Business Immigration
The main UK work visa for sponsored overseas workers. It covers a wide range of skilled occupations across technology, finance, engineering, healthcare, education and many other sectors. We advise both employers assigning Certificates of Sponsorship and individuals applying for leave.
The Skilled Worker visa operates under the UK points-based system. Points come from a job offer with a licensed sponsor, an eligible occupation, English language ability and salary, with certain points tradeable under specific options. The Immigration Rules for this route change regularly, so eligibility, salary and English language must always be assessed against the rules in force on the date of application. There is no annual cap on Skilled Worker visas.
Each requirement below must be considered on its own facts, applying the Immigration Rules in force when the application is made.
You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence covering the Skilled Worker route. The employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you apply. Without a CoS reference number, an application cannot be submitted.
The role must be eligible under the Skilled Worker rules in force at the date of application. An occupation appearing in an occupation table is not, by itself, enough. For occupations below graduate skill level, eligibility can depend on the Immigration Salary List, the Temporary Shortage List, the specific provision for prison officers, or transitional protection where a worker's first Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned before 22 July 2025. We assess the correct occupation code and the basis of eligibility before a CoS is assigned.
The salary must normally be at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds and reduced percentages of the going rate are available only under specific tradeable-points options — for example certain new entrants, PhD-level and STEM PhD roles, postdoctoral positions, and Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List cases. Each option carries its own threshold, so salary must be assessed against the correct option and the applicable going rate rather than a single headline figure.
For a first Skilled Worker application made on or after 8 January 2026, English language ability must generally be shown at B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference. Where a person already held Skilled Worker permission before 8 January 2026 and is extending or changing employment in qualifying circumstances, the previous B1 standard may continue to apply. The requirement can be met by an approved Secure English Language Test, a qualifying degree taught in English, certain UK school qualifications, or nationality of a majority English-speaking country.
Unless the sponsor is A-rated and certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship, the applicant must show they have held at least £1,270 for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of application. Current amounts and the accepted forms of evidence are set out on GOV.UK.
An application can be refused under the general grounds for refusal — for example because of certain criminal convictions, previous immigration breaches or deception. Separately, the sponsor must be able to show the vacancy is genuine, that the role is properly described, and that it can meet its ongoing sponsor duties, including reporting through the Sponsor Management System.
The higher of the applicable threshold and the going rate for the occupation code always applies.
| Position | Salary requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard requirement | At least £41,700 per year, or the going rate for the occupation code — whichever is higher |
| Tradeable-points options (for example certain new entrants, PhD-level or STEM PhD roles, postdoctoral positions) | A lower threshold and a reduced percentage of the going rate may apply; the figure depends on the specific option relied upon |
| Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List cases | Separate salary rules apply and eligibility depends on the list in force at the date of application |
| Health and Care Worker roles on national pay scales | Salary assessed against the relevant national pay scale for the role |
Going rates are set per occupation code in the Immigration Rules and change from time to time. Current thresholds, going rates and tradeable-points options are published on GOV.UK. We check the correct option and going rate for every role before a Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.
The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route for qualified doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and eligible care roles. It carries cost advantages, including reduced application fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Current fees, surcharge rates and the list of eligible roles are published on GOV.UK, and eligibility for care roles has been narrowed in recent rule changes.
The sponsoring employer must be the NHS, an NHS-commissioned service, or a CQC-registered adult social care provider. Salary requirements are aligned to NHS Agenda for Change pay bands rather than the standard Skilled Worker thresholds. We advise on band alignment, eligible job codes and the application process for both the employer and the worker.
Permission is normally granted for up to five years at a time and can be extended while the worker remains in qualifying sponsored employment. There is no limit on the number of extensions.
Many Skilled Workers can be joined by a partner and children, but this is not automatic. Dependant eligibility is restricted for some occupations — including care workers and senior care workers, and certain medium-skilled and shortage-list cases — with transitional exceptions for some existing workers. Current rules are set out on GOV.UK and we can assess your position.
A Skilled Worker may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing the relevant five-year qualifying period, subject to the settlement requirements in force at the time, including residence, absence, salary and knowledge of language and life requirements.
We advise both the sponsoring employer and the visa applicant — covering every stage from occupation code assessment to ILR.
We check the correct SOC code for the role, confirm the going rate applies, and manage the CoS request through the Sponsor Management System. Getting these steps right at the start avoids refusals and avoids re-assigning a new CoS.
Where an employer is sponsoring multiple workers or needs to plan ahead, we advise on undefined CoS allocation, defined CoS timing for overseas applicants, and how to structure employment terms to meet the thresholds.
Before you apply, we assess your eligibility in full — occupation code, salary, English language evidence, and maintenance funds — so you know where you stand before committing to an application fee.
We prepare your full application, review all supporting documents, and submit on your behalf or guide you through the process. We advise on priority processing where timelines are tight.
Your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants on your Skilled Worker visa. We manage dependant applications alongside the main application and advise on any additional requirements.
After five years of continuous residence on the Skilled Worker route, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. We advise on absences, salary continuity, and Life in the UK test requirements ahead of an ILR application.
| Application | Professional fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker application — outside the UK | £2,500 |
| Skilled Worker application — inside the UK | £2,250 |
Professional fees only. Home Office application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, Immigration Skills Charge, CoS assignment fee, priority or super priority services, English tests, ECCTIS, translations or certification, and dependant applications are excluded unless expressly included.
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Whether you are an employer assigning a CoS or an individual preparing your application, we can advise on your specific circumstances.
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