At City Height Solicitors, our immigration experts provide professional support for individuals and employers applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa. We explain all requirements in simple English and guide you through every stage of the process, helping you avoid mistakes and refusals.

Note: As of 22 July 2025, the UK government has increased the Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold. To qualify, you must now be paid a minimum of £41,700 annually or the going rate for your role, whichever is greater.

What is a skilled worker visa?

The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.

To qualify, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence from the Home Office.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements (2026)

Your job must be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa

The role you are offered must be listed as an eligible skilled job under the Skilled Worker Visa rules. If your job is not on the list, you cannot apply.

You must work for a Home Office-approved sponsor
Your employer must be approved by the Home Office and appear on the list of licensed sponsors. Only approved employers are allowed to hire Skilled Worker Visa applicants.

You must be paid at least the minimum salary requirement
You must earn the required minimum salary or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. If your salary is too low, your application will be refused.

You must meet the English language requirement
You must show that you can speak, read, write, and understand English to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale. This can be proven through a test or certain qualifications.

You must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship that confirms your job details and proves they are sponsoring your visa. You need the CoS reference number for your application.

You must know your 4-digit occupation code
Every skilled job has a 4-digit occupation code, which shows if your role is eligible. Your employer will give you this code, or you can find it using the official job tools.

Your job must follow UK rules on working hours and minimum wage
Your employer must pay at least the UK minimum wage and follow legal limits for working hours. If they do not follow these rules, your visa application can be refused.

Minimum Salary Rules (From 22 July 2025)

You must earn whichever is higher:

• £41,700 per year, or
   
• The going rate for your occupation code

Your application will be refused if your employer does not pay the correct salary or follow UK work rules.

Lower Salary Exceptions

You may be paid less if:

• You are extending your Skilled Worker Visa
   
• You are updating your visa because you changed employers or job roles
   
• Your job appears on the Immigration Salary List
   
• Your job is on the Temporary Shortage List
   
• You work in healthcare or education, where pay is based on national pay scales

If your job does not meet the usual salary rules, you may still qualify with a minimum salary of £33,400 per year in some cases.

Our immigration solicitors can check your eligibility and guide you through every step to avoid mistakes or delays.

How to Check If Your Job Is Eligible

1. Find your occupation code

You must know your 4-digit occupation code.
If you have a job offer, your employer will provide this.

2. Search your job title

If you do not know your code, you can use the CASCOT occupation coding tool to find it by job title or similar roles.

Not all job titles appear, and some similar roles have different codes. For example:

• Eligible: bricklayers, carpenters, roofers
   
• Not eligible: construction labourers

3. Check if the occupation code is on the list

Once you know your code, you must check the table of eligible jobs.
Eligible jobs are listed as:

• Higher-skilled – fully eligible
   
• Medium-skilled – eligible only if on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List

City Height Solicitors can help you confirm your occupation code and eligibility.

Approved UK Employers

You must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor. These employers appear on the official list of approved sponsors.

If your employer is not yet approved, they must apply for a Sponsor Licence.
Fees:

• £574 – small businesses or charities
   
• £1,579 – medium and large businesses

Processing normally takes 8 weeks.

Care Workers and Senior Care Workers

If you are a care worker (code 6135) or senior care worker (code 6136) working in England, your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

UK Skilled Worker Visa Required Documents

To apply, you’ll need:

• Valid passport
   
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
   
• Job title and annual salary
   
• Occupation code
   
• Employer’s sponsor licence number
   
• Evidence of English language skills
   
• Financial evidence (bank statements)
   
• TB test results (if required)
   
• Criminal record certificate (for certain jobs)

Our solicitors will check that your documents are correct and complete.

How to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

Step 1 – Confirm your eligibility

We check your job code, employer status, and salary requirements.

Step 2 – Prepare your documents

We review all papers, including your CoS, salary evidence, and identity documents.

Step 3 – Complete your online application

We prepare and submit your Skilled Worker Visa application to UKVI.

Step 4 – Pay the fees

You pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Step 5 – Biometrics

You attend an appointment to provide fingerprints and a photo.

Step 6 – Receive your decision

Most applicants receive a decision within a few weeks.

You must apply within 3 months of receiving your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Changing Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa

You can change employers, but you must apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa before starting the new job.

You will need:

• A new job offer
   
• A new Certificate of Sponsorship
   
• A job that meets the Skilled Worker rules
   
• A Home Office-approved sponsor

City Height Solicitors can help you switch employers quickly while keeping your visa valid. 

All the information is obtained from https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/overview