As a multi-award-winning, SRA-regulated law firm recommended by The Legal 500 with over a decade of specialised immigration experience, we create the gold standard and benchmark in expertise, authority, and credibility to get the desired results. Moreover, this result driven approach has created an overall record of 5,000+ successful immigration and visa applications, enabling the companies and individuals to be confident that their visa process is in experienced hands committed to their success.
Through the Skilled Worker visa, you directly gain access to be able to work, live, and the chance to build a permanent future in the UK.
The Skilled Worker Visa is the UK’s main route for long-term sponsored work. It forms part of the UK’s points-based immigration system, points are primarily awarded for a licensed job offer, the required salary, and the role’s skill level.
This visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) route and actually offers the most secure base for long-term careers and a chance to permanently settle in the UK after 5 years.
Note for employers and applicants: Care worker roles are no longer eligible under the Skilled Worker route and instead fall under specific Health & Care sub-routes with additional restrictions. And RQF Level 6” simply means graduate-level roles (or equivalent experience), such as engineers, analysts, teachers, or managers.
Must have confirmed employment from a licensed UK sponsor
Minimum £41,700 annually (£33,400 for discount routes)
Role must be classified at RQF Level 6 or above
Permanent residence eligibility after 5 years
At A Y & J Solicitors, we break down the Skilled Worker route into clear, actionable steps to reduce errors and speed up approvals.
However, if this is not aligned with your needs, there are also work visa options.
Here is a brief comparison between the present Skilled Worker Visa and the earlier Tier 2 (General) visa:
The UK government announced several major changes regarding visas and immigration through the Immigration White Paper and the new changes to the Skilled Worker visa. As of July 22, 2025, stricter salary and skill threshold requirements came into effect.
These updates make it more competitive to qualify for UK jobs, especially compared to Global Talent or Health & Care routes.
These new guidelines clearly state that the Skilled Worker visa salary and skills thresholds have increased. Below are the key changes in detail:
Increased the minimum required salary for most roles under the Skilled Worker visa route to £41,700.
The reduced salary threshold of £33,400 now applies to new entrants like recent graduates and trainees. Check the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL).
Jobs must now be at RQF Level 6 or above to qualify under the Skilled Worker visa route, impacting the overall skill threshold.
Implemented tighter compliance and stricter enforcement of eligibility for sponsoring employers and work visa applicants.
The list of eligible occupations has changed, and many entry-level positions have been removed. Check the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
Overseas recruitment for Health and Care Worker Visa route is no longer allowed, with limited extension rights for current visa holders.
Note: You can check the Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Skilled Worker for more in-depth information.
Note: So, you're still committed to moving to the UK but without a sponsor? You should explore the self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa so you have a more flexible career and immigration route.
Prior to submitting an application, you would have to meet all the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker visa listed below:
Example: Software developer in SOC 2136 must earn £41,700+ or the role’s going rate, whichever is higher.
Note: These eligibility requirements are a part of the UK's points-based system, which requires the applicant to have a total sum of 70 points to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. If you met all the above requirements, you have already secured at least 70 points.
Obtain a job offer for employment from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. (Timeline: varies by employer response)
The employer will issue a defined CoS if you are outside the UK or an undefined CoS if you are inside the UK. (Typical timeline: 1–5 business days)
Collect all the required documents with the proper translations and certifications. (1–2 weeks depending on translations needed)
The application form can then be filled out online from the UK government's portal. (Takes ~1 hour if documents are ready)
Pay all fees required for the application processing, Immigration Health Surcharge, and attend biometric appointment. (Biometric slots usually available within 1–2 weeks)
Wait for the Home Office decision. After visa approval, you can relocate to the UK and activate your visa at the border. (Decision typically in 3–8 weeks, depending on priority service)
Tip: For the biometric appointment, you can also use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check' app to provide your details for identity verification
Key Failure Point: If documents aren’t uploaded within 5 working days of application, your submission may be rejected.
For submission, typically every applicant has to put together robust documentation alongside the application, both within the UK and outside the UK.
Even a single missing document can cause delays or refusal. Our team provides a specialist document review service, ensuring every required certificate, test result, and translation is accurate, complete, and ready for submission. This careful verification process is one of our hallmarks of success, helping clients avoid the most common pitfalls.
Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa could be tricky, and a small error can cause refusals. So here we list the most common mistakes to be avoided:
Ensure all information matches exactly between your application and the CoS.
A mistake here can lead to outright refusal.
Financial documents must be no older than 31 days at the time of submission.
Using outdated statements will delay your application and may trigger rejection.
Missing or otherwise incorrect English qualification certificates.
This often results in refusal until proper proof is submitted.
Incorrectly calculating an annual salary, including allowances and deductions.
This mistake commonly results in rejections or expensive re-applications.
The application form is incomplete and is submitted without the required evidence
Failure to provide them will pause or reject your application.
Submitting without all required evidence.
Causes application rejection and requires re-filing.
Applying under the wrong immigration route.
This leads to outright refusal and lost fees.
Applying too early, too late, or when the job start date does not align with visa validity.
This creates legal complications and may force you to reapply.
Insufficient funds or wrong calculation for the amount required.
This is one of the top reasons for Skilled Worker refusals.
Here is the breakdown of the Skilled Worker visa costs and the UK visa processing times updated as of 2025:
Yes, you can get a refund for:
Once processing has begun, visa application fees are not refunded even if your application is refused. Make sure your application is accurate and complete before submitting. Check the official UKVI refund policy on GOV.UK
This visa offers one of the most stable long-term career routes to UK settlement. It can be granted for an initial period of 5 years. Thereafter, it can be renewed repeatedly for a period of 5 years without any restriction on the number of Skilled Worker visa extensions as long as the requirements are being met.
After 5 years: After 5 continuous years in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence).
The UK employers are obliged to fulfil the following requirements before they can sponsor on a Skilled Worker visa:
Tip: The process to hire skilled workers in the UK is a whole other immigration application. Download the Sponsor Licence guide for more detailed clarity on the procedure and also to check if your business is eligible for this UK licence.
An applicant may switch to the Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, as long as their current visa allows it. Below is what you need to know based on your current visa type.
In these instances, an application for the Skilled Worker visa must be made from the candidate's home country.
Your spouse, partner, and any child under the age of 18 can come along with you to the UK on the same visa for the entire duration, and they are free to work and study.
Each family member must submit a separate application and pay individual fees.
Most applicants switching from a Graduate visa will need:
You can apply for ILR from a Skilled Worker visa upon satisfying the key eligibility criteria.
Having stayed in the UK for 5 years with no more than 180 days spent abroad in any 12-month period.
Still be in a job with a licensed sponsor that meets the required salary and skill levels.
Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the B1 English level (unless exempt).
Once ILR is granted, permanent residence removes all limitations imposed by your visa.
ILR gives you the right to stay in the UK indefinitely and is a stepping stone to British citizenship.
Simple steps to ensure your Skilled Worker visa application is valid and runs smoothly. These steps can cut refusal risks by 90% (based on A Y & J client data).
Ensure that your passport, CoS, English test results, and any other primary documentation are ready before you submit your application.
Confirm that your job offer comes from a properly licensed UK sponsor—use the official government list for verification.
Have enough savings in your bank account (held for 28 days) to maintain yourself and your dependents, if necessary.
Book your Life in the UK test and achieve the required score unless exempted.
All sections of the online form must be filled out properly. Simple errors may cause delays or rejection.
The Immigration Health Surcharge should be paid correctly for NHS access in the UK during your stay.
Please make sure you arrange an appointment on a priority basis and bring all the required documentation for your interview.
Select standard, priority, or super-priority service based on how quickly you need to receive your decision.
Reach the UK during your visa vignette and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.
Additional Tip: In case of a Skilled Worker visa refusal, you might still have the option to appeal the Home Office decision.
Here are the many success stories of our clients who came to us for skilled worker visa guidance.
I was facing a visa delay that threatened my dream job. A Y & J stepped in and got my CoS approved the same day.
My sponsor was confused about my CoS, and my visa was at risk. A Y & J sorted everything out quickly and without a hitch.
With a job offer and my family relying on me, time was tight. In four days, A Y & J secured our Skilled Worker visas.
Dream It. Do It. Stories of UK Business Success With Us: Real journeys of ambition, resilience, and success—powered by strategic immigration and legal support by A Y & J Solicitors.
A Y & J Solicitors has handled over hundreds of successful Self Sponsorship UK applications, making it a renowned leader in UK immigration law. Each case that we take is handled with meticulous professionalism by our experienced team, meeting every requirement and providing the highest possible likelihood of approval.
To work in the UK, you must be sponsored through a job offer from a licensed UK employer. They have to assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship. The job has to be at RQF Level 6 or above, with a few exceptions, and the pay should meet the minimum salary of £41,700. You should also meet at least CEFR Level B1 proficiency in English.
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