Skilled Worker Visa UK Guide for 2025

The Skilled Worker visa is the primary long-term work route under the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System. It enables non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in an eligible job with a licensed sponsor.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Skilled Worker visa route, including who can apply, the eligibility requirements, how to submit a compliant application, and what rights and restrictions apply once you hold the visa. It also explains how to settle permanently in the UK under this route and the pathway to British citizenship.

Section A: Overview of the Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker route is the main UK visa for sponsored employment. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and is available to skilled workers with a confirmed job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor, subject to meeting a set of eligibility criteria and a points-based assessment.

1. What is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa is a UK immigration route for overseas nationals coming to the UK to do a specific job with an eligible employer. Applicants must meet requirements relating to salary, skill level, sponsorship, and English language.

This visa grants permission to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time, with the ability to extend or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after meeting the continuous residence requirements.

2. What can Skilled Worker visa holders do?

• Work in your sponsored job role
• Study part-time alongside your job
• Bring eligible dependants (partner and children)
• Undertake voluntary work
• Do up to 20 hours of additional paid work per week in certain eligible jobs
• Travel in and out of the UK freely
• Apply for ILR (settlement) after 5 years, if eligible

3. What can’t Skilled Worker visa holders do?

• Access most public funds or claim benefits
• Change jobs or employers without first applying to update your visa
• Work in a job that is not listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship

4. Who can apply for a Skilled Worker visa?

You must be a non-UK national who has been offered an eligible job with a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence. Irish citizens do not need a visa to work in the UK. EU and EEA nationals who are not covered by the EU Settlement Scheme are required to apply for a visa to work legally in the UK.

Summary – Section A
The Skilled Worker visa is a route for non-UK nationals with an eligible job offer from a licensed UK employer. It allows long-term work and residence in the UK, with a pathway to settlement and eventually citizenship. However, visa holders must comply with specific conditions and restrictions and must maintain valid sponsorship throughout their stay.

Section B: Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility & Points Requirements

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must meet the mandatory criteria under the UK’s points-based immigration system. The total required score is 70 points, made up of mandatory and tradeable elements.

1. Points-Based Assessment

Applicants must score:

Mandatory points (50 points total):

• Offer of a job from a UK-licensed sponsor (20 points)
• Job at required skill level (20 points)
• English language proficiency at B1 CEFR (10 points)

Tradeable points (20 points total):

These can be earned through:

• Meeting the general salary threshold of £41,700 or the ‘going rate’
• Lower salary plus job in shortage occupation
• PhD in a relevant subject or STEM field
• Age-based new entrant status
• Job in a listed education or healthcare role

2. Minimum Salary Requirement (2025/26 thresholds)

The general salary threshold is £41,700 or the ‘going rate’ for the role, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds apply in limited circumstances:

• New entrants (under 26 or recently graduated): £33,400
• Transitional threshold (sponsors licensed pre-1 Jan 2021): £31,300
• Shortage occupation or STEM PhD holders: £30,960
• Health and care roles: £25,000 or £23,200 depending on role

The exact figure must be checked against the occupation’s official going rate in Appendix Skilled Occupations.

3. English Language Requirement

Applicants must prove knowledge of English to at least B1 CEFR level in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. This can be shown by:

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT)
• Holding a degree taught in English and validated by Ecctis
• Being a national of an English-speaking country listed in Appendix English Language

4. Additional Eligibility Criteria

Alongside the points requirements, applicants must also:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued in the 3 months before applying
• Show the job is a genuine vacancy
• Provide a TB certificate if applicable based on country of residence
• Submit a criminal record certificate for certain job roles
• Obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if required
• Have enough funds to support themselves, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS

Summary – Section B
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet both the 70-point requirement and satisfy additional legal criteria around finances, documentation and job validity. Salary thresholds vary by job type, age and sector, so understanding the exact code and conditions for your role is critical.

Section C: How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa

Applying for a Skilled Worker visa involves multiple stages including obtaining sponsorship, gathering documentation, and submitting your application online. You can apply from outside or inside the UK, depending on your current immigration status.

1. Step-by-step application process

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

• Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence
• Ensure your job is eligible and listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations
• Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with an appropriate occupation code
• Prepare supporting documentation
• Submit the visa application online
• Attend a biometrics appointment (unless using an approved identity app)

2. Getting a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your sponsoring employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship using the Home Office Sponsor Management System. The CoS must:

• Be issued no more than 3 months before your visa application
• Include your job title, occupation code, salary, and work location
• Confirm your job is genuine and meets the skill and salary thresholds
• Indicate whether the employer will certify maintenance for you

Only licensed sponsors can issue a valid CoS. You must check that your employer appears on the official list of registered sponsors.

3. Document preparation

Your documents must be in English or Welsh, or be accompanied by certified translations. You must provide:

• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Valid passport with a blank page
• Job title, occupation code, and salary
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Evidence of personal savings (unless certified by your sponsor)

You may also need to provide:

• Criminal record certificate (for certain occupations or countries)
• TB test certificate (if required for your country of residence)
• Academic qualifications and Ecctis reference number (for non-UK degrees)
• ATAS certificate (for certain research jobs in sensitive subjects)
• Relationship evidence for dependants (e.g. marriage or birth certificates)
• Certificates of previous residence, if relevant

4. Applying from outside the UK

If you are applying from abroad:

• You must apply online through the UK Government’s visa application portal
• You must apply from your country of nationality or legal residence
• You will be required to pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) upfront
• You will need to book a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre

At the appointment, you will:

• Provide your fingerprints and photograph
• Submit biometric and supporting documentation (can be uploaded online in advance or at your appointment for an extra fee)
• Leave your passport for the entry clearance visa to be stamped

A decision is usually made within 3 weeks. Faster processing may be available depending on the country.

5. Applying from inside the UK

If you are switching to the Skilled Worker route or extending your current visa:

• Apply online and pay the visa fee and IHS
• Upload supporting documentation
• Book an appointment at a UKVCAS service point (standard appointments are free)

Some applicants may be eligible to verify their identity using the UK Immigration ID Check app instead of attending an appointment.

You will typically receive a decision within 8 weeks. Priority or super-priority processing may be available for an additional fee.

6. Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) delivery

If your visa application is successful:

• You will receive a decision letter or email
• Your BRP will be sent to a designated UK address or available for collection from a Post Office
• The BRP confirms your immigration status and is required for right to work and rent checks

Summary – Section C
Applying for a Skilled Worker visa involves securing sponsorship, gathering evidence, and submitting a compliant online application. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are applying from within or outside the UK, but in all cases, your employer’s sponsor status and the information on your Certificate of Sponsorship are central to a successful application.

Section D: Skilled Worker Visa Dependants, Settlement & Citizenship

The Skilled Worker route allows family members to accompany the main applicant, and provides a clear pathway to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and ultimately British citizenship, subject to eligibility.

1. Bringing dependants on a Skilled Worker visa

You may be able to bring dependants to the UK if you hold a Skilled Worker visa. A dependant is defined as:

• A spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (relationship must be durable and evidenced)
• A child under 18
• A child over 18 who is currently in the UK as your dependant

Each dependant must submit their own online application and pay the applicable visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). They must include your Unique Application Number (UAN) as part of their application.

You will also need to provide supporting evidence of your relationship, including:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Birth certificates for children
• Additional evidence of cohabitation and relationship (particularly for unmarried partners)

2. Financial maintenance for dependants

In addition to the £1,270 personal savings requirement for the main applicant (unless certified by the sponsor), dependants must show:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for the first child
• £200 for each additional child

These funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the application date, unless your sponsor is certifying maintenance for all applicants on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

3. Extending a Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years. If your current visa is due to expire and you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to extend your permission.

You must continue to be sponsored in an eligible role, meet the relevant salary threshold, and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. Your application must be submitted before your current visa expires.

4. Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years in the Skilled Worker route (or a combination of eligible routes, if permitted).

General ILR eligibility requirements for Skilled Workers include:

• 5 years’ continuous lawful residence in the UK
• Not having been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period
• No serious criminal convictions or breaches of immigration law
• Meeting the English language requirement at B1 level (if not already met)
• Passing the Life in the UK Test
• Being paid at or above the relevant salary threshold for your job code

If granted ILR, you can remain in the UK without time restriction and access public funds. However, your ILR may lapse if you leave the UK for more than 2 consecutive years.

5. Becoming a British citizen after ILR

Once you have held ILR for at least 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. To qualify, you must meet the standard naturalisation requirements:

• Be 18 or over
• Have held ILR for at least 12 months (unless applying as a spouse of a British citizen)
• Have lived in the UK lawfully for at least 5 years prior to the application
• Not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the last 5 years or 90 days in the last 12 months
• Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement (B1 CEFR)
• Be of good character (criminal, financial and immigration record assessed)
• Be physically present in the UK exactly 5 years before the Home Office receives your application

Benefits of British citizenship include:

• No immigration restrictions
• Full access to public funds and services
• Ability to apply for a British passport
• Right to vote and stand for public office
• Ability to pass British citizenship to eligible children born abroad

Summary – Section D
The Skilled Worker visa provides a stable immigration route for both individuals and their families. It allows access to long-term work in the UK, and—subject to meeting strict eligibility criteria—offers the opportunity to apply for ILR and ultimately British citizenship. Supporting documentation, financial readiness, and compliance with immigration conditions are all key to successful progression through each stage.

FAQs – Skilled Worker Visa

1. How long does it take to process a Skilled Worker visa?

If applying from outside the UK, most decisions are made within 3 weeks of attending a biometrics appointment. Applications made inside the UK typically take up to 8 weeks. Priority and super priority services may be available for faster decisions.

2. How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?

Fees vary depending on where you apply from and the length of stay. As of 2025:

• Application fee: £610 to £1,220 (inside UK); £704 to £1,408 (outside UK)
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per applicant
• Biometric enrolment (inside UK): typically free, but premium appointments cost extra

Fees are reduced for certain occupations (e.g. shortage list) and for EU nationals using the identity app.

3. Can I change my job or employer on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, but you must first apply to the Home Office to update your visa. You cannot start a new job with a different employer or in a different occupation code until your new application has been approved.

4. What happens if I lose my job while on a Skilled Worker visa?

If your employment ends, your sponsor is required to report this to the Home Office. You will typically be given 60 calendar days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK, unless your visa expires sooner.

5. Can I apply for ILR if my salary has been reduced?

To qualify for ILR, you must be paid at or above the relevant salary threshold for your occupation code at the time of application. If your salary drops below this, you may not qualify and should seek legal advice before applying.

6. Can I take a second job on a Skilled Worker visa?

You may work up to 20 hours per week in a second job if it is either in the same occupation code and skill level as your primary job, or is on the shortage occupation list. You must continue to meet all conditions of your primary visa.

7. Do I need to provide a TB certificate?

You must provide a valid tuberculosis test certificate if you are applying from a country listed on the Home Office’s TB testing requirements list and you have lived there for 6 months or more.

8. Is there a cooling-off period if I leave the UK and want to reapply?

No, there is no longer a mandatory cooling-off period for Skilled Worker applicants. You can reapply at any time, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

9. Can my children attend UK schools as dependants?

Yes. Dependant children are permitted to attend school in the UK. There is no requirement for separate school visas, but you will need to prove your relationship to the child and meet financial requirements for dependants.

10. What is the difference between ILR and British citizenship?

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) allows you to live in the UK permanently, but you are still a non-British national. Citizenship grants full British nationality, the right to a British passport, and no immigration restrictions, including travel.

Conclusion

The Skilled Worker visa provides a clear and structured immigration route for non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in eligible roles. While the application process can appear complex, success is achievable with proper preparation, compliant documentation, and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer.

From confirming your job is on the approved list, to meeting the salary, English language and financial maintenance thresholds, every requirement must be met and evidenced correctly. For employers, understanding sponsorship duties and staying compliant is key to avoiding enforcement risks.

For skilled workers, the route not only enables lawful work in the UK but opens the door to long-term settlement and eventual British citizenship—offering stability, opportunity and full access to life in the UK.

If your goal is to build your future in the UK, the Skilled Worker visa offers a pathway to do so legally and securely.

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