Skilled Worker Visa (UK) | Iconiq Solicitors

The Skilled Worker visa allows non-UK nationals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. It has replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and offers a pathway to settlement and eventually British citizenship.

With a Skilled Worker visa, you can:

Work in an approved skilled role
Bring your partner and children with you as dependants
Change employers (with a new Certificate of Sponsorship)
Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British citizenship

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Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must satisfy several conditions:

Job Offer

1. From a UK employer who is an approved sponsor.
2. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations. GOV.UK

Salary & Going Rates

1. From 22 July 2025, the general minimum salary threshold is £41,700 per year or the “going rate” for the particular job, whichever is higher.
2. Lower salary options exist if you meet certain criteria (new entrant, relevant PhD, job on the Immigration Salary List, etc.). But these also have new, higher thresholds under the changes. GOV.UK

English Language

1. Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level B1 or higher
2. Having a degree taught in English
3. Being from a majority English-speaking country

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

1. Your employer must issue a CoS referencing your occupation code. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting it. GOV.UK

Salary Floor / Minimums for Specific Cases

1. If your job is in healthcare or education, different rules may apply based on pay scales.

If you got your first CoS before 4 April 2024 and have continuously held Skilled Worker leave since, you may have transitional / lower salary requirements. (But these “legacy” rules will phase out over time.) GOV.UK

Salary Requirements

From 22 July 2025, new salary thresholds apply. You must be paid at least the general minimum salary or the going rate for your job — whichever is higher.

Category	Minimum Salary Required
Standard case (no new entrant, no PhD, job not on special list)	£41,700 or the going rate for the specific role, whichever is higher. GOV.UK
New Entrant / Graduate / relevant PhD / job on Immigration Salary List / STEM PhD discount	Lower thresholds apply, but these are still increasing. For example, under some qualifying criteria, a minimum of £33,400 may apply.
Legacy rule holders (first CoS before April 2024 + continuous Skilled Worker leave)	Lower going rate rules may apply with a minimum around £29,000-£31,300 depending on job code and conditions. GOV.UK
Health & education roles (NHS, care, teachers)	Based on national pay scales

Eligible Occupations

Not all jobs qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. Your role must:

Appear on the list of eligible occupations
Meet the skill level (generally RQF Level 6 or graduate-level)
Be sponsored by an approved UK employer

Common eligible sectors include:

Professional roles (depending on the current salary & shortage lists)
Health & social care
Education (secondary school teachers in specific subjects)
IT & technology roles
Engineering & skilled trades

Your job must fall under an eligible occupation code listed by the Home Office.

Financial Requirements

If applying from outside the UK, you must show you can support yourself unless your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS:

£1,270 available in your bank account (held for at least 28 days)
£285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child

Length of Stay

A Skilled Worker visa can last up to 5 years
You can extend or switch visas as long as you remain eligible
After 5 continuous years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Application Process

Confirm job eligibility – check if your role is on the eligible list
Employer issues Certificate of Sponsorship
Gather documents – passport, English test, TB test (if required), proof of funds
Apply online and pay visa fees & Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Provide biometrics (fingerprints & photo)
Receive decision (usually 3–8 weeks, depending on where you apply)

Visa Fees

Type	Visa Fee	Immigration Health Surcharge
Up to 3 years	£719 (outside UK) / £827 (inside UK)	£1,035 per year
More than 3 years	£1,420 (outside UK) / £1,500 (inside UK)	£1,035 per year

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Dependants

You can bring:

Your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
Your children under 18
Children over 18 if already in the UK as dependants

They will need to apply separately and pay visa fees and the health surcharge.

Benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa

Legal right to live and work in the UK
Flexibility to change employers (with a new CoS)
Route to permanent residence (ILR) and British citizenship
Dependants can work and study in the UK
Access to public services such as the NHS (through IHS payment)

Extensions & Switching

If you switch jobs, extend the visa, or apply for ILR, you may need to ensure the new salary meets the updated thresholds. Legacy transitional rules may apply to certain persons. GOV.UK

Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong SOC code or misunderstanding “going rate”
Employer is not an approved sponsor or fails to comply with duties
Salary offered falls below the greater of (general threshold vs going rate)
Assuming old thresholds still apply when the law has changed

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the sponsorship and salary requirements?

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you need a confirmed job offer from a licensed employer. The role must typically be at RQF Level 6 or above, with a salary of at least £41,700 per year. Lower thresholds may apply for shortage occupations, new entrants, or PhD-qualified applicants. Your employer must provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, and you must meet the English language requirement and the relevant SOC code.

How can ICONIQ Solicitors help with a Skilled Worker visa application?

ICONIQ Solicitors offers expert legal guidance for your Skilled Worker visa application, ensuring your job offer meets the necessary skill and salary requirements. They assist employers with issuing a valid Certificate of Sponsorship and verify that all documentation is accurate. Our team provides advice on eligibility, helps avoid common errors, and can represent you if complications arise.

Which occupations/SOC codes are eligible?

The UK Skilled Worker visa in 2025 uses Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to define which jobs are eligible for sponsorship. Each eligible job has a unique 4-digit SOC code and must meet specific skill and salary thresholds. You can explore the full list on the UK government's official occupation codes page.

Can I switch in-country to Skilled Worker?

Yes, you can switch to a UK Skilled Worker visa if you meet the eligibility criteria and are not on a restricted visa. Apply before your current visa expires and stay in the UK during processing.

Do dependants qualify and on what conditions?

Dependants can join or stay with a Skilled Worker visa holder in the UK under specific conditions. As of July 2025, stricter rules mean dependants can only join if the main applicant works in a high-skilled occupation and was granted their visa before the new rules. Those in medium-skilled roles or applying after July 2025 may face restrictions.

Does Skilled Worker time count towards ILR?

Time spent in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa counts towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You need to have lived and worked in the UK for 5 continuous years on a qualifying visa.

Skilled Worker