The UK Skilled Worker Visa, available to individuals from all countries except Britain and Ireland, enables those with an eligible skilled job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor to work in the UK. This visa also provides a pathway to settle in the UK and allows dependents to join the applicant.
To obtain a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a job offer from a Home Office-licensed employer, who will sponsor you to perform a specific job meeting certain skill and salary criteria. Employers can find guidance on applying for a Skilled Worker sponsor license in separate materials.
There is no limit to the number of individuals who can enter the UK under this route.
Eligibility Criteria for a UK Skilled Worker Visa
To be eligible for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet the requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration, which include:
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You must be 18 years or older
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Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job offered
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The job must be a genuine vacancy
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Your sponsor must have paid the required Immigration Skills Charge
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The job must be at an appropriate skill level
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You must be proficient in the English language at a minimum level of CEFR B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0)
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The offered salary must meet the general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation
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You must have sufficient funds to support yourself without relying on public funds
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You may need to provide a criminal record certificate
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You may need to provide a valid TB certificate (if required)
The requirements for a UK Skilled Worker Visa may vary depending on your circumstances. It's recommended to speak with an immigration lawyer for specific advice.
Do Sponsors need to complete a Resident Labour Market Test?
Under the UK Skilled Worker Visa route, employers sponsoring skilled workers are not required to perform a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT), unlike the previous route. However, they must still demonstrate that they are looking to fill a real job opening and be able to provide evidence of how the migrant worker was recruited if this is requested by UKVI
Switching into the UK Skilled Worker Visa Route
If you have permission to stay in the UK through another immigration category, you can apply to switch to the UK Skilled Worker route to extend your stay. However, this is not possible if you have been previously granted permission as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or under circumstances not specified by immigration rules.
Is there a cooling-off period in the UK Skilled Worker route?
Under the previous Tier 2 (General) visa, applicants for entry clearance or switching visas had to have been outside the UK for the past 12 months. This 12-month "cooling off period" has been eliminated for the UK Skilled Worker route, allowing applicants to apply for the visa at any time without restrictions.
Duration of a UK Skilled Worker Visa
If your UK Skilled Worker Visa application is accepted, you will be allowed to enter or remain in the UK for a period ending 14 days after the expiration of your Certificate of Sponsorship. This certificate can be valid for up to 5 years from the start date.
Is there a maximum time in the UK Skilled Worker route?
Previously, under the Tier 2 (General) visa, applicants for entry clearance or switching visas were limited to a maximum stay of six years. However, this six-year limit has been lifted for the UK Skilled Worker route, allowing applicants to stay for an indefinite period without restrictions.
Conditions of Stay as a UK Skilled Worker
UK Skilled Worker Visa holders are allowed to work in their sponsored job and take on additional employment as long as they continue in their sponsored job. Studying is also permitted, but an ATAS Certificate may be required. Receiving public funds is not allowed.
Settlement as a UK Skilled Worker
In order to qualify for Settlement as a UK Skilled Worker, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration based on the below:
- You have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK
- The 5-year continuous period consisted of time with permission on any of, or any combination of, the following routes: Skilled Worker, Global talent, Innovator, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business , Tier 1 Migrant (other than as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant) or Scale-up;
- You have not been outside for more than 180 days during each year of the 5- year continuous period;
- You have passed the Life in the UK test (unless aged 65 or over);
- Your sponsor is still a Home Office approved sponsor;
- Your sponsor still requires you to work for them for the foreseeable future;
- You are being, and will be paid for the foreseeable future, at least the general salary threshold or the going rate requirement, whichever is higher.
ILR Salary Threshold Requirement
For most applicants, your salary must be at least £25,600 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the occupation (as set out in the relevant occupation code), whichever is higher.
However, the following applicants need only demonstrate that they receive a salary of at least £20,480 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the occupation, whichever is higher:
- If you were sponsored in your most recent application for a job in a shortage occupation or a specified health or education occupation code; or
- If your 5-year qualifying period for settlement includes time as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant during which you were sponsored for a job in one of the following occupation codes: • 2111 Chemical scientists • 2112 Biological scientists and biochemists • 2113 Physical scientists • 2114 Social and humanities scientists • 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified • 2150 Research and development managers • 2311 Higher education teaching professionals.
Other salary reductions permitted through tradable points do not apply to settlement applications.
Dependants of UK Skilled Workers
UK Skilled Workers may be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and/or or a dependent child under the age of 18.