SKILLED WORKER VISA
The skilled worker visa allows you to enter or stay in the UK to work in an approved job for an employer who is officially sponsoring you for up to 5 years, after which you may be eligible to settle in the UK.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Live and work in the UK for the entire length of your visa
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Bring your dependants
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Study
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Work up to 20 hours a week in another job or for your own business, as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for
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Leave the UK and return without issue
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Apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years on this visa
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Change employment without applying to update your visa
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Work more than 20 hours a week in another job without applying to update your visa
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Receive public funds (benefits)
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
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You must have a passport which is valid at the time you apply.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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Your employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue you with the correct type of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming your details, occupation code, annual salary, working hours, and duration of sponsorship. Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
Minimum Salary
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Unless you are eligible to apply under a reduced rate, your annual salary must be at least £41,700 or the 'going rate' of your occupation code, whichever is higher.
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Example - Your occupation code's going rate is £32,500 but your salary must still be at least £41,700 per year.
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English Language
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You must prove your English language ability in the reading, writing, speaking, and listening categories at a minimum CEFR Level of B1.
Financial Requirements
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You must show sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants joining you in the UK.
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The current requirement is at least £1,270 in your account for at least 28 consecutive days with the last day being within 31 days of the date of application.
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If your dependants are joining you, you must show an additional £285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child.
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Example - You must show £1,870 if you are applying with your wife and child
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You will not have have to meet the financial requirement if:
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You have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months; or
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Your employer agrees to cover your costs for the first month, up to £1,270.
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Additional Requirements
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You may be required to take a tuberculosis test, depending on your country of application.
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You may be required to provide a criminal record certificate for certain occupations.
JULY 2025 CHANGES
Applications made on or after 22 July 2025
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The minimum salary threshold for anyone applying for their first Skilled Worker visa on or after 22 July 2025 has increased from £38,700 to £41,700. The 'going rate' minimum for each eligible job has also increased.
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Option A: Increase from £38,700 to £41,700 (most applicants)
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Option B: Increase from £34,830 to £37,500 (applicants with relevant PhD)
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Option C: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400 (applicants with relevant STEM PhD)
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Option D: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400 (Immigration Salary List jobs)
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Option E: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400 (applicable to 'new entrants')
Applications made on or before 03 April 2024
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The minimum salary threshold for applicants who held a Skilled Worker visa or whose Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned on or before 03 April 2024 has increased as follows:
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Option F: Increase from £29,000 to £31,300 (most applicants)
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Option G: Increase from £26,100 to £28,200 (applicants with relevant PhD)
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Option H: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (applicants with relevant STEM PhD)
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Option I: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (Immigration Salary List jobs)
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Option J: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (applicable to 'new entrants')
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Option K: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (health or education occupation)
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Transitional Arrangements
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The transitional arrangements (Options F, G, H, I, J, and K) will remain in place until 03 April 2030.
Immigration Salary List
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The list of eligible jobs previously on the Shortage Occupation List has been reduced and renamed the Immigration Salary List.
Temporary Shortage List
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A list of medium skilled jobs (below RQF Level 6) with standard rates for Certificates of Sponsorship issued on or after 04 April 2024 and lower rates for those issued before 04 April 2025.
Occupation Codes
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The occupation codes have changed from SOC 2010 to SOC 2020
The application fee for a skilled worker visa depends on where you are applying from and the length of your employment:
Outside the UK:
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Up to 3 years: £769
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Over 3 years: £1,519
If you are switching to the skilled worker visa from within the UK, or you already have a skilled worker visa and are applying to extend it, the fee will depend on how long you will be in the UK:
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Up to 3 years: £885
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Over 3 years: £1,751
If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, the fee is currently £590 (for up to 3 years) and £1,160 (for over 3 years).
You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
TERM AND FEES
PROCESSING
The processing time for Skilled Worker applications is approximately 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK and approximately 8 weeks for applications from within the UK.
You may be eligible to pay for a faster decision by purchasing the priority or super-priority service.
Successful Application
If your application for a Skilled Worker visa is successful, your immigration status will be updated on your UKVI account.
Application Refused
If your application for a Skilled Worker visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. There is no right of appeal, but you may consider applying for an administrative review if you believe an incorrect decision has been made based on a casework error.
An application for administrative review costs £80 and can be made online. It must be made within 28 days of the refusal (if you're outside the UK) or within 14 days (if you're inside the UK).
OUTCOME
NEXT STEP
If you want to remain in the UK beyond your Skilled Worker visa, you can extend your visa with the same or a different employer. You will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship before applying. You may also switch to another immigration route. Once you have completed 5 consecutive years on the Skilled Worker (or other eligible route), you can apply to settle in the UK.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Skilled Worker visas can be complex, particularly if your employer has issued a CoS containing an error, or you have other complicating factors such as a history of refusals. Mistakes can have a significant impact on future immigration applications to the Home Office, which means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout your Skilled Worker visa journey. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side on your immigration journey.
