Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa is a UK immigration route for skilled workers who want to work in the UK. To be eligible to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license. You must also meet the required skill level, English language proficiency, and salary threshold.

You can check if you qualify using our Skilled Worker Visa Calculator which allows you to search a list of qualifying occupations and view all the qualification criteria, including the ability to check if you have sufficient points

The requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa include a job offer from a UK employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), meeting the required skill level, English language proficiency, and salary threshold. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can support yourself in the UK and have no previous immigration or criminal convictions that would make you ineligible for the visa.

Try our Skilled Worker Visa Calculator.

Yes, you need to have a job offer from a UK employer before you can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa. The employer must have a valid sponsor license and issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You must also meet the required skill level, English language proficiency, and salary threshold.

You can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa online, and the application process involves several stages. You must first obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK employer, provide evidence of meeting the required skill level, English language proficiency, and salary threshold. You will also need to provide supporting documents, pay the application fee, and attend a biometric appointment.

More information is available on the gov.uk website on the process of applying for a skilled worker visa.

The decision time for a Skilled Worker Visa application can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of your case and the current demand for visas. There are 3 high level stages:

1. Employer applies for the CoS. Typically approved in 48 hours but can take up to 6 weeks if there are any complications.

2. Employer pays for the CoS and the Immigration Skills Charge and assigns the CoS.  This process only takes 10 minutes but there are often delays between the CoS being approved and the CoS being assigned.  The primary reason for this is the UKVI notification emails often are marked as spam. 

3. Candidate applies for their Skilled Worker Visa using the assigned CoS.  The advertised processing time for this is 3 weeks, however can take up to 8 weeks.

You can check the current  Skilled Worker Visa processing times on the UKVI website.

Note:  The processing times between June and September tend to increase due to the large number of Student Visa Applications which are processedat this time of year.

Generally speaking yes, you can bring your spouse, partner, and children under 18 with you on the Skilled Worker Visa. They will need to apply for a dependant visa, and you will need to provide evidence that you can support them financially during their stay in the UK.

The one exception is Care Workers whose partner / children cannot apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants unless you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa before 11 March 2024.

You can reside in the UK under a Skilled Worker Visa for a maximum of five years or for the duration of your employment contract, whichever is shorter. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you have the option to extend your visa before its expiration. Additionally, you may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Yes, you can extend your Skilled Worker Visa before it expires, provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. You will need to apply for an extension before your current visa expires and meet the necessary requirements.  Your sponsor is responsibile for applying for an extension.

Yes, after residing in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa for five years, you may indeed be eligible to apply for permanent residency, known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To apply for ILR, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria for settlement, which includes satisfying the English language requirement and successfully passing the Life in the UK Test. This is an important step towards securing your long-term residency status in the UK.

Yes, you may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker Visa from some other visa categories if you meet the eligibility requirements. However, the eligibility criteria and requirements for switching to the Skilled Worker Visa may vary depending on the type of visa you hold.