UK Skilled Worker Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
Since Brexit, the United Kingdom no longer grants free movement to EU citizens and now treats all work visa applicants the same way, through a points-based system. The Skilled Worker visa is today the main route for anyone who wants to work legally in the country.
How the points system works
To be approved, applicants need to score 70 points, split between mandatory and tradeable requirements:
- Job offer from a licensed sponsor (mandatory, 20 points).
- Role at the required skill level, RQF 3 or above (mandatory, 20 points).
- Required English level, usually B1 (mandatory, 10 points).
- Minimum salary: the remaining 20 points come from the salary offered, which must meet both the general minimum (updated annually) and the specific going rate for that occupation. Lower salaries may still be accepted for shortage occupations or for candidates with a relevant PhD.
Who can sponsor the visa
Only companies holding a Sponsor Licence issued by the Home Office can hire through this visa. It's the company that issues the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a document required to submit the application. Before accepting any UK job offer, it's worth checking whether the company appears on the official register of licensed sponsors published by the UK government.
Warning: no legitimate company will ask a candidate to pay for the sponsor licence or to "guarantee" a CoS. That kind of request is a sign of fraud.
Documents usually required
- Valid Certificate of Sponsorship, with its reference number.
- Valid passport.
- Proof of English proficiency (a recognized test or a degree taught in English).
- Proof of sufficient funds, unless exempt because the sponsor confirms they'll cover your first months.
- Criminal record certificate, required for certain professions such as healthcare and education.
Rights the visa grants
The Skilled Worker visa allows you to bring a spouse and dependent children, and time spent on it counts toward an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, usually after five continuous years in the country, subject to meeting absence and conduct requirements.
Alternatives worth considering
Anyone who doesn't fit the classic Skilled Worker profile can also look into the Health and Care Worker visa (for healthcare professionals, with reduced fees), the Global Talent visa (for recognized leaders in science, technology, arts, or academia, with no sponsor required), or the Graduate visa, for those who completed a degree in the UK.
Each route has its own timelines, costs, and requirements, and UK immigration rules change regularly. Before accepting a job offer or paying any fee, confirm the current requirements with one of the platform's [UK immigration specialists](/specialists).