UK Skilled Worker Visa: Requirements, Process & 2026 Changes
The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary route to live and work in the UK for most overseas professionals. This guide covers eligibility, salary thresholds, the sponsorship process, fees, and what changed in April 2026 — updated and verified against GOV.UK.
April 2026 update: New salary compliance rules for sponsored workers came into force on 8 April 2026. Sponsors must now demonstrate salary thresholds are met in each individual pay period. Read our full guide to the April 2026 changes →
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 and is now the main route for overseas nationals who have a job offer from a UK employer. It is a points-based visa — applicants must score enough points across a set of mandatory and tradeable criteria to qualify.
Unlike some visa routes, the Skilled Worker Visa has no annual cap on numbers. Provided you meet all the requirements and your employer holds a valid sponsor licence, you can apply at any time of year. The visa can be granted for up to five years, after which you can apply to extend or — once you have five continuous years of lawful residence — apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
All eligibility criteria, salary thresholds and application steps on this page are verified against the official Skilled Worker Visa guidance on GOV.UK. Rules can change — always check GOV.UK before applying.
Who is eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa?
To qualify you must score 70 points. The first 50 are mandatory — no flexibility. The remaining 20 can be traded against each other.
Tradeable points (20 points needed)
If your salary falls below the general threshold, you may be able to trade points. For example, a PhD in a relevant subject earns 10 points and allows a lower salary. A job in a shortage occupation (on the Immigration Salary List) also allows a lower threshold.
| Tradeable criterion | Points | Salary allowable |
|---|---|---|
| Job on the Immigration Salary List | 20 | £33,400 or going rate × 80% |
| New entrant (under 26, recent graduate, switching) | 20 | £30,960 or going rate × 70% |
| PhD relevant to the job | 10 | £34,830 or going rate × 90% |
| PhD in STEM subject relevant to the job | 20 | £33,400 or going rate × 80% |
Always verify the current going rate for your specific occupation code on GOV.UK before applying.
Skilled Worker Visa salary requirements 2026
The general salary threshold is now £41,700 per year, or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. This is the figure that applies to most applicants. Discounted thresholds apply in specific circumstances.
| Applicant type | Minimum salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| General threshold | £41,700/year | Standard |
| Immigration Salary List role | £33,400/year | Reduced |
| New entrant rate | £30,960/year | Reduced |
| Health & Care Worker | NHS pay scales | Separate route |
From 8 April 2026, sponsors must show the salary threshold is met in each individual pay period, not just as an annual average. Variable pay, irregular hours, and commission-based structures need careful review. Full guide to the April 2026 changes →
What counts towards the salary threshold?
Only guaranteed basic salary counts. The following do not count toward the threshold: tips and gratuities, overtime (unless guaranteed), performance bonuses, commission, salary sacrifice arrangements, non-cash benefits such as accommodation or meals.
How to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
The application process involves both you and your employer. Your employer must act first — they hold the sponsor licence and issue the Certificate of Sponsorship. You cannot begin your visa application until you have a valid CoS reference number.
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1
Confirm your employer holds a sponsor licence
Check the GOV.UK register of licensed sponsors. If your employer is not listed, they must apply for a sponsor licence before proceeding — this takes 8 weeks or more.
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2
Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your employer assigns you a CoS through the Sponsorship Management System. It contains a unique reference number, your job details, salary, and start date. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of the CoS being issued.
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3
Check your points and gather documents
Use the GOV.UK points calculator to confirm you qualify. Documents typically needed: valid passport, CoS reference number, proof of English language, financial evidence (£1,270 in savings held for 28 days, unless your employer certifies maintenance).
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4
Complete the online application and pay fees
Apply online at GOV.UK. Pay the visa application fee (from £719 for up to 3 years) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year). Total upfront cost for a 5-year visa typically exceeds £5,000 including IHS.
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5
Attend biometrics appointment
Book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) if applying from abroad, or a UKVCAS service point if switching in-country. Provide fingerprints and a photograph. Upload supporting documents via the online portal.
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6
Receive your decision
Standard processing is 3–8 weeks from outside the UK. Priority service (additional fee) typically 5 working days. You will receive an eVisa — a digital record of your immigration status linked to your UKVI account. No physical vignette sticker is issued for most applications from 2025 onwards.
Skilled Worker Visa fees 2026
The total cost of a Skilled Worker Visa is significantly more than the headline application fee. The Immigration Health Surcharge, paid upfront for the full visa duration, is often the largest single cost — particularly for longer grants.
| Fee | Up to 3 years | 3–5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £719 | £1,420 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £3,105 | £5,175 |
| Priority service (optional) | +£500 | +£500 |
| Super Priority service (optional) | +£1,000 | +£1,000 |
IHS is calculated at £1,035 per adult per year. For a 5-year visa that is £5,175 per person — paid upfront. Dependants pay separately. Some employers cover all or part of these costs; worth negotiating before accepting a job offer.
If your role qualifies for the Health & Care Worker Visa, you pay a reduced application fee of £284 and are exempt from the IHS entirely. This can save over £5,000 on a 5-year visa. See the Health & Care Worker Visa guide →
Can I bring dependants on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes — most Skilled Worker Visa holders can bring eligible dependants to the UK. Each dependant must make a separate application, pay their own visa fee and IHS, and you must be able to demonstrate you can financially support them.
Who counts as a dependant?
- Your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (if you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years)
- Your children under 18
- Children over 18 who were previously granted permission as your dependant
From March 2024, care workers in SOC codes 6145 and 6146 (Care workers and Senior care workers) are generally unable to bring dependants unless employed directly by the NHS or certain other public sector bodies. This restriction does not apply to other Skilled Worker roles.
Dependants granted leave alongside a Skilled Worker Visa holder have the right to work freely in the UK — in any job, without restriction. They can also study. Their visa is linked to yours; if your visa is curtailed or you leave the UK, their permission may also be affected.
Path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
The Skilled Worker Visa leads to permanent settlement. After five continuous years of lawful residence in the UK on an eligible visa, you can apply for ILR — the right to live and work in the UK permanently without immigration conditions.
ILR eligibility requirements
- Five continuous years of lawful residence (on Skilled Worker or predecessor Tier 2 visa)
- No more than 180 days absence from the UK in any 12-month period during those five years
- Salary must still meet the threshold at time of ILR application
- Pass the Life in the UK Test
- English language requirement at B1 level (or B2 from March 2027 for settlement routes)
- No serious criminal record
A proposed extension of the qualifying period from 5 to 10 years was delayed. As of March 2026, the change is expected no earlier than Autumn 2026. See the latest on ILR qualifying period changes →
After ILR — British citizenship
Once you hold ILR, you can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after a further 12 months — giving a total of approximately 6 years from first arriving in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa to becoming a British citizen, provided you meet all conditions.
Skilled Worker Visa — common questions
The Skilled Worker Visa remains the most accessible professional work route to the UK, but the April 2024 salary changes and the April 2026 compliance update mean the goalposts have moved for both applicants and sponsors. Understanding which threshold applies to your specific role — and whether your employer’s payroll structure will pass the new per-period compliance check — is now as important as confirming your SOC code eligibility.
The costs, particularly the IHS, are substantial and are worth factoring into any salary negotiation before you sign. An employer who is unwilling to discuss visa fee contributions is also signalling something about how they value sponsored talent — useful information to have early.
This guide reflects published Home Office policy as of 15 April 2026. For complex situations — particularly around transitional arrangements or changing employer mid-visa — GOV.UK and an OISC-regulated immigration adviser are your most reliable resources.
Further reading on the Skilled Worker Visa
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change frequently — always verify current requirements on GOV.UK or consult a regulated immigration adviser (OISC-registered) before making an application. Last reviewed 15 April 2026.