What is a Skilled Worker visa?

For people who have a confirmed job offer in an eligible occupation with a Home Office-approved UK employer.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

It lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with a Home Office-approved employer. You need:

a confirmed job offer and a certificate of sponsorship
a job on the eligible occupations list, usually paying at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher
English at level B2 or higher (B1 if you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending it)

Decisions usually take 3 weeks from outside the UK, 8 weeks inside. The visa lasts up to 5 years, and you may then apply to settle. For your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.

Key facts

Approved employer needed
Usually £41,700 or the going rate
B2 English for new applicants

What the Skilled Worker visa is

The Skilled Worker visa lets you live in the UK to do a job with an employer the Home Office has approved (a licensed sponsor). Your employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship, which is a reference number you use in your application.

Who it is for

It is for people with a job offer in an eligible role. Your job must be listed as "higher skilled" on the eligible occupations list. A "medium skilled" job usually only qualifies if it is also on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list.

The salary threshold

You must usually be paid at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. Each job code has its own going rate.

Your situation	What you must be paid
Most jobs	£41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher
Under 26, recent graduate or in professional training	70% of the going rate, at least £33,400
PhD relevant to the job (STEM subject)	80% of the going rate, at least £33,400
PhD relevant to the job (non STEM)	90% of the going rate, at least £37,500
Postdoctoral science or higher education role	70% of the going rate, at least £33,400
Health or education job (national pay scales)	At least £25,000, or the going rate if higher

English language

New applicants must prove English at level B2. B2 means you can understand the main ideas of complex speech and text. This has applied since 8 January 2026. If you got your visa before then at level B1, you do not need to prove your English again when you extend.

How much it costs

Applying	Up to 3 years	Over 3 years
From outside the UK	£819	£1,618
From inside the UK (extend or switch)	£943	£1,865
Job on the immigration salary list (inside or outside the UK)	£628	£1,235

You also usually pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,035 a year. You may also need to show you have £1,270 in savings, held for 28 days in a row, unless you are exempt.

Example: a 5 year visa applied for from outside the UK costs £1,618 plus £5,175 health surcharge (5 x £1,035), which is £6,793 in total.

How to apply

Get your job offer and certificate of sponsorship.
Check the salary and English rules above.
Apply online and prove your identity.
Wait for a decision: usually 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside.

Things to know

The visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement).
If you change job or employer, you may need to update your visa.
Your partner and children may be able to join you.
The rules are the same across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or your employer's sponsor team.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

See full requirements

Common questions

Can I claim benefits?

No. You can't apply for most benefits or the State Pension.

Official sources

1.Skilled Worker visawww.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
2.Skilled Worker visa: your jobwww.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
3.Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of Englishwww.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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