UK Skilled Worker Visa
United Kingdom GBR
The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer from a UK Home Office-licensed sponsor to live and work in the United Kingdom. Applicants must meet a points-based threshold covering salary, skill level, and English language ability. After five continuous years, holders may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, with citizenship eligibility after six years.
Program Details
- Category
- Skilled Worker
- Processing Time
- 2 months
- Application Fee
- $1,780
- Minimum Income
- $2,750/mo
- Minimum Investment
- —
- Family Included
- Dependant partner and children may be included; each requires a separate application and fee
- Path to PR
- Yes — 5 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 6 years
- Physical Presence
- Must not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Workers are subject to UK income tax and National Insurance contributions from the date they begin employment. The UK has tax treaties with many countries to avoid double taxation.
- Renewal Cost
- $1,780
Minimum salary threshold of £26,200/year (general), or the 'going rate' for the specific occupation if higher. Certain shortage occupations may qualify at 80% of the going rate.
Application Timeline
Apply
2mo processing
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 5 years
Citizenship
After 6 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer
- ✓Job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent)
- ✓Salary of at least £26,200/year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher
- ✓English language proficiency (B1 CEFR or equivalent)
- ✓Sufficient personal savings (£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, unless employer certifies maintenance)
- ✓Valid passport or travel document
Am I eligible for UK Skilled Worker Visa?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Minimum monthly income
Programme requires $2,750/month.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Secure qualifying UK job offer
home countrySponsored employment from UK Home Office-licensed sponsor. Minimum salary £38,700/yr (or going rate for the occupation) as of 2024 — up from £26,200 previously. Role must be on eligible occupation list (SOC code).
Typical duration: 4-12 weekssource ↗
- 02
Receive Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
home countrySponsoring employer issues CoS via UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. Must be assigned to applicant before visa application.
Typical duration: 1-4 weeks
- 03
Apply for visa online
home countrySubmit visa application via gov.uk. Pay fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Attend biometrics appointment at TLScontact/VFS centre.
Typical duration: 3-8 weekssource ↗
- 04
Receive vignette + BRP
home countryIf approved, a 90-day vignette is placed in passport for initial entry; Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) collected in UK within 10 days of arrival (being phased out late 2024 for eVisa).
Typical duration: 3 weeks
- 05
Enter UK within 90 days and start work
destinationMust arrive within vignette period. Collect BRP or activate eVisa. Register with tax authority (HMRC).
Typical duration: 1-2 weeks
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Home country | No | — | 180 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | UK employer via UKVI | No | — | 90 |
| Evidence of salary + occupation code | Employer | No | — | 90 |
| English language proficiency (B1+) | Approved test provider or degree taught in English | No | — | 730 |
| TB test (for certain countries) | Approved clinic | No | — | 180 |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_high, relocation_misc, total_first_year_low, total_first_year_high, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.
EXCLUDES the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1,035/year per person — £5,175 over 5 years for each family member. Major cost factor.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait2–8 weeks
- Decision → arrival1 weeks
- Residence card issuance2 weeks
- Total to residence card5–11 weeks
UK processing is typically fast; priority service (£500 extra) reduces to 5 business days.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 60 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 60 months
- Renewal fee
- $1,000
- Requirements
- Continued qualifying employment with licensed sponsor; salary threshold; IHS payment.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 5
- Max days absent / year
- 180
- Language test
- Required (B1)
- Integration test
- Required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- 6
- Language test
- Yes (B1)
- Civic test
- Required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Worldwide income
- Exit-tax country
- No
Special regimes
- UK Remittance Basis (ending April 2025)Foreign income/gains not remitted to UK untaxed for up to 15 years
Non-domiciled (abolished for new residents from April 6, 2025 under Labour government reforms).
Duration: 15 years
source ↗
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- No
- Public system access
- After 0 months
Examples: NHS (via IHS payment), Bupa, AXA Health
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Spouse/partner can work in UK with no restriction (on dependent visa)
- Child school enrolment
- Full access to UK state schools; strong international school network
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠2024 reform raised minimum salary to £38,700 from £26,200 — many prior-eligible roles no longer qualify
- ⚠Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/yr per person) is a major hidden cost
- ⚠UK left EU — no EU freedom of movement; separate Schengen visa rules apply
- ⚠Non-dom remittance basis ended April 2025 for new arrivals (major change for HNWI)
- ⚠Sponsor licence suspension can leave workers without valid status — verify sponsor compliance
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Work for non-sponsoring employer (outside supplementary limit)
- ×Self-employment as primary activity
- ×Business operations independent of sponsor
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Salary below £38,700 threshold (2024 reform)
- •Occupation not on eligible SOC list
- •Sponsor not licensed or compliant
- •CoS not properly issued
Recent Legislative Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the salary threshold rise so much?+
April 2024 reforms tripled the baseline salary threshold from £26,200 to £38,700 as part of net migration reduction policy. Healthcare workers remain on lower threshold. Going rate for the SOC code may exceed these minimums.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?+
A mandatory annual fee (£1,035/yr per person) paid upfront for the duration of the visa. It grants full NHS access. For a 5-year visa + family of 4, this totals £20,700 — often the largest cost.
Can I bring my family?+
Yes. Spouse/civil partner and children under 18 can join on dependant visas. Each dependant requires their own IHS payment. Spouse has full work rights.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.
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