UK Skilled Worker visa

People aged 18 or over with a confirmed offer of an eligible UK job, sponsorship from an approved employer and the required salary and English language ability.

• Be at least 18

  You must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have an approved employer and job offer

  You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office before you apply.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get a certificate of sponsorship

  Your employer must give you a certificate of sponsorship for the job. You must apply within 3 months of getting it.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have an eligible job

  A job listed as ‘higher skilled’ can qualify. A ‘medium skilled’ job can qualify if it is on the immigration salary list or temporary shortage list; the guidance also sets out conditions for prison officers and some existing visa holders.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the salary requirement

  The usual minimum is the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job. Different or lower requirements apply in the circumstances set out in the official guidance, including certain healthcare or education jobs, immigration salary list jobs, eligible new entrants and relevant PhD holders.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the English requirement

  You must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR level B2. The guidance lists ways to prove this and circumstances in which you do not need to provide proof or a different level applies when extending or updating a visa.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the points requirement

  You must receive all 50 mandatory points for sponsorship, an appropriately skilled job and English, plus 20 points under an applicable salary option.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have money to support yourself

  You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days; day 28 must be within 31 days of applying. You usually do not need to show savings if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your employer certifies that it can cover up to £1,270 of your first-month costs.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide proof of identity

  You must provide a valid passport or another document showing your identity and nationality.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide a TB certificate if requiredSometimes needed

  If the tuberculosis rules apply to your application from outside the UK, you must provide a valid medical certificate confirming screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that it is not present.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide a criminal record certificate if requiredSometimes needed

  You need a criminal record certificate when applying from outside the UK for certain jobs in education, healthcare, therapy or social services.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Provide ATAS approval if requiredSometimes needed

  You may need a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you it is required because the job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get scholarship provider consent if requiredSometimes needed

  If a government or international scholarship agency awarded you funding covering both UK study fees and living costs in the 12 months before you apply, you must provide its written consent to your application.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Application from outside the UK, up to 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£819 per person
• Application from outside the UK, more than 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,618 per person
• Application from inside the UK, up to 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£943 per person
• Application from inside the UK, more than 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,865 per person
• Application for a job on the immigration salary list, up to 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£628 per person
• Application for a job on the immigration salary list, more than 3 yearsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,235 per person
• Immigration health surcharge, usual annual rategov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£1,035 a year
• Immigration health surcharge for an applicant under 18gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£776 a year

1. Get ready

   • Check that your job is eligible

     Ask for the four-digit occupation code and check its eligibility and going rate.

     You’ll need: Job offer, Occupation code

   • Check your employer and salary

     Confirm that your employer is approved to sponsor you and that the offered salary meets the rule for your job and circumstances.

     You’ll need: Job offer, Annual salary, Employer’s sponsor licence number

   • Get your sponsorship reference

     Get the certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer and apply within 3 months of receiving the certificate.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number

   • Prepare your English and financial evidence

     Prepare acceptable proof of English and, unless an exemption applies, evidence of at least £1,270 held for the required period.

     You’ll need: Proof of English, Bank statements or employer-certified maintenance

   • Gather your documents

     Prepare your identity document and job details, plus any TB result, criminal record certificate, ATAS certificate or certified translation required in your circumstances.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document, Job title and salary, Occupation code, Employer’s sponsor licence number, Any required additional certificates or translations

2. Apply

   • Apply online

     Submit the appropriate online application; you can apply up to 3 months before the UK work start date on your certificate of sponsorship.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number, Supporting documents

   • Pay the application charges

     Pay the applicable visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.

3. Visa

   • Prove your identity

     Follow the application instructions to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and a photograph.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document

4. Travel

   • Wait for approval before travelling

     Wait for your decision email and do not travel to the UK before your visa application is approved.

     You’ll need: Visa decision email

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years in the UK if you meet the other requirements.

• Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Skilled Worker visa: Documents you'll need to apply - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
• Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker - Guidance - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Skilled Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.