How to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visaUK Skilled Worker visa — The main UK work visa. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required skill and salary level.Click for official info ↗ is the main UK work route. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor at or above the salary threshold (£38,700 general threshold, with lower rates for new entrants, health/care, and shortage occupations), then apply online with your Certificate of Sponsorship, pay the fee plus the immigration health surchargeIHS — The fee most UK visa applicants pay upfront to use the NHS — £1,035 per year for most adults (2025 rate).Click for official info ↗, and give biometrics.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go Ongoing
Find a job with a licensed sponsor
Only employers holding a sponsor licence can sponsor you. Check the register of licensed sponsors on gov.uk (updated regularly) before applying to jobs, and filter job boards for "visa sponsorship". Your job must be a genuine vacancy at an eligible skill level (RQF 3+).
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- Before You Go 20 min
Check the salary threshold for your role
The general threshold is £38,700/year or the "going rate" for the occupation, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds apply if you are under 26, a recent graduate, in a shortage occupation, or in health and care — your sponsor's HR team will know which rate applies.
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- Go
Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
Once hired, the sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a electronic record with a reference number. It costs them £525 and is valid for 3 months, so plan to apply for the visa promptly. The CoS states your role, salary, and dates.
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- Fill / Prepare 1–2 hours
Apply online and pay
Apply on gov.uk within 3 months of your intended start. Fee: £719 for up to 3 years (£1,420 for longer) outside the health and care route, plus the immigration health surchargeIHS — The fee most UK visa applicants pay upfront to use the NHS — £1,035 per year for most adults (2025 rate).Click for official info ↗ of £1,035 per year of visa — a 3-year visa totals about £3,824. You can pay the IHS in instalments if applying from outside the UK.
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- Submit & Pay
Give biometrics and upload documents
Use the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app to scan your passport and face (most applicants), or book an appointment at a visa application centre. Upload your CoS reference, bank statements, TB certificate, and English proof as requested.
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- Wait 3–8 weeks
Wait for the decision
Standard service: 3 weeks outside the UK, 8 weeks inside the UK (switching employers or extending). Priority services (5 working days) and super priority (next working day) are available for extra fees. You receive an eVisaUK eVisa — The digital record of UK immigration status, accessed through a UKVI account. Replaces BRPs.Click for official info ↗ — check it in your UKVI account before travelling.
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- Follow Up
Know the settlement and family rules
After 5 continuous years on a Skilled Worker visaUK Skilled Worker visa — The main UK work visa. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required skill and salary level.Click for official info ↗ you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (absences limited to 180 days/year). Your partner and children can apply as dependants — they can work and study with almost no restrictions.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?
Only if your new employer holds a sponsor licence and assigns you a new Certificate of Sponsorship, and you submit a change of employment application before starting the new role. Working for a non-sponsoring employer breaches your visa and can end your route to settlement.
What is the immigration health surcharge and can I avoid it?
The IHS (£1,035/year, £776 for students and under-18s) funds NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ access during your stay. It is mandatory for almost everyone — only a few categories (like health and care workers on specific codes) are exempt. It is refunded pro-rata if your visa is refused or you leave early permanently.
Does time on a Student visa count toward settlement?
No — the 5 years for ILR must be on qualifying work or family routes. However, time as a Student or Graduate visa holder can make you a "new entrant" with a lower salary threshold for your first Skilled Worker visaUK Skilled Worker visa — The main UK work visa. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required skill and salary level.Click for official info ↗.
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