UK Skilled Worker Visa

UK Skilled Worker Visa: Navigate the Path to Work in the UK

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is designed to allow foreign nationals to live and work in the UK for an approved employer. This “general” work visa encompasses a wide range of professions and job types.

If your occupation is not covered by any of the UK’s specialist work visas, it likely falls under the Skilled Worker Visa.

UK Skilled Worker visa holders can be accompanied by their family to the UK. You can discover more about the UK Dependant Visa here.

An Overview of the UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is an excellent opportunity for talented individuals around the globe seeking to work in the UK. Applicants need to have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor, be able to speak, read, write, and understand English, and have enough money to support themselves without relying on public funds.

Who is Considered a Skilled Worker in the UK?

In the UK, a skilled worker is someone working at RQF Level 3 or higher, equivalent to a UK A-level qualification. The job must also have a Standard Occupation Code (SOC) listed as eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa.

Eligibility Criteria for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

To qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria regarding income, English language skills, and their occupation. Workers can stay in the UK for up to 5 years on this visa, with the option to extend or apply for indefinite leave to remain if eligible.

Requirements for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

To be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa UK, you must:

You must receive a minimum annual salary of £38,700, or the amount as stated on the Occupational Code (OC code), whichever is higher. In some circumstances you can earn less if:

you work in some healthcare or education jobs;
your job is on the Immigration Skills List;
you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training;
you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job;
you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education.
You have a visa in the same category issued before 4 April 2024 and looking to extend or change sponsor.

The role you intend to undertake must be considered as at or above UK A Level (RQF 3)

You must meet the English language requirement of CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, or be from an ‘English speaking country’

You must obtain work sponsorship from an employer registered as a Home Office sponsor. Upon sponsorship, you will be issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), this is like an online UK work permit

You must have held £1,270 in savings for 28 days prior to the date of application, or an A-Rated Home Office sponsor may certify that they will provide this on the CoS. Further funds must be held for each dependant family member applying