Skilled Worker Visa
About this service
The Skilled Worker visa route spans many sectors and occupations and is considered the most accessible worker visa currently available.
To apply, you must be sponsored by a UK-based employer who can issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Applicants must provide this certificate, along with proof of identity and job details, as part of their application. Successful applicants can live and work in the UK, bring eligible dependants, and travel freely. If you change jobs or employers, you must apply to update your visa. This route can lead to settlement in the UK under indefinite leave to remain rules.
Minimum Salary Requirement:
As of July 2025, the minimum annual salary threshold for any Skilled Worker is £41,700 based on a 37.5-hour workweek, and your occupation confirmed by your sponsor may require an even higher minimum salary through its ‘going rate’, which must also be abided both on a yearly and hourly basis.
Permitted Occupations:
For the full list of eligible occupations and salary thresholds, visit the official Skilled Worker going rates guidance (updated 22 July 2025).
Permitted Activities:
A Skilled Worker in the UK may:
- Work in the role sponsored under their Certificate of Sponsorship
- Work in second jobs with specific limits, and not without permission.
- Study
- Travel abroad and re-enter the UK
- Undertake unpaid voluntary work for a registered charity, voluntary organisation, fundraising body, or public authority
Unpermitted Activities for Skilled Workers:
- They cannot apply for most public funds or State Pension
- They cannot change jobs or their employer unless they apply to update their visa
Skilled Worker visa applications are typically resolved within 8 weeks.
Fees:
For Skilled Workers who have been given a certificate of sponsorship for three years or less, the application fee is £590. For those who have been granted the same for over three years, the application fee per main applicant and dependant is £1,160.
In addition, each main applicant and dependant must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year, payable upfront at the time of application. This provides access to NHS services during your stay in the UK.
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