In short
The Skilled Worker visa needs a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, and a job on the list of eligible occupations paid at least the higher of £41,700 a year or the occupation’s going rate, unless a listed exception applies. A visa can last up to 5 years and may lead to settlement.
Published 10 October 2026. Sources last checked 10 October 2026.
The basics
- You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply.
- Your employer must be an approved sponsor and must issue a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) with details of the role.
- You must apply within 3 months of receiving your CoS, and can apply up to 3 months before your start date.
- You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. The level and how to prove it are on GOV.UK’s knowledge of English page.
- You, your partner and children each pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge, and you must show you have enough personal savings.
The job and the salary
GOV.UK sorts occupation codes into higher skilled and medium skilled. Higher-skilled occupations qualify. Medium-skilled occupations qualify only if the job is on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list.
| Situation | Minimum |
|---|---|
| General threshold | The higher of £41,700 a year or the occupation’s going rate. |
| Reduced salary (not healthcare or education) | You may qualify at £33,400 a year under the “when you can be paid less” rules. |
| Healthcare and education | Different rules apply, based on national pay scales. |
| Prison officers extending or switching | At least the higher of £31,300 a year or the lower going rate, with CoS date limits. |
Time and settlement
GOV.UK says a visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend, and that you can extend as many times as you still meet the requirements. After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, subject to the settlement reforms under review. Decisions usually take 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
Questions to settle before applying
- Does the occupation code for the real duties of the job qualify, or only the job title?
- Which salary rule applies on the date your CoS was issued?
- Is the sponsor’s licence valid and is the CoS correctly assigned?
- How will a partner or children apply, and what will it cost?
Sources
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa: your job (opens in a new tab)
General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change; your circumstances need individual consideration.