The Skilled Worker visa enables individuals to come to, or remain in, the UK to undertake eligible employment with an approved employer.
This route has replaced the former Tier 2 (General) work visa and also permits employment in UK territorial waters.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Employment
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must:

• Be employed by a UK-based organisation approved by the Home Office.

• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their employer, detailing the offered role in the UK.

• Be employed in an occupation listed as eligible under current immigration rules.

• Meet the minimum salary threshold applicable to their role, which varies depending on the nature of the work and the date the CoS was issued.

2. Knowledge of English
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English. In most cases, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as part of your application.

3. Income Requirement

When You Can Be Paid Less
You may still qualify for a Skilled Worker visa if your role is eligible but your salary is below the standard threshold of £41,700 or your occupation’s standard “going rate.”

You may receive between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your occupation if your salary is at least £33,400 per year and you meet one of the following conditions:

• You are under 26 years old, currently studying, a recent graduate, or undertaking professional training.

• You hold a PhD-level qualification in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) that is directly relevant to your job. (If your PhD is in another subject relevant to your job, your salary must be at least £37,500.)

• You are employed in a postdoctoral position in science or higher education.

Jobs on the Immigration Salary List
The Immigration Salary List outlines specific skilled occupations that have lower salary thresholds and reduced visa application fees.

If your role is included on this list, you must receive an annual salary of at least £33,400, while still meeting the standard ‘going rate’ for your occupation. You can verify the applicable rate for your role in the Going Rates Table.

Refer to the official Immigration Salary List to confirm whether your job is included, the applicable salary requirement, and whether it applies UK-wide or only to certain regions (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland).

Processing Time
You may submit your Skilled Worker visa application up to 3 months prior to your intended start date in the UK, as specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

As part of the application process, you will be required to prove your identity and provide the necessary supporting documents. Additional time may be needed if you are required to attend an appointment, which will be confirmed once you begin your application.

Decision Timeframes
After submitting your online application, proving your identity, and providing your documents, you will typically receive a decision within:

• 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK

• 8 weeks if applying from within the UK

In some cases, you may have the option to pay for an expedited decision. This will be confirmed during your application process.

If your application is approved, you will receive an official decision email detailing your immigration status and the next steps you must take.