The UK Skilled Worker visa is issued to individuals who have a job offer from a registered UK employer in one of the eligible job roles. The UK Skilled Worker visa, once issued, is valid for a maximum of 5 years and offers a pathway to permanent residency in the UK. Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for a UK skilled worker visa:

• Have a job offer from a licensed UK employer.
• The job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
• Must have a skill level of at least RQF level 3
• Score B1 level of English language proficiency (English language requirements will change to B2 level starting January 2026)
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer in the UK.
• Meet the minimum salary requirements (at least £38,700 or the “going-rate”)
• Have funds worth £1,270 for a minimum of 28 days before submitting your application.

To apply for a UK Skilled worker visa from outside the UK, you must get a job offer from a licensed UK employer, get a CoS, and then apply online. You can follow the steps below to apply for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK:

1. Get a job offer from an employer in the UK
2. Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
3. Arrange the documents required for the visa
4. Submit your application online
5. Schedule a visa interview at the nearest UK embassy
6. Attend the visa interview, submit your biometrics, and pay the fees
7. Await the decision

The main requirements for a UK Skilled worker visa are:

• A valid job offer from a verified UK employer
• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer in the UK
• Submit proof of English language proficiency (Level B1)
• Have a job that matches the RQF Level 3 or above
• Have funds worth £1,270
• Match the minimum salary requirements of at least £38,700

The total cost for the UK Skilled worker visa could range from £769 to £1,751 for the application fee. The exact cost may vary depending on the visa duration and if your job is listed on the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Additionally, you would be required to pay £1,035 per person as the Healthcare surcharge fee. While applying for a UK skilled worker visa, you must also have £1,270 worth of funds in your account for a minimum of 28 days before submitting your application.

The documents required for a UK Skilled Worker visa application are as follows:

• Valid passport
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Employment letter from your employer in the UK
• English language proficiency test results
• Proof of educational qualifications
• Proof of work experience
• Proof of funds (bank statements)
• Criminal clearance certificate
• Medical certificate

The processing time for a UK Skilled worker visa is around 3-8 weeks, depending on where you are applying from. UK Skilled worker visa applications made from outside the country can take around 8 weeks, while those from within the UK can take around 3 weeks. You can also opt for faster processing of your application within 5 days by paying an additional fee.

No, you cannot apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa without a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor. Having a job offer and a CoS are two main requirements to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa.

The minimum salary requirement for the UK Skilled Worker visa is £38,700 per year, or the “going rate” for that particular job role. The minimum salary thresholds may vary depending on factors such as having a job on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or holding a specific healthcare or care job role.

The jobs eligible for the UK Skilled Worker visa are those listed with a specific occupation code and that meet the minimum salary and skill requirements. Some of the qualifying job roles for the UK Skilled Worker visa can be found in sectors like healthcare, IT, education, engineering, and Finance. The job role must also be considered as “skilled”, with a minimum Bachelor’s degree level of RQF level 6. Some examples of eligible jobs include teachers, doctors, IT professionals, finance professionals, management-related job roles, and specific skilled trades.

Yes, skilled worker visa holders can bring their dependents to the UK by applying for a separate dependent visa. A dependent visa is generally issued for the same validity as the primary UK skilled worker visa holder. Dependents include spouse, or civil partner, unmarried partners, children under 18 years of age, and children above the age of 18 who are currently living in the UK as your dependents.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that UK visa applicants must pay if they plan to stay in the country for more than 6 months to access the NHS (National Health Service). The IHS fee for a UK Skilled worker visa is around £1,035 per annum and can be calculated by multiplying the annual rate by the visa duration.

The UK Skilled Worker visa, once issued, is valid for a maximum of 5 years. After this period, it can be extended if you fulfill the visa requirements. After living in the UK for five years, you can even qualify to apply for an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) upon eligibility.

To extend your UK skilled worker visa, you must obtain a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from your employer in the UK and then apply online through the official UK website before the expiry of your current visa. To successfully have your skilled worker visa extended, you must meet specific requirements, including submitting proof of identity, details of your job role, salary, and your employer in the UK. You must remain in the UK during the application process.

Yes, the UK Skilled Worker visa can lead to permanent residency or settlement after five years of residing in the UK. You will also be required to meet other criteria, including compliance with visa rules and a continuous residency period. The application for ILR can be submitted at least 28 days before completing the 5-year residency period.

The English language requirements for the UK Skilled Worker visa are a minimum of B1 Level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). You can prove your English language proficiency by clearing the SELT (Secure English Language Test) exam with a minimum score of at least 4.0 in all four testing sections of IELTS, or through academic qualifications like a degree that is taught in the English language, or if you are a national of an English-speaking country. The English language requirements for a skilled worker visa in the UK will change to B2 level starting January 8, 2026.

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is an official document issued by a licensed UK employer. A CoS is granted to a sponsored skilled foreign worker as confirmation of the job offer and that they fulfill the UK immigration requirements. To obtain a CoS, you must first secure a job offer from a verified employer in the UK, who will then grant the Certificate of Sponsorship online via the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The CoS comes with a unique reference number that can be used while applying for a UK work visa.

Yes, you can change employers while holding a UK Skilled worker visa, provided you have the new visa confirmation before you can start working for the new employer. You can follow the steps below to change employers while holding a UK skilled worker visa:

1. Find a new employer in the UK
2. Obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
3. Apply for updating your visa (can be done at least 3 months before your job starts)
4. Submit the required documents along with the visa application fee payment and the IHS fee
5. Await a visa decision

Some of the most common reasons for the UK Skilled Worker visa rejection are as follows:

• Errors or issues with the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Incorrect documentation
• Your job is not meeting the minimum salary threshold
• Not having the required proof of funds
• Not meeting the minimum English language requirements
• Having a criminal history or record
• Having a sponsor whose license has been revoked or suspended

Y-Axis has over 25 years of experience in providing visa and immigration consultation services. Y-Axis can successfully help you with the UK Skilled Worker visa application by offering:

• Job search services to find the right job in the UK
• Resume marketing services to make your CV stand out
• Free eligibility check to help you assess your eligibility for the visa
• LinkedIn marketing services to help you create a profile that grabs the attention of recruiters.
• Free counseling about the UK job market, job roles, and careers abroad.