Skilled Worker

•  Overview
• Eligibility
• How to Apply
• Costs
• If You Work in Healthcare or Education
• Document Requirements
• Your Partner and Children
• Applying from Inside or Outside the UK
• Switching to the Skilled Worker Visa
• Taking on Additional Work
• Extending Your Visa
• If You Change Your Job or Employer
• FAQs

1. Overview

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to live and work in the UK if you meet specific eligibility criteria, replacing the former Tier 2 (General) work visa. It permits work in UK waters and qualifies you for certain jobs with approved UK employers.

2. Eligibility

Requirement	Details
Job	Approved employer and job offer in an eligible occupation.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)	Must be issued by your employer.
Minimum Salary	Based on job type; generally, £38,700 per year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher.
Knowledge of English	Must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English.

3. How to Apply

You must apply online. The process depends on your current location:

Application Type	Timeframe for Decision
Outside the UK	Within 3 weeks
Inside the UK (extension/switch)	Within 8 weeks

For faster decisions, priority services may be available. To apply, gather your CoS, salary details, job title, and English proficiency evidence.

4. Costs

Type	Fees
Visa Application (up to 3 years)	£719 (outside UK), £827 (inside UK)
Visa Application (more than 3 years)	£1,420 (outside UK), £1,636 (inside UK)
Healthcare Surcharge	£1,035 per year
Personal Savings Requirement	£1,270 (proof needed unless employer confirms sponsorship)

If your job is on the immigration salary list, the fees may be reduced.

5. If You Work in Healthcare or Education

Different salary rules apply to certain healthcare and education jobs, which follow national pay scales. For eligible roles, salaries must meet the going rate for these jobs.

6. Document Requirements

To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you need:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference
• Proof of English proficiency
• Passport and identification
• Job details, including salary and occupation code
• Proof of savings (unless employer sponsors you)

Additional documents may be required, including criminal records for certain professions.

7. Your Partner and Children

Your dependants can apply to join or remain with you in the UK if eligible. They must apply separately and meet financial requirements.

Family Member	Required Savings
Partner	£285
Child (first)	£315
Each additional child	£200

8. Applying from Inside or Outside the UK

Applications are made online, with identity verification either through the UK Immigration ID Check app or at a visa application centre.

Shams BritVisa Lawyers Ltd can assist in preparing documents and advising on eligibility.

9. Switching to the Skilled Worker Visa

If you are in the UK on a different visa, you might be eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker visa, provided you meet the requirements.

Fees

The visa fee and healthcare surcharge still apply, and if you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you will need to provide proof of sufficient personal savings.

10. Taking on Additional Work

You may take on extra paid work (up to 20 hours weekly) if it’s in the same occupation code, or volunteer. For a second job exceeding 20 hours, you must update your visa.

11. Extending Your Visa

You can extend your Skilled Worker visa if you:

• Continue with the same job and employer
• Maintain the same occupation code

12. If You Change Your Job or Employer

You must update your visa if you change jobs or employers. Make sure your new role meets eligibility requirements and that you have a new certificate of sponsorship.