The Skilled Worker visa enables employers to sponsor non-UK nationals for employment in the UK in qualified, skilled positions.
This visa category is available to individuals who score 70 points by meeting specific criteria, including the required skill and salary thresholds, proficiency in English, and possession of a job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsorship license.
Additionally, the Skilled Worker visa allows for spouses, long-term partners, and dependent children to submit applications to join the primary visa holder in the UK as dependents.
The visa can be issued for a period of up to five years, after which the worker may qualify to apply for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The criteria for the Skilled Worker visa are detailed in the newly established Appendix Skilled Worker published by UK Visas and Immigration.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, candidates must gather a sum of 70 points.
This 70-point benchmark for the Skilled Worker visa comprises 50 points from essential, ‘non-tradeable’ conditions, such as having a job offer, English language proficiency, and the appropriate skill level for the proposed job, along with 20 points from ‘tradeable’ conditions.
Criteria | Points | Category |
Genuine job offer from a licensed sponsor | 20 points | Mandatory |
Speak English to the required standard | 10 points | Mandatory |
Job offer at a skill level of RQF3 or above | 20 points | Mandatory |
Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | 0 points | Tradeable |
Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | 10 points | Tradeable |
Salary of £26,200 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | 20 points | Tradeable |
Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee | 20 points | Tradeable |
Educational qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job | 10 points | Tradeable |
Educational qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | 20 points | Tradeable |
To secure the necessary 20 mandatory points for employment sponsorship, specific obligations are placed on both the employee and the employer (the sponsor).
The sponsoring employer must possess an A-rated valid sponsorship license and must have settled the Immigration Skills Charge.
The Home Office will assess the authenticity of the job vacancy and the employment, ensuring that there is a legitimate requirement for the role within the sponsoring organization.
Meanwhile, the employee must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the employer that is specific to the job for which they are being hired.
Prior to visa application submission, the worker must receive a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their UK sponsor, verifying that both the individual and the position satisfy the sponsorship criteria.
The CoS is a unique reference number essential for the applicant’s Skilled Worker visa submission to the Home Office. Only sponsors with a license are authorized to issue a CoS.
Currently, there are two categories of Certificates of Sponsorship: defined and undefined. These have taken the place of the former restricted and unrestricted CoS, respectively, which were in use until 1 December 2020.
These are designated for:
Defined Certificates of Sponsorship are reserved for applications for Skilled Worker visas made from outside the UK.
To obtain a defined CoS, sponsors must submit a detailed application to the Home Office, providing specific information about the job position and the associated salary.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) issues undefined CoS to sponsors annually. The quantity allocated depends on several factors, including the sponsor’s workforce size and the business type. Any CoS not used within the 12-month allocation period are withdrawn from the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Sponsors may also request additional undefined CoS throughout the year if necessary.
Holders of the Skilled Worker visa are restricted to specific qualifying positions. For a role to qualify, it must align with or surpass the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3, akin to the qualification level of UK A-levels. Positions deemed below this level are ineligible for the Skilled Worker visa.
The Home Office evaluates job roles for Skilled Worker visa suitability using ‘Standard Occupation Codes’ (SOC). Each job role is categorized under a four-digit SOC code.
To ascertain a job’s eligibility for the Skilled Worker visa, sponsors must determine the appropriate SOC code for the job using tools like the ONS occupation coding tool. The role should have a job description that matches one on the list of eligible occupations.
The Skilled Worker visa has a set minimum salary requirement, which is the greater of £26,200 annually, £10.75 per hour, or the standard rate for the specific job in question.
Each job code comes with a designated standard or ‘going rate.’
When determining the salary for visa eligibility, both hourly and annual rates are considered. The hourly wage must not fall below £10.75, even if the yearly salary meets the threshold.
For certain job roles, if the salary for a job is below the general threshold or the job’s specific salary standard – but is at least £20,960 annually – the applicant may still qualify for the Skilled Worker visa. This is possible by compensating with specific attributes in exchange for a lower salary to reach the necessary point total.
Application Type | Location | Duration | Fee |
Standard Application | Outside the UK | Up to 3 years | £719 |
Standard Application | Outside the UK | More than 3 years | £1,420 |
Standard Application | Inside the UK | Up to 3 years | £827 |
Standard Application | Inside the UK | More than 3 years | £1,500 |
Shortage Occupation | Inside or Outside the UK | Up to 3 years | £551 |
Shortage Occupation | Inside or Outside the UK | More than 3 years | £1,084 |
Unless you are applying for a healthcare skilled worker visa, all UK visa applicants are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their application, granting them access to the National Health Service (NHS) at no additional cost for most services. Here is how the IHS applies to Skilled Worker visa applicants:
To initiate a Skilled Worker visa application, you must complete the online form, attach all necessary documents, and settle the applicable application charge. Prospective applicants are allowed to apply a maximum of three months prior to the commencement date of their job in the UK, which should align with the date specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
If navigating the Skilled Worker visa application process seems daunting, Visio Consultants is here to offer expert guidance. We specialize in ensuring your application is complete, accurate, and submitted in a timely manner. Let us manage the complexities while you focus on preparing for your new role in the UK. Contact Visio Consultants today to get started on your Skilled Worker visa application with confidence.
