Sponsored employment in an eligible occupation, with the correct salary option, English evidence and Certificate of Sponsorship. Eligibility and dependant rules vary by occupation and prior permission.
Route overview
Skilled Worker visa
Typical timeline / duration: Up to five years before extension; job/employer changes may need an updated visa. Settlement after five qualifying years remains conditional.
Important notes
Obtain a genuine job offer and CoS from a licensed sponsor. Match the actual duties to the occupation code: higher-skilled occupations qualify, while medium-skilled occupations need a listed or other expressly permitted basis.
The usual annual salary test is the higher of £41,700 and the occupation's going rate. Lower-pay, health/education and transitional options have their own conditions; a shortage-list label is not a universal salary waiver.
From 8 January 2026, new applicants and people switching from another route normally need B2 English. Those who held Skilled Worker permission before that date and extend/update retain the stated B1 treatment. Apply the accepted qualification, Ecctis, SELT or other exemption rules.
Unless exempt, hold £1,270 for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before applying, or obtain valid sponsor maintenance certification. Prepare passport, CoS details, English/financial evidence, and applicable TB, police and other documents.
The 8 October 2026 fee schedule retains standard outside-UK fees of £819 for up to three years and £1,618 for more than three years. These rows show no October increase. The health surcharge, listed-job discounts and Health and Care rules are separate.
Medium-skilled occupation access and family eligibility are different tests. Dependant guidance has a pre-22 July 2025 continuous-employment cohort, separate care-worker rules tied to 11 March 2024, and specified child/other exceptions; not every sponsored worker can bring dependants.
UKVI's usual three-week outside-UK decision service starts after online filing, identity proof and documents. It does not include finding a sponsor or guarantee a decision in every case.
Work is linked to the sponsored employment. A new employer/job may require a visa update, and supplementary work has separate limits. Five years' residence alone does not complete the settlement salary, residence and other requirements.
Preparation checklist
Confirm the sponsor licence, actual duties, occupation code and CoS details.
Calculate the correct salary option and going rate for the contract hours.
Identify the applicable English level and obtain accepted proof.
Prepare maintenance evidence or sponsor certification and the personalised document list.
Check family eligibility and the current visa/health-surcharge costs separately.
Submit online, complete identity steps and retain the decision and work-condition records.