UK Skilled Worker Visa: Complete 2026 Guide

The Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2 General) is the UK's primary employment route for non-UK/EEA nationals. It lets you live and work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible occupation. It also counts toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, eventually, citizenship.

At a glance:

• Initial grant: up to 5 years
• Path to settlement after 5 continuous years
• Brings spouse/partner + dependent children
• Switchable to other routes (Global Talent, Innovator, Family) without leaving the UK

To qualify you must:

• ✓ Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
• ✓ Hold a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued in the last 3 months
• ✓ Be working in an eligible occupation at RQF 3 or above (skill level "A-level equivalent")
• ✓ Earn at least the higher of (a) £38,700 general threshold or (b) the going rate for the occupation code
• ✓ Prove English at B1 (CEFR) — IELTS Life Skills, degree taught in English, or national of an English-majority country
• ✓ Show £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days (waived if your sponsor certifies maintenance)
• ✓ Pass TB screening if you've lived in a listed country for 6+ months

The UK overhauled salary thresholds in spring 2024 and they apply through 2026:

General threshold: £38,700/year (£15.88/hour) Going rate: Whichever is higher between the general threshold and the published going rate for your SOC code Health & Care discount: Eligible health workers keep a lower £29,000 threshold New entrants: Recent graduates and under-26s may use a 30% discount on the general threshold for up to 4 years Shortage Occupation List: Replaced by the Immigration Salary List — a smaller, narrower list with capped discounts

1. Secure a sponsored job — confirm the employer holds a Worker sponsor licence on the Home Office register.

2. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship — a 6-digit reference. Use it within 3 months.

3. Gather your documents — passport, CoS, proof of English, financial evidence, TB test, dependant marriage/birth certificates.

4. Apply online at gov.uk. You'll create a UKVI account, complete the form, and pay your fees + Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

5. Book biometrics at a VFS centre in your country, OR scan via the UK Immigration: ID Check app if you're eligible.

6. Decision — standard processing is 3 weeks from outside the UK; faster Priority (5 working days) and Super-Priority (next-working-day) services cost extra.

7. Collect your BRP / link your eVisa — from spring 2025 the UK is moving to digital-only eVisas linked to your passport.

UK Government Fees (per applicant):

Workium service: £2,700 covers eligibility audit, employer-side liaison, document review, application drafting, and post-decision onboarding (BRP/eVisa, NI number, GP registration).

Your spouse/civil partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants — either at the same time or after you arrive.

Required for each dependant:

• Relationship evidence (marriage / birth certificate)
• £285 (partner) or £315 (child) per applicant towards maintenance — alternatively, the main applicant shows additional savings
• Their own £1,035/year IHS
• Same visa fee structure as the main applicant

Dependant partners can work full-time in any role (no sponsor needed) and study without restriction.

Within the first month:

• Register with a GP (NHS) using your UK address
• Apply for a National Insurance Number if your BRP doesn't already show one
• Open a UK bank account (Monzo, Starling, HSBC Skilled Worker accounts open with a BRP/eVisa)
• If your role changes employer/occupation/salary band, you must apply for a change of employment before you start

Path to settlement: After 5 years of continuous Skilled Worker residence, salary at or above the going rate, and Life in the UK Test pass, you can apply for ILR (£3,029).