What are the Eligibility Requirements to Apply for a UK Work Visa?

Non-UK nationals who have a confirmed job offer from a UK Home Office-licensed sponsor are eligible to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa. The job must sit at RQF Level 6 (degree equivalent) or above, and the salary must meet at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation — whichever is higher. Applicants must also meet the B2 English language requirement from 8 January 2026, pass a TB test if applying from India, and meet character requirements.

The minimum general salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa is £41,700 per year as of 22 July 2025. Your salary must also meet the going rate for your specific occupation — whichever figure is higher applies. A reduced threshold of £33,400 per year is available for roles on the Immigration Salary List (ISL), new entrant applicants (under 26 or recent graduates), and PhD holders with a qualification relevant to the role. The ISL is due to expire by 31 December 2026.

RQF Level 6 is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in the UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework. From 22 July 2025, jobs must be at this level or above to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. You do not personally need to hold a degree — what matters is that the skills required for the role are equivalent to graduate level. Roles in IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and law typically meet RQF Level 6. Limited exceptions remain for roles on the Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List.

From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker visa applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR B2 level — equivalent to an IELTS for UKVI score of 5.5 in each component. This is an increase from the previous B1 requirement. Accepted tests include IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, Trinity College ISE II, and LanguageCert ESOL SELT. Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries, applicants with a degree taught in English, or those who previously held a visa requiring B1 English or above.

Yes, a confirmed job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence is a mandatory requirement. The employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) containing a unique reference number used in your visa application. Without a valid CoS, you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa. The UK Home Office maintains a public register of licensed sponsors — you can verify your employer's sponsor status before you begin the application process.

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital record, not a physical document, issued by your UK employer. It contains details of your job offer including your job title, salary, start date, and the employer's sponsor licence number. You must include your CoS reference number in your UK work visa application. Every Skilled Worker visa applicant requires a valid CoS issued by a Home Office-licensed sponsor. Your employer applies for and assigns the CoS — you cannot obtain one yourself.

Yes, Indian nationals can apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa provided they meet the standard eligibility requirements. These include a valid job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a role at RQF Level 6 or above, a salary of at least £41,700 per year, English at B2 level, and a TB test certificate from an approved clinic in India. Indian professionals are among the largest groups of Skilled Worker visa recipients. Y-Axis provides end-to-end UK work visa support for Indian applicants.

UK employers must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. They must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for the specific role, pay the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000–£1,320 per year), ensure the salary meets the minimum threshold of £41,700 or the going rate, maintain accurate employee records, and report changes to the Home Office. The vacancy must be genuine and meet the RQF Level 6 standard. The Home Office conducts compliance audits on licensed sponsors.

From 22 July 2025, approximately 180 occupations previously eligible at RQF Levels 3–5 lost Skilled Worker visa eligibility unless they appear on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or Temporary Shortage List (TSL). Care workers and senior care workers (SOC 6135 and 6136) are closed to new overseas applicants entirely. Roles at RQF Level 3–5 on the TSL face time-limited eligibility and workers in these roles cannot bring dependants. The ISL is set to expire by 31 December 2026.

Standard processing for a UK Skilled Worker visa typically takes 3–8 weeks from the date of application. A priority service is available for 5 working days at an additional fee. Applicants from India must also complete a TB test before applying, which adds one to two weeks to the timeline. Overall, from securing a job offer to arriving in the UK, most Indian applicants should plan for a total preparation period of two to four months. Y-Axis can assist at every stage.