What is a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a visa category designed specifically for employers who want to hire foreign skilled workers to work for them in the United Kingdom. It was introduced as part of an overhaul of the UK’s points-based immigration system and came into effect on 1st December 2020. This visa category replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) Visa. The visa covers most industries except for health and social care, which are covered under the Health and Care Worker Visa.

The Skilled Worker Visa aims to meet the needs of UK businesses by making it easier to employ highly skilled individuals to fill any skill shortages within the UK workforce. In doing so, it offers exceptional opportunities for individuals with job offers from UK businesses to come to the UK. Successful applicants can live and work in the UK for a specified period, usually up to five years (although further extensions are possible). After this time, the applicant should be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which allows them to reside in the UK without any further immigration controls.

Applicants must meet specific requirements to be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa. Our guide below examines all of these eligibility requirements and provides further details on the application process, fees and documents required. We hope this comprehensive guide addresses any general questions you may have. If you still have outstanding questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our corporate team.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

There are various components to a UK Skilled Worker Visa. To be eligible, each of these requirements needs to be addressed and satisfied for the visa to be granted:

• Points-Based System Requirement: The Skilled Worker Visa operates on a points-based system. Applicants must accumulate a minimum of 70 points to be eligible. Applicants must secure 50 mandatory points, based on sponsorship, job role, and English language proficiency, along with 20 tradeable points for criteria such as salary and additional attributes.
• Job Offer Requirement: Applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Sponsor License. The job offer must be at the required skill level, which generally means the job is classified at RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) Level 3 or above, equivalent to A-Levels. However, the UK Government has announced plans to increase the minimum requirement to RQF Level 6, comparable to a graduate-level job. All eligible roles are on the Skilled Worker Visa eligible occupations list.
• Skill and Salary Threshold: The job offer must meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds. Applicants must be offered a salary that meets or exceeds the higher of either the general salary threshold (currently £38,700 per year) or the specific salary threshold for their occupation.
• English Language Requirement: Applicants are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the English language. This can be done by passing an approved English language test, holding a degree taught in English, or by being a national of an English-speaking country.
• Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The employer must have a valid Sponsor License and must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the applicant. The CoS contains information about the job role and the individual and is required before commencing the visa application process.
• Maintenance Requirement: The applicant must be able to support themselves and any dependents upon arrival in the UK.

For each of these requirements, there are various intricacies and nuances that we will examine in further detail below.

Job Offer, Skill, and Salary Threshold Requirements

Not every job role will be suitable for a Skilled Worker Visa. For a role to be suitable, several different requirements need to be met:

• Genuine Job Offer: A genuine job offer needs to be made by a UK employer that holds a valid Sponsor License. The job offer must be for a genuine vacancy, and the position must be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
• Skill Level: The job must be at an RQF Level 3 or above skill level. This means it should generally require a qualification equivalent to A-levels or above.
• Salary Requirement: The job offer must meet the minimum salary threshold, except in a few circumstances. The salary offered to the applicant must either meet the general salary threshold, which is currently £38,700 per year, or the specific ‘going-rate’ salary requirement for the occupation – whichever is higher.

The occupations suitable for a Skilled Worker Visa are periodically reviewed. Furthermore, the UK government has announced plans to change the eligibility criteria for Skilled Workers in its recent immigration white paper. If you’re looking to apply, we’d suggest checking the government website for the latest information or contacting First Migration to discuss the specific circumstances of your application.

English Language Requirement

To meet the English language requirement for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

There are various ways to prove your knowledge of English:

• Secure English Language Test (SELT): You can take a SELT from an approved provider to demonstrate your English language skills. These tests are designed specifically for immigration purposes and assess your proficiency in English.
• Academic Qualifications: You may be exempt from taking an English language test if you have specific academic qualifications. These qualifications include a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English. However, it is important that these qualifications were obtained by studying at a UK school before age 18.
• English-Taught Degree: If you have a degree-level academic qualification taught in English, you may also meet the English language requirement. However, if you studied abroad, you must apply through ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD.
• Healthcare Professionals: For individuals working in specific healthcare professions, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, and veterinarians, the requirement to prove English language proficiency may be different. If you belong to one of these professions and have already passed an English Language assessment accepted by the relevant regulated professional body, you do not need to provide further evidence of your English language skills. However, if you are a veterinarian, there may be an additional requirement to demonstrate that you have passed an English Language assessment specifically with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Citizen of an English Speaking Country: You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of a majority English-speaking country. A full list is available on our English language knowledge centre guide.

The same B1 level of English will also be required for any subsequent application for Indefinite Leave to Remain after spending 5 years in the UK. It’s worth noting that the English language requirement for both work visas and settlement is expected to increase to the B2 level following the publication of the government’s immigration white paper.

Maintenance Requirement

To demonstrate your ability to support yourself in the UK, you must have a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account. This amount should have been available for a continuous period of at least 28 days. The 28th day must fall within 31 days before submitting your visa application online.

You must provide evidence of these funds through bank statements or other financial statements. The only time it is permissible not to show the maintenance funds is when:

• You have been residing in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
• Your employer is willing to cover your expenses of up to £1,270 for the first month in the UK.

It’s important to note that if your partner and children accompany you, then you must also demonstrate their financial ability to support themselves while in the UK.

The additional maintenance funds required for dependants are:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

If your employer can support your financial needs instead, it must be explicitly mentioned in your Certificate of Sponsorship. Your employer should complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section, located under ‘Additional data’ on your certificate.

Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship Requirement

The Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) requirements are important aspects of the UK Skilled Worker Visa application process. These requirements need to be undertaken directly by the employer.

Here’s an overview of these requirements:

• Sponsorship: To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a valid job offer from a UK employer with a valid Sponsor License issued by the Home Office.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once the UK employer has offered you a job, they will need to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is a unique reference number assigned to your job offer and contains information about the role, salary, and other relevant details. It serves as evidence that the employer has offered you a genuine position.

It’s important to note that the employer generates the CoS through the Sponsor Management System (SMS), the online platform UK employers use to manage their sponsor duties and responsibilities. The CoS is not to be confused with a physical or paper certificate. It is a digital reference number used in the visa application process. You must provide the CoS reference number when submitting your visa application.

Skilled Worker Visa Document Checklist

During the application process for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you will be required to provide the following documents and information:

• Certificate of Sponsorship Reference Number: Your employer will provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number, a unique identifier for your job offer.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency: You must provide evidence of your English language skills per the specified requirements.
• Valid Passport or Identity Document: You must submit a valid passport or another acceptable document verifying your nationality and identity.
• Job Title and Annual Salary: You need to provide details of your job title and the annual salary offered for the position.
• Job’s Occupation Code: Include the occupation code associated with your job, which helps identify the specific occupation under the Skilled Worker route.
• Employer’s Name and Sponsor License Number: Provide your employer’s name and sponsor license number, which can be found on your certificate of sponsorship.

Additionally, depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide other supporting documents and information, such as:

• Evidence of sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK (unless your Certificate of Sponsorship states that your employer will support you financially).
• Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they applied with you.
• Tuberculosis test results if you come from a country on the specified list.
• A criminal record certificate is required if your occupation falls within specific fields, such as education, healthcare, therapy, or social services.
• Valid ATAS certificate if your employer informs you that your job involves sensitive research at PhD level or higher.
• UK PhD certificate or unique Ecctis reference number (formerly known as unique UK NARIC reference number) if your qualification is obtained outside the UK (for non-UK PhD holders).

Certified translations will be required if your documents are not in English or Welsh.

Skilled Worker Visa Rights and Entitlements

The Skilled Worker Visa permits the holder to come to the UK to work for their specified employer. However, it also allows the holder to undertake various other activities within the UK. Specifically, Skilled Worker Visa holders can:

• Engage in eligible employment.
• Pursue studies.
• Bring their spouse and children as dependants if they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Take on additional employment in specific circumstances.
• Engage in voluntary work.
• Travel outside the UK and return.
• Apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after living in the UK for 5 years and meeting other eligibility criteria.

However, there are also certain restrictions on the visa:

• You are not eligible for most public funds or the State Pension.
• Changing jobs or employers requires updating your visa through the application process.

If your visa application is approved, you will receive a comprehensive list outlining all the activities you are permitted or prohibited from doing with a Skilled Worker Visa.

Skilled Worker Visa Cost and Application Fees

The fees applicable for a UK Skilled Worker Visa vary depending on whether you are applying from within the UK or from overseas. The same fees apply to any subsequent extension to your Skilled Worker Visa.

The table below shows the applicable fees:

In addition to the application fees, other fees may be payable:

• Certificate of Sponsorship Fee – The fee for a CoS is typically £525 and is payable when the certificate is generated.
• Immigration Skills Charge – Payable at the point the CoS is generated, the Immigration Skills Charge is £1,000 per year for a large business or £364 per year for a small business or charity.
• Biometric appointment fee – Most biometric appointments are free, but some can attract a fee if they are outside of standard hours or on weekends.
• Immigration Health Surcharge – All Skilled Worker Visa holders and any dependents are liable to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This costs £1,035 per year for each adult and £776 per year for each child under 18.
• Priority Applications – A fee of £500 and £1,000 is payable per applicant if you opt for the Priority or Super Priority application service.

It’s important to be clear who will be paying each of these fees, so you should always confirm with your prospective employer who will be paying each of these fees before commencing an application.