UK Skilled Worker visa: requirements, costs and how to prepare

What happened to the shortage occupation list?

The old shortage occupation list (SOL) no longer exists. Since 4 April 2024 it has been replaced by the Immigration Salary List(opens in a new tab) (ISL). Jobs on the ISL have a lower minimum salary and a lower visa fee. Some entries only apply in part of the UK, so check whether your job is listed UK-wide or only in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Since 22 July 2025 there is also a Temporary Shortage List(opens in a new tab) (TSL). New applicants can be sponsored for a job classed as “medium skilled” only if it is on the ISL or the TSL. Some list entries only cover specific job types, so read the wording of the entry for your occupation code carefully.

Sources: Immigration Salary List(opens in a new tab)·Temporary Shortage List(opens in a new tab)·Skilled Worker visa: your job(opens in a new tab)

Who can apply

To qualify, you must:

• work for a UK employer that the Home Office has approved — you can check the register of licensed sponsors(opens in a new tab)
• have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from that employer, with details of the role you have been offered
• do a job whose occupation code is on the list of eligible occupations(opens in a new tab)
• be paid at least the minimum salary for your job (see below)
• be able to speak, read, write and understand English to the required level

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply. The visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend it, and after 5 years you may be able to apply to settle (indefinite leave to remain(opens in a new tab)).

Sources: Skilled Worker visa overview(opens in a new tab)·Your job(opens in a new tab)

Check your job’s occupation code

Every job has a 4-digit occupation code. If you have an offer, ask your employer which code they will use. Otherwise you can search for your job title in the CASCOT occupation coding tool(opens in a new tab) — make sure the code’s description matches what you will actually be doing.

Then look the code up in the eligible occupations table(opens in a new tab). Codes listed as “higher skilled” are eligible. Codes listed as “medium skilled” are eligible for new applicants only when the job is on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List.

Sources: Your job(opens in a new tab)·Eligible occupations(opens in a new tab)·Appendix Skilled Occupations(opens in a new tab)

Salary requirements

You will usually need to be paid at least £41,700 a year or the “going rate” for your occupation code, whichever is higher. Each code has its own going rate in the going rates table(opens in a new tab). Going rates assume a 37.5-hour week, so they are adjusted for other working patterns. Your employer must also pay at least the minimum wage.

You may be able to be paid less in some situations, for example:

• your job is on the Immigration Salary List — you must be paid at least £33,400 a year and still at least the going rate
• you are under 26, a recent graduate or student, or in professional training — you can be paid 70% of the going rate if your salary is at least £33,400
• you have a PhD relevant to your job, or a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
• you work in an eligible healthcare or education job(opens in a new tab) — national pay scales apply, with a minimum of £25,000

The exact rules and percentages are on GOV.UK’s “when you can be paid less”(opens in a new tab) page. Lower thresholds also apply to some people extending or updating a visa they first got before 4 April 2024.

Sources: Your job(opens in a new tab)·When you can be paid less(opens in a new tab)·Going rates for eligible occupations(opens in a new tab)

English language requirement

New applicants need English at level B2 on the CEFR scale (reading, writing, speaking and understanding). You can usually prove this with:

• a GCSE, A level or equivalent Scottish qualification from a UK school you started before 18
• a degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution
• a degree taught in English from outside the UK, confirmed through Ecctis(opens in a new tab)
• a pass in a Secure English Language Test (SELT)(opens in a new tab) from an approved provider

Nationals of some countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, do not need to prove their English. People who held this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it need B1. See the full English requirements(opens in a new tab).

Sources: Knowledge of English(opens in a new tab)

How much it costs

Each applicant (you, and each partner or child) normally pays:

• an application fee — from outside the UK, £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for longer; from inside the UK, £943 or £1,865
• a lower fee if the job is on the Immigration Salary List — £628 for up to 3 years or £1,235 for longer
• the immigration health surcharge(opens in a new tab) — usually £1,035 for each year of the visa
• proof of at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 days in a row — unless you have been in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or your employer certifies they will support you

Your employer pays its own sponsorship costs, including the immigration skills charge — GOV.UK says sponsors must pay that charge themselves. Be wary of anyone asking you to pay for a job offer or a certificate of sponsorship.

Sources: How much it costs(opens in a new tab)·UK visa sponsorship for employers(opens in a new tab)

Documents you’ll need

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number (from your employer)
• proof of your English
• a valid passport or other identity and nationality document
• your job title, annual salary and occupation code
• your employer’s name and sponsor licence number (shown on your CoS)

Depending on your circumstances you may also need:

• bank statements showing your savings, unless your employer is supporting you
• proof of your relationship with a partner or children applying with you
• tuberculosis test results(opens in a new tab) if you are from a listed country
• a criminal record certificate if you are applying from outside the UK for some education, healthcare, therapy or social services jobs
• an ATAS certificate for some PhD-level research roles
• certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh

Sources: Documents you’ll need to apply(opens in a new tab)

How to prepare: a step-by-step checklist

• Target licensed sponsors — check the employer is on the register (Route to Sponsor shows this for each job) and read what the advert says about sponsorship.
• Work out your occupation code and check it is eligible, and whether it is higher or medium skilled.
• Compare the salary with £41,700 and your code’s going rate — or the Immigration Salary List rate if it applies.
• Sort out your English evidence early: book a SELT, or apply to Ecctis for an overseas degree.
• Start saving the maintenance funds so they have been in your account for 28 days when you apply.
• Check whether you need a TB test or criminal record certificates, which can take time to arrange.
• Make sure your passport is valid, and gather translations of documents not in English.
• Once you have a job offer and your certificate of sponsorship, apply online — no more than 3 months before the start date on your CoS.

Sources: Skilled Worker visa overview(opens in a new tab)·Documents you’ll need to apply(opens in a new tab)

Applying and getting a decision

You apply online. As part of the application you prove your identity, either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by having your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre — you will be told which when you apply. A decision usually takes about 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK, once you have proved your identity and provided your documents. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.

Already in the UK on another visa? You may be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa(opens in a new tab) without leaving — but not from a visit visa or some other routes, and Student visa holders must usually have finished their course first.

Sources: Apply from outside the UK(opens in a new tab)·Switch to this visa(opens in a new tab)

Bringing your partner and children

Your partner and children may be able to apply as your dependants, each with their own application and fees. There are restrictions if you are sponsored as a care worker or senior care worker, or for a job listed as medium skilled — check the partner and children rules(opens in a new tab) before you plan a move.

Sources: Your partner and children(opens in a new tab)

After you arrive: changing jobs and extending

• If you change employer, or move to a job with a different occupation code, you must update your visa(opens in a new tab) with a new certificate of sponsorship.
• You can do unlimited overtime in your sponsored job, and some additional work of up to 20 hours a week(opens in a new tab) if it meets the conditions.
• You can extend your visa(opens in a new tab) while you keep meeting the requirements, and after 5 years you may be able to apply to settle.

Sources: Update your visa(opens in a new tab)·Taking on additional work(opens in a new tab)·Extend your visa(opens in a new tab)

Getting reliable help

Only take immigration advice from a regulated adviser — you can find a registered immigration adviser on GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). For questions about your application you can contact UK Visas and Immigration(opens in a new tab). If you are not sure the Skilled Worker visa is right for you, check which visa you need(opens in a new tab).

Sources: Find an immigration adviser(opens in a new tab)·Contact UKVI(opens in a new tab)