What you can do
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Live and work in the UK for the duration your employer sponsors you
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Bring your dependants
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Study
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Switch to a different visa.
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Leave the UK and return without issue.
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Apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years on this route.
What you can't do
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Change employment without applying to update your visa
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Undertake supplementary employment unless in certain circumstances
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Receive public funds
Requirements
Valid Passport
Certificate of Sponsorship
You must have a valid passport to apply.
Your employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming key information including your name, job title, occupation code, annual salary and length of sponsorship.
Minimum Salary
The previous minimum salary threshold of £38,700 has now increased to £41,700. You must earn the minimum salary or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher.
English Language
Finances
Additional
You must prove your English language ability to at least CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
You must show sufficient funds to support yourself. The current requirements require you to have at least £1,270 in your account for at least 28 consecutive days before the date of application.
You may require a tuberculosis test depending on which country you are applying from. You could also be required to provide a criminal record certificate.
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July 2025 Changes
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The minimum salary threshold for applicants seeking a Skilled Worker visa on or after July 2025 has increased from £38,700 to £41,700. The 'going rate' minimum for each eligible job has also increased.
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Option A: Increase from £38,700 to £41,700 (most applicants)​
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Option B: Increase from £34,830 to £37,500 (applicants with relevant PhD)
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Option C: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400 (applicants with relevant STEM PhD)
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Option D: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400(Immigration Salary List jobs)
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Option E: Increase from £30,960 to £33,400 (applicable to 'new entrants')
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The minimum salary threshold for applicants who held a Skilled Worker visa or whose
Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned on or before 22 July 2025 has increased as follows:​-
Option F: Increase from £29,000 to £31,300​ (most applicants)
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Option G: Increase from £26,100 to £28,200 (applicants with relevant PhD)
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Option H: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (applicants with relevant STEM PhD)
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Option I: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (Immigration Salary List jobs)
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Option J: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (applicable to 'new entrants')
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Option K: Increase from £23,200 to £25,000 (health or education occupation)
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The application fee for a skilled worker visa from outside UK depends on the length of your employment as stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship:
Up to 3 years: £769
Over 3 years: £1,519
Term & Fees
You will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
If you are apply from within the UK:
Up to 3 years: £885
Over 3 years: £1,751
If your job is on the immigration salary list, the fee is currently £590 for up to 3 years and £1,160 for over 3 years.
Example
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An applicant coming to the UK for 3 years would have to pay £3,874 in total.
Processing
The processing time for skilled worker applications is approximately 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK and approximately 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK. You may be able to pay for a faster decision by purchasing an enhanced service.
Outcome
If your application for a skilled worker visa is successful, you will need to create a UKVI account to access the e-visa.
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If your application for a skilled worker visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. There is no right of appeal, but you may consider applying for an administrative review if you believe an incorrect decision has been made based on a casework error. An application for administrative review costs £80 and can be made online. It must be made within 28 days of the refusal (if you're outside the UK) or within 14 days (if you're inside the UK).
Next Step
If you want to remain in the UK beyond your skilled worker visa, you can apply to extend it with the same or different employer - you will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship to apply. Once you have completed five consecutive years on this route, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
