The Skilled Worker visa was previously known as the Tier 2 (General) visa. With the change came some significant updates to the requirements for eligibility to apply. The Skilled Worker visa is now a points-based visa that requires applicants to obtain 70 points.
Get a job, get a Skilled Worker visa
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must first have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer who holds a Home Office approved sponsor licence. You must receive a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer that contains information about the position you’ve been offered.
You must also meet the following requirements:
- You must have a minimum NQF level 6 (university level)
- Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations
- You must earn an annual salary £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever of the two is higher
- You can speak, write, read and understand English
If your salary is lower than £38,700, you may still qualify under these conditions:
- A PhD relevant job with an income of £34,830.
- A PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job with an income of £30,960.
- You are a new entrant with a salary of £30,960.
- You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Apply for your Skilled Worker visa today with the help of expert consultants
How points are allocated for the Skilled Worker visa:
| Characteristic | Tradable or mandatory | Number of Points |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer by approved sponsor | Mandatory | 20 |
| Job at appropriate skill level | Mandatory | 20 |
| Speaks English at required level | Mandatory | 10 |
| Salary of GBP 20,480 (minimum) – GBP 23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 0 |
| Salary of GBP 23,040 – GBP 25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 10 |
| Salary of GBP 25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 20 |
| Job in shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee | Tradeable | 20 |
| Qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job | Tradeable | 10 |
| Qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | Tradeable | 20 |
Family inclusion
You can include a partner and dependent children (under 18) in your visa application if they require a visa to enter the UK.
Maintenance requirement
To meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of at least £1,270 held for a minimum of 28 days.
Costs
- UKVI visa fee: £769 (three years) or £1,519 (five years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year of the visa
- Priority processing fee (optional): £500 (decision within five working days)
- Super priority processing fee (optional): £1,000 (decision within two working days)
Processing Times
Skilled Worker Visa applications are currently taking approximately 3-4 weeks to process.
Extend your work visa
You will need to extend your visa when it expires or if you change jobs. Your Skilled Worker visa can be extended as many times as you like.
UK visa assessment
Answer a few questions and we'll let you know if you're eligible to live and work in the UK. It takes less than five minutes and it's free of charge or obligation.