UK Skilled Worker visa

Key features

• Approved employer — you must have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor
• Points based — you must score at least 70 points under the UK points-based system
• Skilled role — the job must be at the required skill level

Requirements

You must:

• Have a verified employment offer from a licensed UK employer who will serve as your sponsor
• Possess a Sponsorship Certificate provided by your employer
• Pass the point-based evaluation
• Meet the minimum salary threshold for the job offer (or be able to trade points for a lower salary)

Points & salary

The Skilled Worker route is points-based: you must score 70 points. Points come from having a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor, a job at the required skill level, meeting the English language requirement, and being paid at least the minimum salary for your role.

You must be paid at least the general salary threshold or the “going rate” for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. The going rate is set for each occupation code, so many jobs require more than the general minimum.

The exact minimum you must be paid depends on your occupation, your circumstances, and the date on your Certificate of Sponsorship — the rules were tightened on 4 April 2024 and changed again on 22 July 2025, and transitional arrangements can apply to people already on the route. Always confirm the figure for your specific occupation on gov.uk.

• General minimum salary — at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher
• Lower salary threshold — from £33,400 a year (or the applicable going-rate percentage) may apply if you meet additional criteria, for example a job on the Immigration Salary List, a relevant PhD, or as a “new entrant” early in your career
• Health and education roles — the going rate is based on the relevant national pay scale rather than the general threshold
• Prison officers — a separate floor of £31,300 a year applies
• The salary must normally be a guaranteed basic gross salary — allowances and one-off payments usually do not count

What you can do

• Live and work in the UK for up to five years at a time
• Bring your family — your partner and children can join you on dependant visas
• Study without prior Home Office approval (STEM students should verify)
• Do additional work in the same occupation code/level or in shortage occupations
• Access the NHS and the UK education system
• Live and work anywhere in the UK, travel freely, and after five years you may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain

Documents you will need

• Passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer
• Proof of English language skills
• Proof of qualifications
• Proof of salary
• Tuberculosis test results — if required
• Criminal record certificate — if required
• Valid ATAS certificate — if required
• Proof of relationship with partner/children — if applying together

Costs

A Skilled Worker application has three main costs: the application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and evidence that you can support yourself. Your employer also pays sponsorship costs, which they cannot lawfully pass on to you in full. Figures below were checked on gov.uk in August 2026 — always confirm the current amounts before you apply.

• Application fee (applying from outside the UK) — £819 for up to 3 years, or £1,618 for more than 3 years, per person
• Application fee (applying from inside the UK, e.g. extending or switching) — £943 for up to 3 years, or £1,865 for more than 3 years, per person
• Lower fee for jobs on the Immigration Salary List — £628 (up to 3 years) or £1,235 (more than 3 years)
• Immigration Health Surcharge — £1,035 per year of your visa, paid up front (also payable for each dependant)
• Maintenance — you usually need at least £1,270 held for 28 days in a row, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship

Family (dependants)

Your partner and children can usually apply to join you as dependants. Each dependant pays their own application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and you must show additional funds to support them unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.

• Eligible dependants — your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner, and children under 18 (children over 18 already in the UK as your dependant can also apply)
• Partners can work in almost any job and do not need their own sponsor
• Additional maintenance is normally required — a set amount for a partner and for each child, held for 28 days

Extending, switching and settlement

• Extending — you can keep extending the visa as long as you still meet the requirements and continue to be sponsored; there is no maximum number of extensions
• Switching — you can usually switch into the Skilled Worker route from inside the UK from many other visa types, but not from a visitor visa or most short-term routes
• Settlement — after 5 years of continuous lawful residence on qualifying routes you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), provided you still meet the salary rules, pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English requirement

Processing time

The published service standard is usually up to 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and up to 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK, measured from your biometrics appointment. Where offered, a priority service can give a decision within about 5 working days and super priority by the end of the next working day, for an extra fee. Complex cases can take longer.

How long can you stay?

Initially granted for up to five years, matching the job-offer duration, and renewable. After five years you may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).