The Skilled Worker Visa is the UK's principal sponsored work route, replacing Tier 2 (General) in December 2020. This 2026 guide covers the £41,700 general salary threshold, the B2 English standard in force since 8 January 2026, the RQF Level 6 skill rule applied from 22 July 2025, the 70-point scoring system, complete fee schedule, dependant rules, and the route to settlement. Whether you arrived expecting Tier 2 information or you're an employer planning sponsorship, the structure below mirrors how UKVI caseworkers actually assess applications under Appendix Skilled Worker.
A Skilled Worker Visa lets non-British, non-Irish nationals work in the UK for an employer holding a Home Office sponsor licence. Each grant lasts up to 5 years, extensions are unlimited, and the route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of continuous residence. From January 2026 first-time applicants must meet a B2 English standard and earn at least £41,700 or the published going rate — whichever is higher.
Skilled Worker Visa UK 2026: Sponsored Route to Live and Work in Britain
The Skilled Worker route sits at the centre of the UK's points-based immigration system. According to the latest Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending September 2025, only 11,733 Skilled Worker visas were issued to main applicants in Q3 2025 — the lowest quarterly figure in three years and a direct consequence of the April 2024 salary uplift, the July 2025 skill-level reset, and the January 2026 English language increase. Applications now sit under tighter scrutiny than at any time since the route launched.
The government's "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" White Paper, published in April 2026, proposes extending the standard qualifying period for settlement from 5 years to 10 years for most work routes including Skilled Worker. The change is not yet in force. Earned-settlement concessions for high contributors are being designed alongside it. Until the policy is implemented through changes to Appendix Skilled Worker, the existing 5-year qualifying period continues to apply. Anyone within reach of ILR under current rules should keep a close eye on Statement of Changes timing.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa? (Formerly Tier 2 General)
The Skilled Worker Visa is the UK's main employer-sponsored work permission, allowing non-British, non-Irish nationals to take an eligible skilled job with a licensed UK sponsor for up to 5 years per grant. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) route in December 2020 and is governed by Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules. It permits unlimited extensions, dependants in most cases, and leads to settlement.
The route is open to nationals from outside the UK and Ireland, including EEA and Swiss citizens who do not hold pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Irish nationals continue to work under the Common Travel Area without a visa. Holders may travel in and out of the UK freely, study alongside their sponsored job, switch employers (with a new Certificate of Sponsorship), and bring eligible dependants — subject to the dependant restrictions explained below. Multinational firms transferring existing staff to UK operations should compare the Skilled Worker route against the GBM transfer routes for multinationals, which carry different salary and skill rules tailored to intra-corporate movements.
From Tier 2 (General) to Skilled Worker: What Changed
Many overseas applicants still search for "Tier 2" — the legacy name retired five years ago. The transition was substantive rather than cosmetic. The Resident Labour Market Test was abolished. The annual cap on sponsored worker numbers was lifted. The points system became more transparent with mandatory and tradeable elements clearly demarcated. Existing Tier 2 (General) holders moved into the Skilled Worker framework automatically and can still apply for extensions, change of employment, and settlement under Skilled Worker rules. So if you held Tier 2 (General) permission before December 2020, your continuous residence still counts toward ILR under the Skilled Worker route.
Key Features of the Skilled Worker Route
- Grant length: Up to 5 years per application, extendable indefinitely
- Pathway to settlement: Eligible for permanent UK residency status after qualifying residence
- Dependants: Spouse or unmarried partner and children under 18 (except TSL workers)
- Employer switching: Permitted with a fresh CoS and new visa application
- Study alongside work: Allowed if it does not interfere with sponsored employment
- NHS access: Through the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Second job: Up to 20 hours weekly in the same SOC code, or any hours on the Immigration Salary List
2026 Skilled Worker Visa Requirements
Applicants must accumulate 70 points: 50 mandatory points plus 20 tradeable points. The framework lives in paragraphs SW 1.1 to SW 16.2 of Appendix Skilled Worker and is interpreted day-to-day through UKVI's caseworker manual.
The 70-Point Scoring System
| Requirement | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer | 20 | Mandatory |
| Job at appropriate skill level (RQF 6+) | 20 | Mandatory |
| English language proficiency at B2 | 10 | Mandatory |
| Salary at or above the relevant threshold | 20 | Tradeable |
| Total required | 70 | — |
Skill Level: Why RQF 6 Matters
Since 22 July 2025, new Skilled Worker sponsorship is restricted to jobs at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above. Sub-degree roles at RQF 3–5 are sponsorable only where the occupation appears on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, or where a transitional provision protects an existing worker continuing in the same role.
Each role is mapped to a four-digit Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) code, and the sponsor must select the code that matches the day-to-day duties rather than the job title. Miscoding is one of the most common refusal grounds — Home Office caseworkers compare the CoS narrative against the duties typical of the chosen code, and inconsistency triggers genuineness concerns. The current list of eligible RQF Level 6 occupations covers most degree-entry professional roles plus a defined set of medium-skilled jobs preserved through shortage routes.
English Language: B2 Standard from January 2026
From 8 January 2026, first-time Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B2 across reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Extensions remain at B1. The B2 standard maps to roughly IELTS 5.5–6.5 per component on an IELTS for UKVI Academic test.
Applicants meet the standard through one of the approved Secure English Language Test routes: passing an approved SELT (IELTS UKVI, Pearson PTE, LanguageCert, or Trinity), holding a degree taught in English verified by UK ENIC, or being a national of a majority English-speaking country listed in Appendix English Language. Note that the B2 increase applies only to new entry-clearance and switching applications — workers extending their existing Skilled Worker permission remain assessed at B1.
IELTS Band Equivalents
| Skill | B1 (Extensions) | B2 (New Applications) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Writing | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Speaking | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Listening | 4.0 | 5.5 |
Sponsorship and the Certificate of Sponsorship
Every applicant must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer on the public sponsor register. The CoS is an electronic record, not a physical document, with a unique reference number capturing the role, SOC code, salary, working hours, and start and end dates. Applicants then have 3 months from CoS assignment to submit the visa application. The employer's sponsor licence compliance obligations include reporting changes to the worker's circumstances, retaining specified documents, and notifying any unauthorised absence. Employers in NHS trusts and adult social care should also assess whether the worker qualifies for the clinical and care sponsorship route, which carries lower fees and full IHS exemption.
Financial Requirement: £1,270 Maintenance Funds
The applicant must show at least £1,270 held in available funds for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date. The requirement is waived if the sponsor confirms on the CoS that they will support the applicant for the first month in the UK (up to £1,270), or if the applicant has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more. Dependants need a further £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child, and £200 for each additional child, held under the same timing rules.
Salary Thresholds and Going Rates for 2026
The general 2026 detailed salary threshold breakdown sets the floor at £41,700 a year or the published going rate for the SOC code — whichever is higher — with a minimum hourly rate of £17.13. Reduced floors apply for new entrants (£33,400), relevant PhD holders (£37,500), STEM PhDs and ISL roles (£33,400), and health and education occupations on Table 2 (£31,300).
There is no single flat figure: the salary you must be paid is whichever produces the higher amount when comparing the general threshold against the SOC-specific going rate. Going rates come from ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data and are republished annually in Appendix Skilled Occupations Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4.
2026 Salary Threshold Options
| Option | Minimum Salary | Going Rate % |
|---|---|---|
| Option A: Standard | £41,700 | 100% |
| Option B: Relevant PhD | £37,500 | 90% |
| Option C: STEM PhD | £33,400 | 80% |
| Option D: Immigration Salary List role | £33,400 | 80% |
| Option E: New Entrant | £33,400 | 70% |
| Option F: Health & Education (Table 2) | £31,300 | 100% |
| Transitional (pre-April 2024 cohort) | £31,300 | Varies |
How the Going Rate Works in Practice: SOC 6131 Example
Take SOC 6131 (Veterinary Nurses), a code that draws steady search interest. Under Option A, the applicant must be paid the higher of £41,700 or 100% of the Table 1 going rate for 6131. If the published 6131 going rate sits at £26,300 for a 37.5-hour week, the applicant must still be paid £41,700 — because £41,700 is higher. If the same applicant qualifies under Option E (new entrant), they need the higher of £33,400 or 70% of £26,300 (£18,410) — so £33,400 governs. The threshold floors override the percentage discounts whenever the going rate is low.
Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List
The Immigration Salary List covers a short list of occupations where the Migration Advisory Committee has identified shortage, attracting a 20% going-rate discount and reduced application fees. The current ISL is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026 unless renewed. The Temporary Shortage List, introduced on 22 July 2025, preserves around 52 RQF 3–5 occupations that would otherwise have lost eligibility under the new skill rules. TSL workers face a critical restriction: dependants are not permitted. The TSL is under continuous review by the MAC and is expected to taper.
How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
Applications are submitted online through the gov.uk portal. You can apply up to 3 months before your intended start date in the UK. Applicants outside the UK apply for entry clearance; those switching in-country apply for permission to stay if eligible.
- Step 1: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer
- Step 2: Complete the online visa application on gov.uk
- Step 3: Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 4: Enrol biometrics at a Visa Application Centre or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app where eligible
- Step 5: Upload supporting documents (passport, English evidence, TB test if required, financial evidence if not sponsor-supported)
- Step 6: Await decision — 3 weeks standard out-of-country, up to 8 weeks in-country
- Step 7: Receive eVisa confirmation and travel to the UK
Documents You Will Need
- Valid passport covering the planned period of stay
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from your employer
- English language evidence: SELT certificate, UK ENIC degree confirmation, or proof of majority-English-speaking nationality
- Financial evidence: bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 consecutive days (unless waived)
- TB test results if you have lived for 6+ months in a listed country
- ACRO police clearance: required for health, education, and certain regulated occupations — see our ACRO police clearance certificates guide
- UK ENIC academic evaluation if relying on an overseas degree for English language
Processing Times
Standard decision timelines after enrolling biometrics are 3 weeks (15 working days) for out-of-country applications and up to 8 weeks for in-country applications. For applicants who need a faster outcome, the 5-working-day Priority service costs an additional £500, and Super Priority targets a decision by the next working day for £1,000. Some Skilled Worker applicants are interviewed during processing — see our Skilled Worker credibility interview preparation guide for typical questions. Applicants complete submission through the online entry clearance application portal, and refused applicants should review the common Skilled Worker refusal triggers before re-applying.
Skilled Worker Visa Fees 2026
Total cost depends on grant length, ISL status, dependants, and whether priority processing is purchased. The complete UK work visa cost breakdown also covers employer-paid items: the £525 CoS assignment fee, the Immigration Skills Charge (which rose 32% to £1,320 per year for large sponsors in April 2025), and the £1,035 annual £1,035 annual NHS levy for each visa-holder including dependants.
A 3-year Skilled Worker Visa costs £769 plus £3,105 IHS (£1,035 × 3) — £3,874 for the applicant. A 5-year visa costs £1,519 plus £5,175 IHS — £6,694. Employers separately pay £525 for the CoS and either £1,320 per year (large sponsors) or £480 per year (small sponsors) Immigration Skills Charge. ISL occupations attract reduced visa fees (£590 / £1,160) and are exempt from the ISC.
| Fee Component | 2026 Amount | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (3 years or less) | £769 | Applicant |
| Visa fee (more than 3 years) | £1,519 | Applicant |
| ISL visa fee (3 years or less) | £590 | Applicant |
| ISL visa fee (more than 3 years) | £1,160 | Applicant |
| Immigration Health Surcharge per year | £1,035 | Applicant |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge (large sponsor) | £1,320 / year | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge (small sponsor) | £480 / year | Employer |
| Priority service | +£500 | Applicant |
| Super Priority service | +£1,000 | Applicant |
Dependants pay the same per-applicant visa fee and IHS as the main applicant. The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to ISL occupations, in-country extensions for the same sponsor, or workers who were under 26 on the date the CoS was assigned where specific exemptions apply.
Working and Living on a Skilled Worker Visa
Once your visa is granted, your rights and restrictions are set by the conditions stamped on your eVisa. Knowing where the lines fall protects both your immigration status and your sponsor's licence.
What You Can Do
- Work for your sponsor in the role described on your CoS
- Take a second job: up to 20 hours per week in the same SOC code, or any hours in a role on the ISL
- Volunteer without restriction
- Study any course that does not interfere with sponsored work
- Bring dependants — spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under 18 (TSL workers excluded)
- Travel in and out of the UK throughout your visa validity
- Use the NHS through the Immigration Health Surcharge paid up-front
- Apply for settlement once your qualifying residence is complete
Changing Employers
Yes — but you must submit a fresh Skilled Worker application with the new employer and wait for approval before starting work. The new sponsor must hold a valid licence and assign you a new Certificate of Sponsorship. Time on your previous Skilled Worker permission still counts toward ILR provided there is no break exceeding 180 days.
The application process mirrors a fresh entry-clearance application: full fees, IHS, biometrics if required, and the supporting evidence pack. You cannot begin the new role until the new visa is granted, so coordinate your end and start dates carefully with both employers.
Losing Your Job: The 60-Day Grace Period
If your employment ends, your sponsor must report this to UKVI. From the date of sponsorship cancellation you have 60 days to either secure a new sponsor and submit a new application, switch into another visa category for which you qualify, or leave the UK. You cannot work during this 60-day window. If no action is taken, your permission is curtailed and you become liable for overstay penalties — including a future re-entry ban under the general grounds for refusal.
Extending Your Visa
Extensions are made online from within the UK and can be granted for up to 5 years at a time. There is no cap on the number of extensions. The application costs the same as a fresh visa — £769 for grants of 3 years or less, £1,519 above that, plus IHS. Standard processing runs up to 8 weeks; priority and super priority options are available. To extend, you must still hold valid sponsorship in an eligible role meeting current salary and skill rules.
Settlement Pathway: ILR After Five Years
The most consequential feature of the Skilled Worker route is its pathway to Skilled Worker settlement criteria — Indefinite Leave to Remain. Settlement removes the time limit on your stay, severs the link to your sponsor, and unlocks the post-settlement citizenship pathway after a further 12 months as an ILR holder.
ILR as a Skilled Worker currently requires 5 years of continuous lawful residence, a salary of at least £41,700 (or the going rate for your SOC code) at application, a pass in the Life in the UK test, English at B1, no absence exceeding 180 days in any 12-month rolling period, a clean immigration and criminal record, and ongoing sponsorship in a qualifying role. The April 2026 White Paper proposes extending the qualifying period to 10 years for most workers.
- Qualifying residence: 5 years on Skilled Worker (and qualifying predecessor routes) — see our guide to the 180-day absence rule for settlement
- Salary at application: at least £41,700 or the going rate for your SOC code, whichever is higher
- Settlement knowledge: pass the settlement knowledge assessment
- English at B1: speaking and listening — degree-in-English or majority-English-nationality exemption available
- Absences: no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period
- Good character: no unspent convictions, no breaches of immigration law, no false representations
- Active sponsorship: still sponsored by a licensed employer in an eligible role at the date of application
The ILR application fee is £3,226 per person. Time on qualifying predecessor routes — including Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (ICT) for some cohorts, and certain other points-based routes — can count toward the 5-year requirement provided there is no break exceeding 180 days. For workers approaching settlement, we recommend reviewing post-Skilled Worker options such as the post-study Graduate route switching pathway if you originally arrived on a Student visa.
- General salary threshold sits at £41,700 or the SOC going rate — whichever is higher
- First-time applicants need B2 English from 8 January 2026; extensions stay at B1
- Jobs must meet RQF Level 6 from 22 July 2025, unless on the ISL or TSL
- Visa fees are £769 (up to 3 years) or £1,519 (longer), plus £1,035 IHS per year
- The Immigration Salary List is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026
- TSL workers cannot bring dependants
- ILR currently after 5 years — but the April 2026 White Paper proposes extending this to 10
For the canonical text of the rules, see Appendix Skilled Worker on gov.uk and the published Skilled Worker caseworker guidance used by UKVI decision-makers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 general minimum is £41,700 per year, but you must also meet the SOC code's going rate — whichever produces the higher figure. Reduced floors apply for new entrants (£33,400 with 70% going rate), relevant PhD holders (£37,500 with 90%), STEM PhDs and ISL roles (£33,400 with 80%), and Table 2 health and education roles (£31,300 at 100%).
From 8 January 2026, first-time applicants need CEFR Level B2 — roughly IELTS 5.5–6.0 across reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Extensions and switches from another Skilled Worker grant continue to require only B1. You can prove English through an approved SELT (IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic, LanguageCert, Trinity), a degree taught in English verified by UK ENIC, or majority-English-speaking nationality.
Standard processing is around 3 weeks (15 working days) for entry-clearance applications and up to 8 weeks for in-country extensions and switches. Priority service (£500 extra) targets 5 working days; Super Priority (£1,000 extra) targets the next working day, subject to availability at your Visa Application Centre or in-country biometric provider.
Most Skilled Worker holders can bring their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner and any children under 18 as dependants. Each dependant pays the same visa fee (£769 or £1,519) and IHS (£1,035 per year). Workers sponsored in occupations on the Temporary Shortage List cannot bring dependants. You must also show the additional maintenance funds: £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child, and £200 per further child.
Your sponsor must report the end of employment to UKVI. From the date sponsorship is cancelled you have 60 days to secure a new sponsor and submit a new visa application, switch into another visa category you qualify for, or leave the UK. You cannot work during the 60-day window. Failing to act in time leads to curtailment and exposes you to overstay consequences including a future re-entry ban.
For the applicant: a 3-year visa costs £3,874 (£769 fee + £3,105 IHS); a 5-year visa costs £6,694 (£1,519 + £5,175 IHS). The employer separately pays £525 for the Certificate of Sponsorship and the Immigration Skills Charge of £1,320 per year (large sponsors) or £480 per year (small sponsors). ISL occupations attract reduced applicant fees (£590 / £1,160) and no Immigration Skills Charge.
The Immigration Salary List identifies shortage occupations attracting reduced visa fees and a 20% going-rate discount. The ISL is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026 and may not be renewed. The Temporary Shortage List, introduced in July 2025, covers around 52 RQF 3–5 roles that would otherwise have lost eligibility under the higher skill threshold — but TSL workers cannot bring dependants and the list is under continuous review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Yes — Skilled Worker holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of continuous lawful residence, earning at least £41,700 (or the SOC going rate) at the time of application, passing the Life in the UK test, meeting English at B1, keeping absences under 180 days in any 12-month period, and remaining sponsored. The ILR fee is £3,226. The April 2026 White Paper proposes extending the qualifying period to 10 years — monitor Statement of Changes for implementation.
The Skilled Worker route replaced Tier 2 (General) on 1 December 2020. Existing Tier 2 holders moved into the Skilled Worker framework automatically and can apply for extensions, change of employment, and settlement under Skilled Worker rules. If you still see "Tier 2" referenced, it almost always means the current Skilled Worker route — the name is retired but commonly used in older online content and search queries.