Skilled Worker Visa
for an eligible job with a licensed UK sponsor
Review the employer’s sponsor licence, eligible job, occupation code, Certificate of Sponsorship, salary, English-language requirement and immigration history before preparing a UK Skilled Worker visa application.
Job title, occupation code, salary, start date and answers in the form should remain consistent with the sponsor’s records.
Route Overview
How the Skilled Worker visa route works
with a licensed UK employer
The Skilled Worker visa route is for applicants who have an eligible sponsored job with a UK employer approved by the Home Office.
The employer assigns an electronic Certificate of Sponsorship after completing its sponsorship checks. The CoS reference and the employment details recorded by the sponsor should be reviewed before the visa form is submitted.
The application must also address the occupation code and salary, the applicant’s English-language position, maintenance where required, identity and immigration history, together with any additional specified document. For most new applications, English must be demonstrated to at least CEFR level B2 unless a permitted exception or transitional position applies.
Confirm that the employer holds the correct sponsor licence
Check every detail recorded on the CoS before applying
Prepare the evidence required for the role and applicant
Job title, occupation code, salary, hours, start date and personal details should agree with the CoS and supporting documents.
Route Snapshot
Core areas to establish
These areas provide an initial overview. The complete assessment depends on the employer, occupation code, salary, application location, immigration history and any additional requirements applying to the applicant.
01
Licensed employer
The UK employer must hold the appropriate sponsor licence and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the intended role.
02
Eligible job
The role and occupation code must be eligible under the current Skilled Worker rules and correspond to the work recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Medium-skilled occupations are subject to additional route restrictions.
03
Salary requirement
The standard salary requirement is usually the higher of £41,700 per year and the applicable going rate, although lower or transitional salary options can apply in specified circumstances.
04
English and maintenance
English-language evidence, maintenance and any additional supporting documents should be checked before submission.
Important Route Check
Skilled Worker visa or another work route?
The correct immigration route depends on the employer, role, occupation code, salary and the work the applicant will undertake in the UK.
Some eligible healthcare roles may fall within the Health and Care Worker route, while transfers or temporary assignments may use another sponsored work category. The route should be confirmed before an application is prepared.
Eligibility depends on the sponsoring employer, Certificate of Sponsorship, job and occupation code, salary, English-language position, immigration history and any additional requirement applying to the application.
01
Age and identity
Skilled Worker sponsors cannot sponsor a worker under 18 on this route. Identity, nationality and previous immigration records should remain consistent throughout the application.
Review passport and personal records
02
Employer and Certificate of Sponsorship
The employer must hold the appropriate sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship containing the role and employment details relied on in the visa application.
Check employer, role, occupation code and CoS details
03
Eligible job and occupation code
The occupation code must be eligible under the current Skilled Worker rules and accurately describe the work the applicant will perform. Higher-skilled jobs can qualify, while medium-skilled jobs are limited to specified current or transitional categories.
Confirm the role matches the selected occupation code
04
Salary and English-language position
The salary must meet the applicable rules. For most new Skilled Worker applications, English must be shown at CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening through an accepted method, while a transitional B1 position can apply to certain existing Skilled Workers. Maintenance and additional records may also be required.
Check the calculation and evidence before applying
Main Requirements
Skilled Worker visa requirements
to consider together
The application should connect the sponsoring employer, the role, occupation code, salary and the evidence relied on.
The precise documents and assessment depend on the CoS, job, salary basis, application location and individual circumstances.
01
Sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship
The applicant must be sponsored by a licensed UK employer, and the application should accurately reflect the employment information recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
ReviewEmployer, sponsor licence, role, dates and CoS details
02
Eligible job
The role must be eligible under the current Skilled Worker rules, and the selected occupation code should accurately reflect the duties and skill level of the sponsored employment. Medium-skilled roles are subject to additional eligibility restrictions.
ReviewJob duties, occupation code and eligibility status
03
Salary requirement
The sponsored salary will usually need to meet the higher of £41,700 per year and the applicable going rate. Lower, transitional or occupation-specific salary options can apply in defined circumstances, so the correct calculation should be checked against the CoS and working hours.
ReviewAnnual salary, hourly rate, hours and going rate
04
English and immigration position
The application should accurately address English-language evidence, identity, previous permissions, refusals and any switching, extension or job-change issue. Most new applicants must meet CEFR level B2 English, while a transitional B1 position can apply to certain existing Skilled Workers.
ReviewEnglish basis, passport, status and application history
Additional requirements can apply
Depending on the applicant and role, the application may also require maintenance evidence, tuberculosis testing, a criminal record certificate, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate or another specified document.
Supporting Evidence
Skilled Worker visa supporting evidence
for the sponsored work application
Documents should confirm the applicant’s identity, work sponsorship, job and salary information, English-language basis, maintenance where required and any additional requirement applying to the application.
Check consistency before submissionNames, employer details, job title, occupation code, salary, dates and personal information should agree across the CoS, form and evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The exact evidence depends on the sponsor, role and applicant. These groups provide a practical starting structure.
01Identity, status and CoS
Confirm who the applicant is, their immigration position and the work sponsorship relied on.
Current passport or accepted travel document
CoS reference and sponsor licence information
Relevant previous immigration records
02Job and employment information
Support the role, occupation code and employment information connected to the CoS.
Job title, occupation code and employment dates
Salary, weekly hours and employer information
Qualifications or professional registration where relevant
03English and maintenance evidence
The documents should correspond to the English-language and maintenance basis used in the application. Most new Skilled Worker applicants need to meet CEFR level B2 English unless a permitted exception or transitional rule applies.
Accepted English-language evidence where required
Bank or financial institution evidence where required
Employer certification of maintenance where applicable
04Additional specified documents
Check whether personal circumstances or the sponsored occupation create further document requirements.
Tuberculosis test certificate where applicable
Criminal record certificate for an affected occupation
ATAS certificate for an affected research role where required
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Documents not in English or Welsh may require an appropriate certified translation.
Application Process
Skilled Worker visa application process
from sponsorship review to decision
A structured process helps keep the CoS, application form, supporting evidence and information provided at later stages consistent.
Review the applicant’s age, proposed employment, sponsoring employer, current immigration position and whether the application should be made from inside or outside the UK.
02
Sponsorship
Check the CoS and organise the evidence
Review the employer, job, occupation code, salary and dates recorded on the CoS, then collect the identity, English, maintenance and additional documents required.
03
Online Submission
Complete the form and required payments
Use information that agrees with the CoS and supporting documents, review the declarations and complete the payments requested for the application.
04
Identity Stage
Provide identity information and documents
Follow the instructions issued after submission, including using the identity app or attending a biometric appointment and providing supporting evidence where required.
05
Decision
Review the outcome and visa conditions
Retain copies of the form, evidence and correspondence. When the decision is received, review the permission dates, sponsored work conditions and practical arrangements before travel or starting the role.
Follow the instructions issued for the individual application
Identity checks, evidence submission and any later request for information can depend on where and how the application is made.
Common Questions
Skilled Worker visa
frequently asked questions
These answers provide a general introduction. The correct position will depend on the employer, role, occupation code, salary, applicant’s immigration history and individual circumstances.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the employer, role, Certificate of Sponsorship, salary, current immigration status and intended application date.
A Skilled Worker visa application requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship assigned by a licensed employer. The CoS reference and the employment information recorded by the sponsor should be checked before the form is submitted.
Most new applicants must also meet the Skilled Worker English-language requirement at CEFR level B2, subject to the accepted evidence, exemptions and transitional rules.
The standard Skilled Worker salary is usually the higher of £41,700 per year and the going rate for the occupation code. Lower, transitional or occupation-specific salary options can apply in defined circumstances, so the current calculation should always be checked against the specific CoS and working hours. Review the current GOV.UK salary and job rules.
Some applicants can switch inside the UK, but certain immigration categories do not permit switching. The current permission, application timing and sponsored role should be reviewed before an application is started.
Changing employer, occupation code or certain job details may require a new Certificate of Sponsorship and an application to update the visa. Where an update is required, the new sponsored job should not be started until confirmation of the new permission has been received.
A partner or child may be able to apply as a dependant, but current restrictions apply to some care-worker and medium-skilled occupations, including rules linked to when the Skilled Worker first obtained permission in that type of job. Relationship and maintenance requirements also apply, and dependants complete separate applications. Check the current GOV.UK dependant rules.
The applicant should follow the identity, biometric and document instructions issued for the application. Any later request for information should be reviewed carefully and answered within the stated period.
Review Your Circumstances
Prepare your Skilled Worker visa application with
a clearer understanding of the sponsored work route
Provide a brief summary of the employer, role and CoS, occupation code, salary, English-language position, immigration history, additional document requirements and intended application process when sending your enquiry.
