Skilled Worker Visa


Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet the following requirements:



1. Job Offer from an Approved Sponsor:

You must have a valid job offer from a UK employer that appears on the Home Office’s Register of Licensed Sponsors for the Skilled Worker route and is authorised to sponsor overseas workers. Your employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for your specific role before you can submit your Skilled Worker Visa application.

Employers with a full A-rated sponsor licence are considered compliant with UKVI requirements and are able to assign new Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for overseas hires. If an employer’s licence has been downgraded to B-rating due to compliance concerns, they cannot issue new CoS until their rating is restored to A-rating by addressing the Home Office’s compliance requirements. It is advisable to check your prospective employer’s sponsor licence status on the official register before applying to avoid potential delays or refusals.

2. Skilled Job Role:

The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and assessed at the required skill level under UK immigration rules. For most new applications (with CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025), the role must be classified as RQF Level 6 or above on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher. This reflects the UK government’s focus on recruiting graduate-level skilled workers.

Some occupations at lower RQF levels may still be eligible if they appear on the Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List, but these are exceptions rather than the norm.

3. Salary Requirements:

For Skilled Worker Visa salary requirements, UK immigration rules use the Appendix Skilled Occupations and associated tables to determine the correct salary thresholds. Most applicants who meet the current standard salary rules will refer to Table 1, which requires a salary at least £41,700 per year or the “going rate” for the job’s SOC code, whichever is higher. The going rates are published by the Home Office and vary by occupation code.

However, depending on your individual circumstances — such as when your current Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued, whether you are a new entrant, a PhD holder, or your occupation is on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) — a different table such as Table 1a may apply for assessing eligibility. These tables adjust the minimum salary and going rate calculations based on your situation and the SOC code for your role. Your actual salary requirement must therefore be calculated using the appropriate table from Appendix Skilled Occupations, not just a single flat rate.

4. English Language Proficiency:

You must demonstrate your English language ability by showing that you can speak, read, write and understand English to the required standard for the Skilled Worker Visa. From 8 January 2026, first-time applicants for the Skilled Worker route must meet a B2 level of English under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This requirement replaces the previous B1 level and reflects an upper-intermediate standard of English. You can meet this requirement by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), holding an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised as equivalent to a UK degree, or by other recognised exemptions.


How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Pay the Visa Fee

The fee for a Skilled Worker Visa varies depending on your circumstances. The standard fee ranges from £769 to £1,751 depending on the job and the applicant’s circumstances (e.g., whether the job is on the shortage occupation list).

Visa Fees

The cost of the Skilled Worker Visa is as follows:

  • Visa Fee: £769 to £1751, depending on your circumstances.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa: If your job is in the NHS or care sector, you may be eligible for a lower fee.
  • Dependents: .Each dependant (spouse/partner or child) must submit their own application and pay a separate visa fee according to the same fee structure.


Speak to LNvisa

Every Skilled Worker Visa application is assessed on its own facts.

Details around sponsor licence status, job role eligibility, salary calculation tables, English language requirements and application timing can all significantly affect the outcome.

LNvisa works with individuals and employers to provide tailored immigration advice, taking into account employment history, sponsor compliance and long-term settlement objectives.

If you would like guidance on a Skilled Worker Visa application, extension or change of employment, our team would be pleased to assist.