18 at first application, but can extend after 18 if they remain dependants.
I’m on a Student visa—can I switch?
Yes, if you meet Skilled Worker requirements. (The old “Tier 4” language is no longer used.)
How long does a Skilled Worker visa last?
Up to 5 years initially (or for the period stated on your CoS). You can extend and the route leads to ILR after 5 years if you qualify.
Do I need to take an English test?
Usually yes, unless you’re exempt (e.g., majority English-speaking nationality or a degree taught in English). From 8 January 2026, first-time Skilled Worker grants require B2.
Can I work more than one job?
Yes, within limits. You can take supplementary employment up to 20 hours/week outside your sponsored hours, if the extra work is in a higher-skilled eligible occupation, on the ISL, or (for some transitional cases) a medium-skilled eligible code. If you’ll work more than 20 hours in a second job, you must be sponsored for both.
Can I be self-employed?
The route is for employees sponsored by a licensed employer. Genuine self-employment is not covered (there are other routes that may be suitable).
How do I prove my status to an employer/landlord?
The UK has moved to eVisas. You’ll use your UKVI account to generate a share code to prove your right to work/rent; BRPs have been replaced.
Trust Barar & Associates with your Skilled Worker application
Our team advises both employers and applicants on sponsorship, compliance and applications under the latest Rules, including the July 2025 skill and salary reforms, ISL/TSL changes, and the upcoming English-language update. If you’d like tailored advice or a full start-to-finish service, contact us.
