United Kingdom · Work

Skilled Worker visa

Skilled Worker visa is issued by UK Visas and Immigration. VisaAI tracks 23 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on UK Visas and Immigration’s own page before you apply.

Conditions you must meet

  • Have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home OfficeApproved employers are called sponsors. If your employer is not approved they can apply for a sponsor licence: GOV.UK states that costs the employer GBP 611 for small businesses and charities or GBP 1,682 for medium and large organisations, and takes around 8 weeks. That fee is the employer's, not the applicant's, so it is not listed as a fee here.
  • Have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employerThe certificate of sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It carries a reference number you need for the visa application.
  • Do a job that is on the list of eligible occupationsEligibility runs off a 4-digit occupation code. GOV.UK states a 'higher skilled' code qualifies outright; a 'medium skilled' code qualifies only if the job is on the immigration salary list, on the temporary shortage list, or is a prison officer (code 3314) extending or switching. Those lists are not registered sources, so VisaAI cannot yet resolve a specific code.
  • Be paid at least the minimum salary for the type of work you will doGOV.UK states GBP 41,700 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds exist in stated cases: GBP 33,400 where you do not meet the usual requirement and do not work in healthcare or education, and GBP 31,300 for a prison officer extending or switching. The going-rate table is not a registered source.
  • Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
  • Have at least GBP 1,270 available to support yourself in the UKGOV.UK requires the money to have been available for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of applying. You do not usually need to show it if you have been in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months, or if your employer certifies on the certificate of sponsorship that it will cover your costs during your first month, up to GBP 1,270.
  • Apply within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship
  • Care and senior care roles in England: employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission

Documents you must provide

  • Your certificate of sponsorship reference number
  • Proof of your knowledge of English
  • Valid passport or other document showing your identity and nationality
  • Your job title, annual salary, occupation code, and your employer's name and sponsor licence numberGOV.UK states the sponsor licence number is on your certificate of sponsorship, and to ask your employer for a copy if you do not have one.
  • Evidence of your personal savings, for example bank statementsGOV.UK exempts you if your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.
  • Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they are applying with you
  • Tuberculosis test results if you are from a listed countryThe list of countries is a separate GOV.UK service and is not a registered source, so VisaAI cannot yet say whether your nationality is on it.
  • Criminal record certificate, for certain jobs when applying from outside the UKGOV.UK names education, healthcare, therapy and social services roles. If you have lived in more than one country you may need a certificate from each: under 28, from any country you stayed in for 12 months or more since turning 18; 28 or over, from any country you stayed in over the last 10 years.
  • Valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one
  • UK PhD certificate, or your Ecctis reference number for a qualification from outside the UK
  • Certified translation of any document not in English or Welsh

Steps in the process

  • Apply online for the Skilled Worker visaThe UK publishes no application form number for this route — the application exists only as an online service. GOV.UK states you can save the form and complete it later, and that you can apply up to 3 months before the start date listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
  • Prove your identity, by app or at a visa application centreGOV.UK states you will either use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document (creating or signing into a UKVI account), or have your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre. You are told which when you apply. If you need an appointment you must take your passport, and the centre may be in another country.

Government fees

  • Skilled Worker visa application feeGOV.UK states the standard fee ranges from GBP 819 to GBP 1,865 depending on circumstances. From outside the UK: GBP 819 per person for up to 3 years, GBP 1,618 per person for more than 3 years. From inside the UK to extend, switch or update: GBP 943 for up to 3 years, GBP 1,865 for more than 3 years. If the job is on the immigration salary list the fee is GBP 628 for up to 3 years or GBP 1,235 for more than 3 years, the same inside or outside the UK. A partner or child joining you pays the fee for the same length of time as you.
  • Immigration healthcare surchargeGOV.UK states this is usually GBP 1,035 per year of your stay, and is payable by you and by each partner or child applying.

Official sources

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