🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Skilled Worker
The main UK work route. A Home Office licensed sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship for a graduate-level job, and the visa counts toward settlement after five years.
UK Skilled Worker Visa
At a glance
- Sponsor
- Yes, licensed sponsor
- Lottery
- No
- Residence
- Yes, ILR after 5 years
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Processing
- 3 weeks outside UK, 8 weeks inside
What this visa is
The Skilled Worker visa replaced Tier 2 (General) and is the workhorse of UK immigration. There is no cap and no lottery: if a licensed sponsor offers you a job at RQF level 6 or above, the salary clears both the general floor and the occupation going rate, and you can show English at B1, the visa is issued. Grants run up to five years at a time and time spent on the route counts toward Indefinite Leave to Remain.
After leaving the EU, the UK replaced free movement with a single points-based system so employers of any size could recruit globally without a quota.
Who it is for
Graduates and professionals with a confirmed UK job offer from an employer on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors. It is the most common route out of the Graduate visa.
Why people choose it
No cap, no lottery
Applications are decided on the rules, not a random draw.
Counts toward settlement
Five continuous years leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Family included
Partner and children can join with full work and study rights.
Reduced thresholds
New entrants, PhD holders and shortage roles get lower salary floors.
Supplementary work
Up to 20 hours a week of extra work outside your sponsored job.
Switch in-country
Most people switch from Student or Graduate without leaving the UK.
Self-assessment
Tick what already applies to you.
Documents you will gather
9 items. Track them as you collect each one.
0 of 9 ready
How the process runs
Step 1
Job offer
Employer confirms the role, salary and occupation code.
Step 2
Certificate of Sponsorship
Sponsor assigns a CoS, usually within a few days.
Step 3
Online application
Complete the form, pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Step 4
Biometrics
Attend a visa application centre or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
Step 5
Decision
3 weeks from outside the UK, 8 weeks from inside (priority services available).
Step 6
Arrival
Collect your BRP or view your eVisa and start work.
What it costs
Application fee (3 years)
£769 - £885
Lower for shortage occupation roles.
Application fee (5 years)
£1,519 - £1,751
Charged per person.
Immigration Health Surcharge
£1,035 per adult per year
£776 for under-18s and students.
Priority processing
£500 - £1,000
Optional, 5-day or next-day decision.
English test and Ecctis
£150 - £250
Only if a degree in English is not accepted.
Fees change regularly. Figures are indicative and for educational purposes only, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Yes, but the new employer must be a licensed sponsor and you must apply to update your visa before starting.
Other United Kingdom routes
Graduate Route
Unsponsored post-study work permission for anyone who completed an eligible UK degree. The bridge between graduation and a sponsored role.
Read guideGlobal Talent
An unsponsored visa for leaders and potential leaders in research, academia, arts, culture and digital technology. The closest UK equivalent to the U.S. O-1.
Read guideScale-up
A sponsored route with only six months of tied employment, then complete freedom to work for anyone in the UK.
Read guideWant a read on your odds?
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