Skilled Worker Visa 2026: Complete Guide
What you need to know
- •You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence and a Certificate of Sponsorship to apply.
- •The general salary threshold is £38,700 per year in 2026, though lower thresholds apply for some occupations and new entrants.
- •The most common mistake is assuming any job qualifies. Your role must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level) and on the eligible occupations list.
- •In 2026, salary thresholds are significantly higher than in previous years. Check the current going rate for your specific occupation code.
- •After 5 years on the Skilled Worker route, you can apply for ILR and eventually British citizenship.
The Skilled Worker Visa is the UK's main route for employers to hire workers from outside the UK. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020. This guide covers everything about the Skilled Worker Visa in 2026: who is eligible, how much it costs, what salary you need, how to get a Certificate of Sponsorship, processing times, and how the visa leads to permanent settlement. Whether you are a worker planning to move to the UK or an employer looking to sponsor someone, this is your complete reference.
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What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to come to the UK to work for an approved employer. It is the most popular work visa route. Tens of thousands of people are granted this visa each year.
To get this visa, you need three things: a job offer from a licensed UK employer, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and a salary that meets the required threshold.
The Skilled Worker Visa allows you to:
- Work for your sponsoring employer in the UK
- Do a second job in certain circumstances
- Study alongside your work
- Bring your dependants (partner and children)
- Travel in and out of the UK
- Apply for ILR after 5 years
The visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time and can be extended as many times as needed. There is no maximum period you can hold this visa.
Eligibility Requirements
The full requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa have several components. All must be met.
Job and Sponsorship
Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office. They must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship that confirms your job title, salary, occupation code, and working conditions. The job must be genuine and at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels).
Check whether your job is on the eligible occupations list. Not every skilled job qualifies. The list uses Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes, and each code has a specific "going rate" salary.
Salary Threshold
The salary threshold is one of the most important requirements. In 2026, you must be paid at least the higher of:
- £38,700 per year (the general threshold), or
- The going rate for your specific occupation (which may be higher or lower)
There are lower thresholds for certain groups:
- New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or in professional training): 70% of the going rate, minimum £30,960
- Roles on the Immigration Salary List: 80% of the going rate
- Health and education roles: Specific national pay scales apply
English Language
You must prove your English at CEFR B1 level (intermediate). You can do this through an approved SELT test, a degree taught in English, or nationality of a majority English-speaking country.
Maintenance Funds
You must show you have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days. Your employer can also certify maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship, which means you do not need to show personal savings.
Costs and Fees
The full cost of a Skilled Worker Visa depends on the length of your visa and your occupation. Here is a breakdown for 2026.
Your Costs (Applicant)
- Application fee (up to 3 years): £719
- Application fee (more than 3 years): £1,500
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (e.g., £5,175 for a 5-year visa)
- English language test: £150–£200 (if not exempt)
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is the largest single cost. It gives you access to NHS services for the duration of your visa. Some employers choose to pay the IHS on your behalf as part of a relocation package.
Employer Costs
- Sponsor licence: £536 (small businesses) or £1,476 (medium/large businesses)
- Certificate of Sponsorship: £239 per worker
- Immigration Skills Charge: £364–£1,000 per year depending on company size
Employers cannot pass these costs on to you. It is illegal for an employer to ask you to pay the sponsor licence fee or Immigration Skills Charge.
The Application Process
Here is the step-by-step process for applying for a Skilled Worker Visa.
- Secure a job offer. Find a UK employer with a sponsor licence who is willing to hire you. You can check whether an employer has a licence on the GOV.UK register of sponsors.
- Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship. Your employer applies for a CoS through the Home Office Sponsorship Management System. Once issued, you will receive a reference number to use in your visa application.
- Apply online. Complete the visa application on GOV.UK. You will need your CoS reference number, passport details, and English language evidence.
- Pay the fees. The application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are paid online.
- Provide biometrics. Attend a visa application centre (if applying from outside the UK) or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if applying from inside the UK).
- Wait for a decision. See the section below on processing times.
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Processing Times
Processing times for the Skilled Worker Visa are generally faster than family visa routes.
- From outside the UK: 3 weeks (standard)
- Priority (outside UK): 5 working days (additional fee)
- From inside the UK: 8 weeks (standard)
- Priority (inside UK): 5 working days
- Super priority (inside UK): next working day
These are target timeframes and actual processing can vary. Applications that require additional checks (such as security clearance for certain roles) may take longer.
Changing Jobs and Extending Your Visa
You can change jobs while on a Skilled Worker Visa, but you must apply for a new visa before starting the new role. Your new employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
To extend your Skilled Worker Visa, your employer submits a new CoS and you submit a new application. There is no limit to how many times you can extend.
If you lose your job, your visa does not immediately become invalid. You have a 60-day "grace period" to find a new sponsor, switch to a different visa, or leave the UK. During this time, you cannot work.
Path to ILR and Citizenship
One of the main advantages of the Skilled Worker Visa is that it leads to permanent settlement. After 5 years of continuous residence on the Skilled Worker route (or a combination of qualifying routes), you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
To qualify for ILR, you must:
- Still be employed in a role that meets the salary threshold at the time of your ILR application
- Have maintained continuous residence (no more than 180 days absent in any 12-month period)
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Prove English at B1 level
- Not have any unspent criminal convictions
After holding ILR for 12 months, you can then apply for British citizenship.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Understanding common refusal reasons can help you submit a stronger application.
- Salary below the threshold. The salary on your CoS does not meet the general threshold or the going rate for your occupation code.
- Incorrect occupation code. The SOC code assigned by your employer does not match the actual duties of the role.
- Genuine vacancy concerns. The Home Office believes the job was created primarily for immigration purposes rather than a genuine business need.
- English language evidence issues. The test was from a non-approved provider, the certificate has expired, or the evidence was not submitted correctly.
- Maintenance funds. The required £1,270 was not held for 28 consecutive days, or the employer did not certify maintenance on the CoS.
If your application is refused, you will receive a detailed decision letter. Depending on the reason, you may be able to request an administrative review or submit a fresh application.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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