UK Skilled Worker Visa
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Complete Guide for 2025
At Versus Law Solicitors, we are leading UK immigration experts dedicated to supporting skilled professionals and UK employers in navigating the Skilled Worker Visa process with clarity and success. Whether you are applying for the first time or switching from a Tier 2 (General) visa, our comprehensive guide outlines everything you need to know about eligibility, documentation, processing, and legal compliance under the UK’s points-based immigration system.
What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa allows non-UK nationals to live and work in the UK in an eligible skilled occupation for an approved UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa, simplifying the application process while maintaining high standards for employment-based migration.
Skilled Worker visa holders can bring their spouses, partners, and children to the UK. After five continuous years in the UK under this visa, applicants may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Eligibility Criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa in 2025, you must score 70 points under the UK’s immigration points-based system. These points are split into mandatory (50 points) and tradeable (20 points) components.
Mandatory Requirements (50 points)
- Job offer from a licensed sponsor – 20 points
- Job at appropriate skill level (RQF 3 or above) – 20 points
- English language proficiency (B1 CEFR or higher) – 10 points
Tradeable Requirements (20 points)
These are based on salary, qualifications (e.g., PhD), shortage occupations, or new entrant status.
- Salary of £38,700 or more or
- Salary above the ‘going rate’ for the job or
- PhD in a relevant subject or STEM field or
- Job on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List)
Minimum Salary Thresholds (Effective April 2024)
- Standard threshold: £38,700 per year
- New entrants, STEM PhDs, and shortage roles: From £25,000 to £30,960
- Health and care sector workers: Minimum £29,000 (can be reduced in some cases)
Applicants must also meet or exceed the going rate for their occupation as defined in the SOC codes published by UKVI.
Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is essential for any Skilled Worker visa application. It is an electronic record containing the applicant’s details, job role, salary, and employer information.
Types of CoS:
- Defined CoS: For applications from outside the UK
- Undefined CoS: For applicants switching visas or applying within the UK
Employers must have a valid A-rated sponsor licence to issue a CoS. Sponsorship also includes a duty to ensure the job is genuine and meets skill and salary requirements.
English Language and Financial Maintenance Requirements
English Language Requirement:
Applicants must prove they meet the B1 CEFR level through:
- SELT test
- Degree taught in English
- Exemption for nationals from English-speaking countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia)
Maintenance Funds:
When applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, one of the crucial eligibility criteria is proving that you can financially support yourself—and any dependants—when you arrive in the UK. This is to ensure that new migrants do not become reliant on public funds (benefits) upon entry.
- Main applicant: £1,270
- Partner: £285
- First child: £315
- Each additional child: £200
Funds must have been held for at least 28 days prior to application, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
Required Documents for Skilled Worker Visa
- Valid passport and travel documents
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Proof of salary and job details
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Proof of maintenance funds
- Tuberculosis test (if applicable)
- Criminal record certificate (for education, healthcare, or social care roles)
- Relationship proof for dependents
- PhD certificate or Ecctis validation (if applicable)
Application Process for the Skilled Worker Visa
Step-by-Step Process:
- Secure a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor
- Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Gather supporting documents
- Submit the online visa application
- Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Attend biometric appointment (if required)
- Wait for a decision
- Receive visa and travel to the UK
Visa Processing Times:
- Outside UK: Approximately 3 weeks
- Inside UK: Up to 8 weeks
- Priority/Super Priority: 5 working days or next working day for additional cost
Skilled Worker Visa Fees (As of 2025)
Application Type |
Up to 3 Years |
Over 3 Years |
Standard Roles (outside UK) |
£769 |
£1,519 |
Inside UK (switch or extend) |
£885 |
£1,715 |
Immigration Salary List Roles |
£590 |
£1,160 |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £624/year per adult; £470/year per child
Extensions, Switching, and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Extensions & Switching:
You can apply to extend your visa if:
- You are still working in the same job
- Your employer remains a licensed sponsor
You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from eligible visa categories such as:
- Tier 4 Student
- Tier 2 (General)
- Graduate Route
ILR Eligibility:
After 5 years of continuous lawful residence:
- Must not have been outside the UK more than 180 days/year
- Must meet salary and job requirements
- Must pass Life in the UK Test
- Must meet the KoLL (Knowledge of Language and Life) requirement
Skilled Worker Visa for Employers
Employers must:
- Be a licensed sponsor
- Offer genuine employment at the correct skill and salary level
- Fulfil compliance obligations (reporting duties, record-keeping)
To hire non-UK nationals, apply for a Sponsor Licence via UKVI and use the Sponsor Management System (SMS) to manage CoS assignments.
Bringing Dependents to the UK
Skilled Workers can bring:
- Spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner
- Children under 18
- Adult children (in specific circumstances)
Dependents must meet financial requirements and apply for separate visas. They may also work or study in the UK.
Legal Support with Skilled Worker Visa Applications
At Versus Law Solicitors, we offer expert guidance across every stage of the Skilled Worker Visa process—from employer sponsorship licence applications and CoS issuance to individual visa applications and appeals.
Whether you’re an employer seeking global talent or a skilled professional looking to relocate to the UK, our immigration team ensures your application is accurate, complete, and timely—maximising your chances of success.
Contact Us Today
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Contact Us: https://www.versuslaw.co.uk/contact-us/
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