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 when the UK launched its points-based immigration system. It is the primary route for people from any country who want to work in the UK, provided they have a qualifying job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence.
Unlike the Tier 2 system, there is no cap on the number of Skilled Worker visas issued per month (with some exceptions for applicants outside the Immigration Salary List at the going rate).
Points-Based Requirements
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 for Skilled Worker sponsorship. This is a significant tightening from the previous RQF Level 3 threshold.
RQF Level 6 covers:
- Bachelor's degrees and equivalent
- Graduate Apprenticeships
- Professional qualifications at degree level
The applicant does not need to personally hold the qualification — the job itself must be assessed at RQF 6. 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.
Applicants can meet this requirement by:
- Passing a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 level
- Holding a degree taught in English
- Being a national of a visa-exempt majority English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, and others)
Applicants from exempt countries are not required to take a language test.
Application Process and Fees
Steps:
- Secure a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
- Employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Gather supporting documents (passport, English language proof, salary evidence)
- Apply online via UKVI, pay fees, enrol biometrics
- Receive 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 securing a valid CoS. The CoS reference number is mandatory — don't apply without it.
- Not checking if your SOC code is still eligible. The RQF 6 change removed many previously-eligible roles from July 2025.
- Underestimating the total cost. Between visa fees, IHS, and the employer's ISC and sponsor licence costs, Skilled Worker sponsorship is expensive.
- Missing the English language upgrade. Applications from January 2026 must now evidence B2 (not just B1) for new entrants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Skilled Worker visa holders bring family to the UK?
Yes. Dependent partners and children under 18 can apply on dependent visas. They can work or study in the UK without additional permissions.
Does the Skilled Worker visa allow you to switch employers freely?
No — see Changing Visa Sponsors. You must apply for a new visa when changing employers (with some exceptions for internal restructures).
Is there a language test for nationalities from English-speaking countries?
No. Nationals from majority English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and others listed in Appendix English Language) are automatically exempt from the language test.
Can I freelance on the side on a Skilled Worker visa?
Skilled Workers can do supplementary employment in certain circumstances — in the same occupation as their sponsored role, or in a shortage occupation — up to 20 hours per week. Freelancing outside this is not permitted without additional leave.
Related Terms
Find your next Skilled Worker visa-sponsored role from thousands of licensed UK employers. Search jobs →