The UK Skilled Worker visa is one of the main routes for people who have a qualifying job offer from a UK employer. A job offer alone is not enough: your employer, role, salary, English ability and supporting evidence must all meet the rules in force when you apply.
For most new applicants, skilled worker visa eligibility starts with a licensed sponsor and an eligible job. Salary rules then apply alongside the occupation-specific going rate. Because the system has changed several times, check the current rules for your exact occupation code rather than relying on an old salary figure or outdated job list.
You need a job offer from an approved UK sponsor
Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence for the Skilled Worker route. If it is not licensed, it normally cannot sponsor you for this UK work visa unless it first obtains the appropriate licence.
The employer then assigns a certificate of sponsorship. This is an electronic record containing details such as your job title, salary, occupation code, employment dates and sponsor information. You use the certificate of sponsorship reference number when you apply.
Your job must be eligible for the Skilled Worker route
The occupation code attached to your role determines whether the job is eligible and which going rate applies. For most new applications, the job normally needs to be classed as higher skilled, broadly at RQF level 6 or above.
Some medium-skilled occupations can still qualify where they appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, while transitional arrangements can apply to certain people who were already in the route before the July 2025 changes.
A useful check is to compare the job’s actual duties with the official occupation description, not just the job title. Similar titles can fall under different occupation codes, and the wrong code can affect both eligibility and salary.
You must meet the salary requirement
For a standard new Skilled Worker application, you will usually need to be paid at least £41,700 per year or the full going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. A salary above £41,700 therefore does not automatically mean the role qualifies.
For example, if you are offered £43,000 but the going rate for the occupation is £46,000, the offer would normally fall short of the standard requirement.
Lower salary options can apply in specific cases, including some applicants with a relevant PhD, a relevant STEM PhD, new-entrant status, certain postdoctoral roles or a job on the Immigration Salary List. Some healthcare and education occupations follow different salary rules, and transitional provisions can apply to workers who entered the route under earlier rules.
You must meet the English language requirement
New Skilled Worker applicants generally need to show English ability at CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. This can be proved through an approved Secure English Language Test, certain UK qualifications, or an eligible overseas degree taught in English that is confirmed through the required assessment process.
If you held Skilled Worker permission before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it, transitional rules can apply, including a B1 requirement in relevant cases.
Financial and document requirements
You will usually need to show that you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. The current maintenance amount is normally £1,270, unless you are exempt. You may not need to provide this evidence if you have already been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months or your sponsor certifies that it will cover your initial maintenance costs.
Your application will normally require your passport or other identity document, certificate of sponsorship reference, evidence of English ability, job title and salary, occupation code, and your employer’s name and sponsor licence number. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need financial evidence, dependant relationship documents, a tuberculosis test certificate, a criminal record certificate for certain jobs, or other supporting evidence.
Switching, extending and changing employer
Some people can switch into the Skilled Worker route from inside the UK, but not every immigration category allows an in-country switch. If you already hold a Skilled Worker visa and move to a different employer, or change to a role with a different occupation code, you will normally need to update your visa before starting the new sponsored job.
Check the rules that apply to your existing permission before making a change. Transitional provisions can affect occupation eligibility, salary and English requirements, so a person who entered the route several years ago may face a different calculation from a first-time applicant in 2026.
Can the Skilled Worker visa lead to settlement?
The route can lead to skilled worker settlement. Under the current rules, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after a qualifying five-year continuous residence period and meeting the other settlement requirements. These include continuing eligible employment, satisfying the relevant salary rules and meeting the residence conditions in force when you apply.
If settlement is part of your plan, keep copies of sponsorship records, visa decisions, travel history and employment evidence from the beginning.
FAQ
What are the basic UK Skilled Worker visa requirements?
You generally need a qualifying job with a licensed sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, an eligible occupation code, the required salary, sufficient English ability and the necessary identity, financial and supporting documents.
Is £41,700 always enough for a Skilled Worker visa?
No. For many standard applications you must meet both the general salary threshold and the going rate for your occupation. If the going rate is higher than £41,700, the higher figure normally applies.
Do all Skilled Worker jobs need to be at graduate level?
Most new applications are based on occupations classed at RQF level 6 or above, but some medium-skilled roles remain eligible through specific lists or transitional arrangements. Check the current status of your occupation code.
How long does it take to qualify for Skilled Worker settlement?
Under the current rules, eligible applicants can potentially qualify for indefinite leave to remain after five years of qualifying continuous residence, provided they meet the settlement requirements in force when they apply.
Conclusion
The safest approach is to verify the sponsor, occupation code and salary before focusing on the application form itself. Those points determine much of the eligibility framework, while English, maintenance and documentary requirements complete the application. Because salary tables, occupation lists and transitional rules can change, check the current official guidance for your specific job immediately before applying.
