Expat
TL;DR
The UK Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, a minimum salary of £38,700 per year (or the going rate for the occupation if higher) from April 2024, and the job must be in an eligible occupation code. Healthcare and education roles have different thresholds. The visa lasts up to five years and can lead to settlement after five years of eligible residence.
The UK Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 as part of the post-Brexit points-based immigration system. It allows employers to recruit eligible workers from outside the UK (and from inside for those already in the UK) in occupations classified at RQF level 3 or above - broadly equivalent to A-level standard qualifications. Applicants must be sponsored by a UK employer holding a Home Office sponsor licence.
Salary thresholds increased significantly from April 2024 following the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations. The general threshold rose from £26,200 to £38,700 per year. This guide covers the current requirements in detail, how to check whether a role qualifies, the application process and fees, and what the visa allows in terms of bringing family members and accessing public funds.
Key facts (2026)
- Minimum salary threshold from April 2024: £38,700 per year or the going rate for the specific occupation code, whichever is higher (Home Office Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker).
- Health and care worker roles: separate lower salary threshold applies, set at occupation-specific going rates from Annex B of the immigration rules (Home Office).
- Visa duration: up to 5 years; can be extended. After 5 years of continuous eligible residence in the UK, applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) (Home Office).
- Visa application fee (from outside the UK, up to 3 years): £719; for longer than 3 years: £1,420. Healthcare Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year per person (2025/26 rates).
- Skilled Worker visa holders are subject to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition, meaning they cannot access most means-tested benefits including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit (Home Office).
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must: have a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor employer; have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from that employer; be offered a salary meeting or exceeding the general threshold of £38,700 or the occupation-specific going rate, whichever is higher; and the job must be in an eligible occupation at RQF level 3 or above. The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for the role must appear on the Home Office's list of eligible occupation codes. Applicants must also demonstrate they have the required English language ability, typically through a SELT (Secure English Language Test) at B1 level or above, or by having a degree-level qualification taught in English from a recognised institution.
Salary thresholds in detail
The general minimum salary threshold from April 2024 is £38,700 per year. For each eligible occupation, the Home Office also sets a going rate, which is the median salary for that occupation as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee. The threshold that applies is whichever is higher: the general £38,700 or the occupation-specific going rate. Some shortage occupations and roles on the Immigration Salary List may benefit from reduced thresholds; check the current Home Office Skilled Worker guidance and Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules at gov.uk for the current list, as it is updated periodically. For health and care roles, a separate schedule applies with lower going rates reflecting NHS pay scales.
The sponsorship requirement
All Skilled Worker applicants must be sponsored by a UK employer that holds a valid Home Office Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Employers apply separately to the Home Office for a licence and must demonstrate they are a genuine, compliant employer. Once licensed, they can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each sponsored worker. The CoS is a unique reference number rather than a physical certificate and contains the details of the job offer, salary, and occupation code. Your application must include the CoS reference number. Applicants cannot self-sponsor or apply without an employer offering sponsorship; this distinguishes the Skilled Worker visa from some other visa routes.
Costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
The visa application fee depends on where you apply and the duration. As of 2026, for applications outside the UK: up to 3 years £719; over 3 years £1,420. For applications inside the UK to extend or switch to a Skilled Worker visa: up to 3 years £827; over 3 years £1,636 (fees are subject to annual Home Office updates, check gov.uk for current amounts). In addition, all applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year per person including dependants. For a 5-year visa with a partner and one child, the IHS alone amounts to over £15,000. Some healthcare workers' IHS is paid by their employer; check this with your employer at the job offer stage.
Rights on a Skilled Worker visa
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to: work for your sponsoring employer in the sponsored role; take on additional work in the same occupation and going rate; and study. Your family members (partner and children under 18) can apply for dependant visas, giving them the right to work and study in the UK without restriction. The visa is subject to No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), meaning you cannot access Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, or most other means-tested public funds. NHS treatment funded by the IHS is available; you do not pay for NHS care covered by the surcharge during the visa period. After 5 years of continuous eligible residence under a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but you must apply to update your visa if you change employer or role. The new employer must be a licensed sponsor and must issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Changing jobs without updating your visa sponsorship breaches the visa conditions. You can apply to switch while remaining in the UK; you can start the new role once your new CoS is assigned and your application submitted, in most cases.
Does the £38,700 salary threshold apply to part-time roles?
The threshold applies to the full-time equivalent salary, not the actual part-time salary. If a part-time role pays £22,000 but the full-time equivalent is £44,000 (for a 0.5 FTE role), the full-time equivalent meets the threshold. The Home Office calculates the full-time equivalent based on the hours in the CoS. Check the specific rules in Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules at gov.uk.
What happens if my employer loses their sponsor licence?
If your employer's sponsor licence is revoked, you will have 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor employer and apply for a new sponsored visa. If you cannot find a new sponsor within 60 days, your leave in the UK may be curtailed. The Home Office notifies sponsored workers when their employer's licence is revoked. Citizens Advice and immigration solicitors can provide guidance in this situation.
Can my spouse work if they come to the UK as my dependant?
Yes. Dependant visa holders (spouse, partner, children) have the right to work in the UK without restriction of occupation or hours. They can take any job, including self-employment, without needing their own sponsor. They are also subject to NRPF conditions unless they independently meet a qualifying benefit eligibility test.
How long before I can apply for settlement (ILR) on a Skilled Worker visa?
After 5 years of continuous eligible residence in the UK, including time on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The 5 years need not all be on the same visa route; time on a Tier 2 visa, Global Talent visa, or other eligible routes may count. You must meet the residency, salary, and English language requirements at the time of the ILR application.
How we verified this guide
All salary thresholds and eligibility rules verified against Home Office Appendix Skilled Worker (Immigration Rules), Home Office visa fee schedule, and Migration Advisory Committee recommendations as published in 2024 and current to May 2026. Fees and thresholds are subject to Home Office updates; verify at gov.uk before application.
Primary sources
- Gov.uk - Skilled Worker visa
- Home Office - Appendix Skilled Worker immigration rules
- Gov.uk - Immigration Health Surcharge
- Gov.uk - Indefinite Leave to Remain eligibility
Last reviewed: May 2026.