Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa allows overseas nationals, including European Economic Area (EEA) citizens arriving in the UK from 01 January 2021, to live and work in the UK for an approved employer. To qualify, applicants must have a valid job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor for an eligible skilled role.

This category replaces the former Tier 2 (General) route. If you currently hold leave as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant, any extension, change of employment, or settlement application must now be made under the Skilled Worker route.

Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa

To succeed in an application, you must score a total of 70 points under the UK’s points-based system. This consists of:

• 50 Mandatory (Non-Tradeable) Points

• 20 Tradeable Points

You must also:

• Be aged 18 or over

• Provide your 5-year travel history

• Provide a Criminal Record Certificate (if applicable)

• Provide a TB Certificate (if required)

• Meet the financial requirements

The exact requirements vary depending on your circumstances. Professional immigration advice is recommended.

Mandatory (Non-Tradeable) Points – 50 Points

1. Sponsorship – 20 Points

You must:

• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

• Be sponsored for a genuine vacancy

• Be sponsored by an A-rated Home Office licensed sponsor

• Show maintenance funds (or have sponsor certification)

• Ensure Immigration Skills Charge has been paid

2. Appropriate Job Skill Level – 20 Points

You must:

• Be sponsored under an eligible occupation code listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations

• Meet the required skill level

• Ensure the role is genuine and not artificially created

UKVI will assess:

• The genuineness of the vacancy

• Your qualifications and experience

• The sponsor’s compliance history

3. English Language Requirement – 10 Points

You must demonstrate English at Level B1 (CEFR) in:

• Reading

• Writing

• Speaking

• Listening

You may meet this requirement if:

• You are from a majority English-speaking country

• You hold a degree taught in English

• You passed GCSE/A-Level English in the UK

• You previously met B1 in a prior application

Tradeable Points – 20 Points (Salary Requirements)

You must score 20 tradeable points based on salary and specific circumstances.

You may qualify if:

• Your salary meets or exceeds £25,600 per year; or

• Meets the occupation’s going rate

Reduced salary thresholds apply if you:

• Hold a relevant PhD

• Hold a STEM PhD

• Work in a shortage occupation

• Are a new entrant to the labour market

• Work in listed health or education occupations

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship is essential. It must:

• Be issued by a Home Office-licensed sponsor

• Be issued within 90 days before your application

• Include your job details, salary, and PAYE information

• Confirm start date (within 3 months of application)

• Not have been previously used or withdrawn

Genuine Vacancy Requirement

UKVI must be satisfied that the job is genuine and not created solely for immigration purposes. If doubts arise, your application may be delayed or refused. In some cases, compliance visits or interviews may take place.

Shortage Occupation

Jobs listed on the Shortage Occupation List benefit from reduced salary thresholds. These roles reflect areas where UK employers struggle to recruit local workers.

New Entrant to the Labour Market

You may qualify as a new entrant if:

• You are under 26

• You are early in your career

• You are applying for up to 3 years

New entrants benefit from reduced salary thresholds.

Financial Requirement

You must show at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days before applying, unless:

• Your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance; or

• You have been lawfully living in the UK for 12 months

Criminal Record Requirement

If applying for entry clearance in certain occupations, you must provide a Criminal Record Certificate from countries where you lived for 12 months in the last 10 years.

Exemptions may apply where obtaining a certificate is impractical.

Immigration Skills Charge

Your sponsor must pay the Immigration Skills Charge for each Certificate of Sponsorship issued.

Duration of Skilled Worker Visa

Successful applicants are typically granted leave for up to 5 years, depending on the length of the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Conditions of Stay

If granted leave, you:

• May only work in the sponsored role

• May undertake supplementary employment

• May study (ATAS may apply)

• May need to register with the police

How Our Immigration Lawyers Can Help

Our specialist immigration lawyers provide expert guidance on Skilled Worker Visa applications. We assist with:

• Detailed eligibility assessments

• Strategic advice to strengthen applications

• Document review and preparation

• Drafting legal representations

• Online application submission

• Biometrics appointment arrangement

• Responding to Home Office queries

• Ongoing case management

We combine deep technical expertise with strategic legal thinking to maximise your prospects of success.