What are the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?

You need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, a salary at or above the threshold (generally £38,700 or the going rate for your role), English at B1 level, and the job must be at RQF level 3 or above.

What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?

The general salary threshold is £38,700 per year. However, some roles have lower thresholds: new entrants may qualify at £30,960, and roles on the Immigration Salary List may have reduced requirements.

Do I need a degree for a Skilled Worker visa?

Not necessarily. The job must be at RQF level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels). While many qualifying jobs require a degree, some skilled trades and technical roles at RQF level 3 also qualify.

Can I change employers on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, but you must apply for a new Skilled Worker visa with a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer before you start the new job. You cannot simply switch employers without a new visa application.

Can my family join me on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes. Your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. They will need to pay their own application fees and IHS. Dependants can work in the UK without restrictions.

How long does a Skilled Worker visa last?

A Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time. You can extend it as many times as needed, as long as you still meet the requirements. After 5 years, you can apply for ILR.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements 2026

The Skilled Worker visa requires a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a salary meeting the threshold (generally £38,700), English at B1 level, and the job must be skilled to at least RQF level 3. This guide covers every requirement in detail for 2026.

Overview

The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for non-UK nationals to work in the UK. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa. To qualify, you need a job offer from a licensed UK employer at the right skill level and salary.

Requirement 1: Sponsorship

You must have a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence. The employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is an electronic record containing details of your job and salary.

You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa without a CoS. The CoS must be valid and must accurately reflect your job offer. If there are errors on the CoS, your application may be refused.

Requirement 2: Salary Threshold

Your salary must meet the general threshold of £38,700 per year, or the "going rate" for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. For a detailed explanation, see our salary threshold guide.

There are some important exceptions:

New entrants: If you are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you may qualify at a lower threshold of £30,960 or 70% of the going rate.
Immigration Salary List: Jobs on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) may have a reduced salary requirement.
Health and education workers: Some NHS and education roles have specific salary rules that differ from the general threshold.

Requirement 3: Skill Level

The job must be at RQF level 3 or above. RQF level 3 is equivalent to A-levels. This means most professional, managerial, technical, and skilled trade roles qualify.

Each job has an SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code. Your employer must assign the correct SOC code on the CoS. The Home Office checks that the job genuinely matches the skill level claimed.

You do not personally need to hold specific qualifications (such as a degree), unless the job itself requires them. The skill level refers to the job, not the applicant.

Requirement 4: English Language

You must prove English at B1 level (intermediate) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This can be proved through:

A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
A degree taught in English from a recognised institution.
Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

See our English language tests guide for approved providers and exemptions.

Requirement 5: Maintenance Funds

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. This proves you can support yourself when you first arrive in the UK.

Your employer can certify that they will support you instead (known as an "A-rated sponsor maintenance undertaking"). Most established employers do this, meaning you do not need to show personal funds.

Requirement 6: TB Test (Some Countries)

If you are applying from a country that requires TB screening, you must get a TB test certificate from an approved clinic before applying. Check GOV.UK for the list.

Requirement 7: Criminal Record Certificate

If you are working in certain roles (such as education or healthcare), you may need to provide a criminal record certificate from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Your CoS will state if this is required.

Costs

Skilled Worker visa costs include the application fee (£719-£1,500), IHS (£1,035 per year), and employer-paid costs. For a complete breakdown, see our Skilled Worker cost guide.

Processing Time

Standard processing takes 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside. Priority services are available. See our processing time guide.

Path to Settlement

After 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for ILR. After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. For the full costs of this journey, see our visa fees guide and hidden costs guide.