Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the UK's main route for overseas nationals to work in the UK. Applicants need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a role meeting the skill and salary thresholds, and English language proficiency — and must score 70 points under the UK's points-based immigration system.
In This Article
- What is the Skilled Worker visa?
- Points-based requirements
- Salary thresholds (2025/2026)
- Eligible roles and skill levels
- English language requirement
- Application process and fees
- How long can you stay?
- Path to settlement
- 2025/2026 updates
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa on 1 December 2020. It is the main route for people from any country who want to work in the UK, provided they have a qualifying job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence.
There is no annual cap on Skilled Worker visas. That alone makes it far more accessible than its predecessor.
Points-Based Requirements
Skilled Worker Points Checker
Tick the criteria that apply to you. You need 70 points to qualify.
Mandatory points (50 pts required)
Tradeable points (20 pts — pick whichever applies)
Select the criteria above to see your eligibility.
This is a simplified checker. Your immigration adviser or sponsor can confirm your exact points for your SOC code and salary.
Applicants must score 70 points from a combination of mandatory and tradeable criteria:
Mandatory (50 points — all required):
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Job offer from an approved sponsor | 20 |
| Role meets skill threshold (RQF 6+) | 20 |
| English language at B1 level or above | 10 |
Tradeable (20 points — from any combination):
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Salary meets or exceeds going rate + general threshold | 20 |
| Salary is 90% of going rate (plus PhD in relevant subject) | 20 |
| Salary is 80% of going rate (ISL role) | 20 |
| Job is on the Immigration Salary List (at 80% rate) | 20 |
In practice, most applicants score the 20 tradeable points by meeting the salary threshold. The PhD "shortfall" route is available but less commonly used.
Salary Thresholds (2025/2026)
| Threshold | Amount |
|---|---|
| General minimum (all roles) | £41,700/year |
| Universal hourly minimum | £17.13/hour |
| Going rate | Varies by SOC code |
| ISL discount (where eligible) | 80% of going rate (min £41,700) |
The worker must be paid whichever is higher: the general threshold or the going rate for their SOC code.
Eligible Roles and Skill Levels
From 22 July 2025, roles must be at RQF Level 6 or above (graduate degree equivalent) to qualify. That is a jump from RQF 3 to RQF 6, cutting out most sub-degree occupations overnight.
RQF Level 6 includes bachelor's degrees, graduate apprenticeships, and professional qualifications at degree level.
You do not need to personally hold the qualification. What matters is how the job itself is classified. The relevant SOC code must map to RQF 6 in the Home Office's Appendix Skilled Occupations.
A small number of sub-degree roles remain eligible via the Temporary Shortage List under strict conditions.
English Language Requirement
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B2 (upper intermediate) or above. This is an upgrade from the previous B1 requirement.
You can meet this in three ways: pass a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 level, hold a degree that was taught in English, or be a national of a majority English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, and others). If you fall into that last group, no test is required.
Application Process and Fees
The process is straightforward in theory, though paperwork takes time. First, you secure a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. The employer then assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship. You gather supporting documents (passport, English language proof, salary evidence), apply online via UKVI, pay fees, enrol biometrics, and wait for a decision.
Applicant fees (from abroad, 2025):
| Stay duration | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 years | £769 |
| More than 3 years | £1,420 |
| Health and Care Worker — up to 3 years | £284 |
| Health and Care Worker — more than 3 years | £551 |
Immigration Health Surcharge: Paid upfront for the full duration of leave at £1,035/year.
Processing times: Standard is 3 weeks from abroad; priority processing is available for an additional fee (typically 5 working days).
How Long Can You Stay?
The Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years (matching the CoS end date, up to that limit). Workers can extend in further periods and are not limited in the number of extensions.
However, any period outside the UK exceeding 180 days in a 12-month period may affect settlement eligibility.
Path to Settlement
After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK (which can include time on other visa routes), Skilled Workers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This grants permanent residency and removes the need for future sponsorship.
Requirements for ILR:
- 5 years of qualifying residence
- Absence record (no more than 180 days in any 12-month period)
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Meet the English language requirement
- No immigration breaches
2025/2026 Updates
Three major changes in the 2024–2026 period:
- Salary thresholds rose sharply (April 2024): From £26,200 to £41,700 general threshold — a ~60% increase
- RQF level raised (July 2025): From RQF 3 to RQF 6, removing sub-degree roles from most eligibility
- English language raised (January 2026): From B1 to B2 level for new applicants
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying before you have a valid CoS. The reference number is mandatory. No CoS, no application.
- Not checking whether your SOC code still qualifies. The RQF 6 change in July 2025 removed many previously-eligible roles.
- Underestimating total cost. Visa fees, IHS, the employer's ISC, and sponsor licence costs add up fast.
- Forgetting the English language upgrade. From January 2026, new applicants must evidence B2, not B1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Skilled Worker visa holders bring family to the UK?
Yes. Your partner and children under 18 can join you on dependent visas, and they are free to work or study without needing separate permission.
Does the Skilled Worker visa allow you to switch employers freely?
Not quite. You need to submit a new visa application each time you change employer. See Changing Visa Sponsors for the full process and exceptions (like internal restructures).
Is there a language test for nationalities from English-speaking countries?
No. If you hold a passport from a majority English-speaking country listed in Appendix English Language (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and others), you are automatically exempt.
Can I freelance on the side on a Skilled Worker visa?
Only in narrow circumstances. You can do supplementary work in the same occupation as your sponsored role, or in a shortage occupation, up to 20 hours per week. Anything beyond that requires separate immigration permission.
Related Terms
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