UK Skilled Worker Visa

Written by Mike Arnold Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Mike Arnold

Mike is a freelance writer with eight years of experience and a love for travel, all things business, tabletop games and green tea.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 15, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

If you wish to relocate to the UK and have the expertise and ambition to excel in a specialised field, the UK Skilled Worker Visa could be your pathway to a fulfilling career.

This visa isn't just a work permit; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in British culture, experience the country's rich history and diverse society, and potentially build a long-term future in the UK.

Whether you're a seasoned professional, a recent graduate, or a budding entrepreneur, the Skilled Worker Visa offers a flexible and accessible route to realising your professional aspirations in the UK.

 

What are the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa?

To be eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, formerly known as the Tier 2 (General) work visa, you must meet specific requirements related to your job, English language skills, and financial situation.

Your work

The core of the Skilled Worker Visa lies in securing a suitable job offer in the UK. To qualify, you need to:

• Work for an approved UK employer: Your employer must be on the Home Office's list of approved sponsors, which confirms their ability to meet the responsibilities of sponsoring you.
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer will check that you’re eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa and issue you a CoS, which is a unique reference number linked to your job offer and contains essential details about your employment.
• Eligible occupation: Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations, ensuring that it aligns with the UK's skills needs. You’ll need a code that coincides with your job to look this up - you can find your code here.
• Meet the minimum salary requirements: Generally the standard rate is around £38,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. There are exceptions for certain occupations, new entrants to the workforce, and individuals with PhDs in relevant fields - a full explanation of those rules can be found here.
• Clean criminal record: For certain occupations, such as those where you would be working with children or members of the public, you’ll be asked to provide a clean criminal record certificate.

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak English. This can be confirmed by:

• An approved English language test, taken at a minimum of CEFR B1 level in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The test will be facilitated by an approved provider.
• Holding an academic qualification in English.
• Being exempt from the requirement if you're a citizen of a listed majority English-speaking country or have passed an English language assessment approved by your profession's regulatory body.

Financial requirements

You must prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds.

• Minimum savings: You'll need to show you have at least £1,270 in your bank account, maintained for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.
• Exceptions: You may be exempt from this requirement if you've been in the UK for 12 months or if your sponsor agrees to cover your initial living costs.
• Dependents: If you're bringing family members, you'll need to show additional funds for their support. As of September 2024, you’ll need £285 for your partner and £315 for your child. For each additional child, you’ll need £200. The same rules apply here - this amount must have been in your account for 28 days before use.

What is the valid duration of the Skilled Worker Visa?

The UK Skilled Worker Visa offers a flexible duration of stay, allowing you to plan your career and life in the UK with confidence.

• Initial visa duration: Your Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years, depending on your employment contract's length and circumstances. You’ll need to apply to extend it if you change jobs.
• Extensions: As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like, allowing you to remain in the UK and continue working for your sponsor or a new employer if you change jobs.
• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): After living in the UK for five years on a Skilled Worker visa (or a combination of eligible visas), you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement. This grants you the right to live, work, and study in the UK permanently, without any time restrictions, and to access public funds and benefits if you're eligible.

How to apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

Applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa involves a multi-step process, primarily conducted online. The specific steps and requirements may vary slightly depending on whether you're applying from outside the UK or from within the UK.

General application process

1. Check your eligibility: Before you start the application, check the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet all the requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa.
2. Secure a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship: You’ll need to secure a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsorship licence. Your employer will then assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is a unique reference number linked to your job offer.
3. Prepare your documents: Gather all the necessary supporting documents, including your passport, CoS, proof of English language proficiency, evidence of sufficient funds, and any other relevant documents.
4. Complete the online application: Fill out the online application form on the UK government website, providing accurate and complete information about yourself, your employment, and your qualifications.
5. Pay the fees: Pay the visa application fee, the healthcare surcharge, and any other applicable fees online.
6. Book a biometric appointment (if required): Depending on your circumstances and location, you may need to book an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at a visa application centre. If not, you’ll be asked to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your ID.
7. Await a decision: The Home Office will process your application and notify you of their decision. You can expect a decision within 3 weeks if you're applying from outside the UK or 8 weeks if you're applying from within the UK.
8. Receive your visa: If your application is approved, you'll receive your visa and, if applicable, a sticker in your passport allowing you to travel to the UK.
9. Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): Upon arrival in the UK, collect your BRPfrom a designated post office within 10 days. The BRP is your physical proof of immigration permission. It contains your biometric information, so if you see any errors, make sure to report them within 10 days.

Some things to note

• Applying from within the UK: If you're already in the UK on another visa, you might be able to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa without leaving the country, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and your current visa allows for switching.
• Priority and Super-Priority services: If you need a faster decision on your visa application, you can opt for priority or super-priority services for an additional fee - you’ll be told if this is possible when you apply.
• Dependants: Your spouse, partner, and children may be eligible to join you in the UK as your dependants. They will need to apply for their own visas and meet specific requirements.

The self-employment visa application can be complex, but it's important that you ensure all your info and documents are correct. An immigration advisor could help you navigate the process and increase your chances of success.

What are the costs of the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

If you’re thinking about applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you'll need to cover some fees – not just for yourself but also for your partner and any kids coming along. It's a good idea to factor these costs into your budget early on.

Application fee

The visa application fee varies depending on whether you're applying from outside the UK or from within the UK and also on the length of your intended stay.

• Applying from outside the UK:
  • Up to 3 years: £719
  • More than 3 years: £1,420
• Applying from inside the UK (switching, updating, or extending):
  • Up to 3 years: £827
  • More than 3 years: £1,636

Discounted fees: Lower fees apply for certain occupations on the Immigration Salary List or Shortage Occupation List and for new entrants to the labour market. Check out the list here to see if this applies to you.

Healthcare surcharge

In addition to the application fee, you'll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for each year of your stay in the UK. This surcharge gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS).

The IHS rate varies depending on your circumstances, but it's currently £624 per year for most applicants.

What you can and can’t do

Once you’ve got your visa, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what being a Skilled Worker Visa holder in the UK actually means. Here’s what you can and can’t do with the visa.

What you can do

• Work in an eligible job: You can work in the specific job for which you have been sponsored and granted a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study: You can study while on a Skilled Worker Visa and further enhance your skills and qualifications.
• Bring your partner and children with you: If they're eligible, you can bring your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependant children to the UK as your dependants.
• Take on additional work: You can take on additional work in some circumstances, such as if the additional work is in the same occupation code and at the same skill level as your main job or if it's on the Shortage Occupation List.
• Do voluntary work: You're allowed to volunteer without any restrictions.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK: You can freely travel outside the UK and return as long as your visa remains valid.
• Apply to settle permanently in the UK: After five years of continuous residence on a Skilled Worker visa (or a combination of eligible visas), you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), granting you permanent residency in the UK.

What you can’t do

• Apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension: You are generally not eligible to access most public funds or the State Pension while on a Skilled Worker visa.
• Change jobs or employer: If you wish to change your job or employer, you have to apply to update your visa and obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship before starting the new job.
• Engage in any illegal activities: Any violation of the visa conditions can lead to serious consequences, including visa revocation and deportation.

Talk to a visa consultant

The UK Skilled Worker Visa provides a pathway to a fulfilling career and a rewarding life in the UK. However, navigating the visa application process, understanding the eligibility criteria, and ensuring compliance with UK immigration rules can be complex.

Your best bet may be to team up with a visa consultant who can help guide you through the nuances of the process, providing advice, streamlining the application process, and increasing your chances of a positive outcome.

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