For skilled professionals around the world, the United Kingdom offers an exceptional employment landscape, world-class institutions, a global financial hub, a thriving technology sector, and some of the most respected employers on the planet. The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the primary route through which overseas nationals can live and work in the UK on a long-term basis. Transitley’s immigration specialists are here to help you understand exactly what is required and to support you through every stage of the application process.
What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa replaced the former Tier 2 (General) work visa and is the standard immigration route for qualified professionals who have received a job offer from a licensed UK employer. It is a sponsored route: you cannot apply without first having a valid job offer from a UK employer who holds a current Home Office sponsor licence.
The employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a unique reference number generated through the UKVI Sponsorship Management System, which forms the foundation of your visa application.
Eligibility requirements (2026)
To qualify for the Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet all of the following criteria as set by UKVI:
- You must have a valid job offer from a UK employer with a current sponsor licence.
- The role must be at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above. From 22 July 2025, the skills threshold was raised to RQF Level 6, with limited transitional provisions for those already sponsored at lower levels.
- Your salary must meet the general threshold of £41,700 per year (2026), or the published going rate for your specific occupation code, whichever is higher.
- New Entrants may qualify with a salary from £33,400 per year, subject to meeting UKVI eligibility requirements and the applicable occupation-specific going rate.
- You must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR B2 level or above. From January 2026, B2-level evidence must be submitted with the application.
- You must hold £1,270 in personal savings for at least 28 consecutive days before your application, unless your employer certifies maintenance.
- From January 2025, you must provide evidence of accommodation for your first month in the UK if your employer is not providing housing.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
The Certificate of Sponsorship is a reference number assigned by your employer through the UKVI Sponsorship Management System. There are two types:
- A Defined CoS, used for applicants coming from outside the UK.
- An Undefined CoS, used for in-country switching or extension applications.
Using the wrong type is a recordable compliance event for employers. Once you have your CoS reference number, you must apply for the visa within three months of the CoS being assigned.
Visa fees and costs (2026)
The Skilled Worker Visa involves several layers of cost. The following reflect the fee structure effective from April 2026:
- Application fee (outside the UK, up to 3 years): £769.
- Application fee (outside the UK, more than 3 years): £1,519.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per adult per year, paid upfront for the full visa duration.
- Children under 18: IHS at £776 per year.
- Health and Care Worker Visa (eligible roles): reduced application fee of £284, with full IHS exemption.
- Employer Immigration Skills Charge: £1,320 per year for large employers; £480 per year for small or charitable sponsors.
Always verify current fees on GOV.UK before applying, as immigration fees are subject to revision. Fees were last updated in April 2026.
Processing times and the eVisa
Standard processing for applications from outside the UK is typically three to eight weeks. Priority processing (approximately five working days) is available for an additional £500 fee. All successful applicants from 2025 onwards receive a digital eVisa linked to a UKVI account, with no physical Biometric Residence Permit issued for most new applications.
April 2026: an important salary compliance update
A significant compliance change came into force on 8 April 2026. Sponsors must now demonstrate that salary thresholds are met in each individual pay period, not simply on an annualised basis. This particularly affects workers in variable-pay or commission-based roles. If you or your employer last reviewed your sponsorship obligations before April 2024, a fresh compliance review is strongly advisable.
The route to settlement (ILR)
After five continuous years on the Skilled Worker Visa, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), granting permanent settlement in the UK. To qualify, you must:
- Have been continuously and lawfully resident in the UK for five years.
- Have maintained your sponsored employment throughout.
- Meet the salary threshold applicable at the time of your ILR application.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test.
- Satisfy the English language requirement at CEFR B1 level or above.
- Not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period of your qualifying residence.
It is a sponsored route. You cannot apply without first having a valid job offer from a UK employer who holds a current Home Office sponsor licence.
How Transitley helps
Transitley’s immigration team supports both employees and employers across every stage of the Skilled Worker Visa journey, from confirming eligibility and occupation code classification, to preparing the visa application, managing the eVisa account, and planning the long-term route to ILR. We work with clients across India, the Middle East, Africa, and South and South-East Asia, and we understand the specific challenges and documentation requirements that applicants from each of these regions face.
If you have a UK job offer and are ready to take the next step, speak to a Transitley immigration specialist today.