The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people with a UK job offer from an approved sponsor. Whether a particular job qualifies turns on its occupation code, salary and the sponsor’s licence.
Our detailed guide sets out the requirements GOV.UK lists, with the salary rules and the date they were checked.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- You need a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor, who must issue a certificate of sponsorship.
- The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and meet the salary rules.
- You must be able to show knowledge of English and, in most cases, personal savings.
- A visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend, and you can extend as many times as you still qualify.
- Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants.
- After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, subject to the settlement rules in force when you apply.
- Changing employer or the role generally means updating your permission. Do not assume you can move freely.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether the occupation code for the real duties of the job qualifies, not just the job title.
- Which salary rule applies on the date the certificate of sponsorship was issued.
- Whether the sponsor’s licence is valid and the certificate correctly assigned.
- How a partner or children will apply and when their permission ends.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.