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UK Skilled Worker Visa — Requirements, Fees & How to Apply in 2026

Complete guide to the UK Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2). Learn about sponsorship requirements, fees (£719+), salary thresholds, the Shortage Occupation List, and how to apply.

Overview

The UK Skilled Worker visa (formerly the Tier 2 General visa) is the main route for overseas workers to come to the UK for employment. It allows you to live and work in the UK for a licensed employer in an eligible skilled role. The Skilled Worker route is by far the most popular work visa, with over 100,000 visas granted each year.

This visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 as part of the UK’s post-Brexit points-based immigration system.

Sponsorship requirement

You must have a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence before you can apply. You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa speculatively — the employer-sponsor relationship is central to this route.

Your employer will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), an electronic record with a unique reference number. The CoS contains details about your role, salary, and working conditions. It is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Finding a licensed sponsor

The Home Office publishes a register of licensed sponsors that you can search. Only employers on this list can sponsor Skilled Worker visas. If your prospective employer is not on the list, they will need to apply for a sponsor licence before they can hire you.

Salary threshold

The general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa is £38,700 per year (or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher). This threshold was raised from £26,200 in April 2024 as part of the government’s efforts to reduce net migration.

Reduced salary thresholds

Lower thresholds may apply in certain circumstances:

  • Immigration Salary List — roles on this list (which replaced the Shortage Occupation List) have a reduced threshold of £30,960
  • New entrants — if you are under 26, switching from a Student or Graduate visa, or in a postdoctoral position, the threshold is £30,960
  • Health and education roles — certain NHS and teaching roles use national pay scales rather than the general threshold
  • PhD-level occupations — some roles requiring a PhD have a reduced going rate

Shortage Occupation List / Immigration Salary List

The Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List) identifies occupations where the UK has a recognised shortage of workers. Roles on this list benefit from:

  • A lower salary threshold (£30,960 instead of £38,700)
  • Lower visa fees in some cases
  • Priority in CoS allocation

The list is reviewed periodically by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Notable occupations that have appeared on recent lists include nurses, software developers, engineers, and care workers.

Switching from another visa

You can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK if you currently hold most visa types, including:

  • Student visa — commonly done after graduating and securing employment
  • Graduate visa — a natural progression after the 2-year post-study work period
  • Intra-company visas — if you change to a role with a different sponsor
  • Other work visas — including the former Tier 5 categories

You cannot switch from a Standard Visitor visa, a short-term student visa, or if you have no leave to remain.

Path to settlement

The Skilled Worker visa provides a clear route to permanent residence in the UK:

StageRequirement
Initial visaUp to 5 years
ExtensionsUnlimited, as long as you meet requirements
ILR (settlement)After 5 years continuous residence
British citizenship1 year after ILR (if eligible)

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain, you must have been employed continuously in an eligible role, meet the salary threshold at the time of your ILR application, and pass the Life in the UK test.

Working conditions

On a Skilled Worker visa, you can:

  • Work for your sponsoring employer in the role specified on your CoS
  • Take on supplementary employment (up to 20 hours per week in a job at the same skill level)
  • Do voluntary work
  • Study alongside your employment
  • Access the NHS (covered by your IHS payment)

You cannot claim most public funds (benefits) unless you have been granted settlement.

How to Apply

  1. 1

    Secure a job offer with a licensed sponsor

    Find an employer who holds a Home Office sponsor licence and is willing to sponsor you. The employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the specific role.

  2. 2

    Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship

    Your employer requests a CoS from the Home Office. Once approved, you'll receive a CoS reference number to use in your visa application. The CoS is valid for 3 months.

  3. 3

    Check you meet the requirements

    Confirm you meet the salary threshold (£38,700 or the going rate), English language requirement, and maintenance funds requirement before applying.

  4. 4

    Apply online and pay fees

    Complete the online application on gov.uk. Pay the visa fee (£719 for up to 3 years) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year). Optional priority processing costs £500.

  5. 5

    Attend your biometrics appointment

    Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph. If applying from within the UK, you may use the UKVCAS app instead.

  6. 6

    Submit supporting documents

    Upload all supporting documents through the online portal. Ensure all documents are in English or accompanied by certified translations.

  7. 7

    Wait for a decision

    Standard processing takes around 8 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority processing delivers a decision within 5 working days for an additional £500.

  8. 8

    Receive your visa and enter the UK

    If approved, you'll receive a vignette in your passport valid for 90 days. After arriving in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a Post Office.

Fees

Fee type Amount
Application fee £719
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £1,035
Priority processing £500
Total £2,254

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must have a job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence
  • Your employer must have issued you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the role
  • The job must be at an appropriate skill level — RQF level 3 or above (equivalent to A-level)
  • You must be paid at least £38,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher
  • You must prove your knowledge of English to at least CEFR level B1 (intermediate)
  • You must have enough personal savings to support yourself — at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days
  • Your job must be in an eligible occupation code listed in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations
  • You must not have any unspent criminal convictions resulting in 12 months or more imprisonment

Required Documents

  • Valid passport or travel document
  • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your employer
  • Proof of English language ability (test certificate, UK degree, or exempt nationality)
  • Bank statements showing at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance)
  • Criminal record certificate from any country you've lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (for certain jobs)
  • ATAS certificate (if your job involves research in a sensitive subject at PhD level or above)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applying from a listed country)
  • Previous passport pages showing your immigration history
  • Evidence of qualifications if your CoS lists them as a requirement for the role

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the UK Skilled Worker visa cost in 2026?
The Skilled Worker visa application fee is £719 for a visa of up to 3 years, or £1,420 for a visa longer than 3 years. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. For a 3-year visa, the total minimum cost is approximately £3,824. Priority processing adds £500.
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
The general salary threshold is £38,700 per year or the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. Reduced thresholds apply in some cases — for example, £30,960 for jobs on the Immigration Salary List, or for new entrants to the labour market (those under 26, in postdoctoral roles, or switching from a Student visa).
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK?
Yes, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from most visa categories while in the UK, including Student, Graduate, and other work visas. You cannot switch from a Standard Visitor visa, short-term student visa, or if you're in the UK on immigration bail.
Can my family join me on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each dependant pays their own visa fee and IHS. Your dependants will have full work rights in the UK.
How long can I stay on a Skilled Worker visa?
The Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time. There is no maximum total stay — you can keep extending as long as you still meet the requirements. After 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement).
What happens if I lose my job on a Skilled Worker visa?
If your employment ends, your sponsor must notify the Home Office. You then have 60 days (or until your visa expires, whichever is shorter) to find a new sponsor, switch to another visa category, or leave the UK. During this period, you cannot work.