UK Work Visas: every route explained
From the Skilled Worker Visa to the Global Talent route — plain-English guides to every UK work visa, who qualifies, what it costs, and how to apply. Updated for April 2026.
Work visas that require a job offer
These routes all require a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK-licensed employer. Your employer must appear on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors before you can apply.
The primary UK work route for overseas professionals. Requires a licensed sponsor, eligible occupation, and minimum salary of £38,700/year. Updated compliance rules apply from April 2026.
Employer sponsoredReduced fees, no Immigration Health Surcharge, fast-track processing. For doctors, nurses, and eligible social care roles with NHS or approved organisations.
Employer sponsoredFor employees of multinational companies transferring to a UK branch. Covers Senior or Specialist Workers, Graduate Trainees, UK Expansion Workers and more.
Work visas that don't require a job offer
These routes are for exceptional talent, entrepreneurs, and specific bilateral schemes. No employer sponsor needed — but each has its own endorsement or eligibility requirements.
For leaders and potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, and digital technology. Requires endorsement from a designated UK body. No job offer needed.
Business / endorsedFor entrepreneurs establishing an innovative, viable, and scalable UK business. Requires endorsement from an approved body. Leads to settlement after 3 years.
Endorsement basedFor recent graduates from top-ranked global universities. No job offer or sponsor needed. Work freely in the UK for 2 years (3 for PhD holders).
Bilateral schemeFor 18–30 year olds from eligible countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, NZ and others) to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. No job offer required.
Bilateral schemeUnder the UK-India Free Trade Agreement framework. For Indian nationals aged 18–30 with a degree. Balloted scheme — limited places available each year.
Find UK jobs with visa sponsorship
Browse thousands of live vacancies from licensed UK sponsors — healthcare, technology, engineering, finance and more.
UK work visa comparison 2026
Key differences across all main work routes at a glance.
| Visa Route | Job offer? | Min. salary | Leads to ILR? | Fee (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes | £38,700 | Yes — 5 yrs | £719 |
| Health & Care Worker | Yes | NHS pay scale | Yes — 5 yrs | £284 |
| Global Business Mobility | Yes | £45,800 | Some routes | £719 |
| Global Talent | No | None | Yes — 5 yrs | £716 |
| Innovator Founder | No | None | Yes — 3 yrs | £1,036 |
| High Potential Individual | No | None | No | £715 |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | No | None | No | £298 |
| India YPS | No | None | No | £298 |
2026 Salary thresholds & requirements
The salary you must earn depends on which threshold is highest — the general rate, your occupation going rate, or the new entrant rate if eligible.
| Threshold Type | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| General threshold | £38,700 | £19.60/hr | Most new Skilled Worker applicants |
| New entrant rate | £30,960 | £15.68/hr | Under 26, recent graduates, switching from Student visa |
| National Living Wage floor | £26,200 | £12.60/hr | Absolute minimum — highest threshold always applies |
| Health & Care Worker | £29,000 | Varies by role | NHS / registered care sector roles only |
| Shortage occupation roles | Going rate | Varies | Immigration Salary List — 20% discount removed Apr 2024 |
| PhD-level occupations | Going rate | Varies | SOC codes requiring doctorate-level qualifications |
Always verify against the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page before applying. The 20% Immigration Salary List discount was abolished in April 2024 and has not been reinstated.
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UK work visa FAQs
For most people with a job offer, the Skilled Worker Visa is the route. If you work in healthcare or social care, the Health & Care Worker Visa offers significantly lower fees and no IHS. If you're an exceptional researcher, artist, or tech leader, the Global Talent Visa gives more flexibility. If you've recently graduated from a top global university, the High Potential Individual Visa lets you come without a job offer.
Yes in most cases. Switching between work visa types from inside the UK is common — for example, moving from a Graduate Route visa to a Skilled Worker Visa when you find a sponsored job. You generally cannot switch from a Visitor Visa to a work visa without leaving the UK. Always check the switching rules for your specific current and target route before applying.
No. The Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Global Talent, and Innovator Founder visas all have a clear path to ILR. The High Potential Individual, Youth Mobility Scheme, and India YPS do not lead directly to ILR — but they can be stepping stones. Many HPI visa holders find a sponsored job and switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, which then leads to ILR after five years.
Most UK work visas allow eligible dependants — a spouse or partner and children under 18 — to apply separately and join you in the UK. Dependants generally have the right to work freely. The main exception is care workers under SOC codes 6145 and 6146, who face dependant restrictions since March 2024 unless employed directly by the NHS.
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a levy paid by your employer — not you — when they assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visa. The standard rate is £1,000 per year of sponsorship (£364 per year for small businesses and charities). It cannot legally be passed on to the worker. It does not apply to Global Talent, HPI, Youth Mobility, or Innovator Founder visas.
From April 2026, the general salary threshold is £38,700/year (£19.60/hr), or the going rate for your occupation code — whichever is higher. New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or those switching from a Student visa) qualify for a reduced rate of £30,960. The absolute floor across all routes is £26,200, in line with the National Living Wage.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change regularly — always verify on GOV.UK or consult a regulated immigration adviser before applying. Last reviewed March 2026.
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