Legal service
Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors
The Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored work route for an eligible job with an approved UK employer. The role, salary, English-language evidence and applicant’s immigration history need to be considered together before an application is prepared.
Skilled Worker Visa
Understanding a sponsored work application
Discuss your Skilled Worker Visa enquirySources checked on . This general information does not assess your individual circumstances.
Who the route is for
A Skilled Worker application requires a qualifying job and a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer. A job offer on its own is not enough, and the certificate is an electronic sponsorship record rather than immigration permission.
The route can be relevant to someone applying from overseas or, where permitted, changing status in the UK. Extension and change-of-employer applications have different considerations. Existing permission and earlier sponsorship may affect the applicable rules.
The job, occupation code and salary
Eligibility depends on the occupation code and the role’s actual duties. Current guidance distinguishes higher-skilled and medium-skilled occupations. Medium-skilled roles require particular eligibility, such as inclusion on an applicable list or a relevant transitional provision; they are not all open to new applicants.
As checked on 12 October 2026, the usual salary requirement is at least £41,700 a year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher. This is not a universal figure for every case: healthcare and education pay rules, qualifying discounts and transitional arrangements can change the assessment.
Some applicants, including qualifying new entrants or people with relevant doctoral qualifications, may be eligible under different salary provisions. A first certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024 can be relevant to transitional salary treatment, subject to the continuity and other conditions. The occupation, salary option and immigration history must be checked together rather than choosing the lowest figure from a table.
English-language evidence and exceptions
Current Skilled Worker guidance requires B2 English for a new application where evidence is required. A qualification, an approved language test or an applicable exemption may be relevant.
For someone who held this visa before 8 January 2026 and is extending or updating it, official guidance retains B1 treatment and says evidence does not need to be provided again. Switching from another route needs a separate check; Health and Care Worker switching has its own treatment. Do not assume that every previous visa proves the current English requirement.
Documents and information for the application
The core information connects the individual to the sponsored job. Further evidence depends on the role, nationality, location and personal circumstances. Documents not in English or Welsh require certified translations.
Some applicants need evidence of personal savings unless an exemption or sponsor certification applies. Certain jobs or circumstances also require criminal-record, tuberculosis or ATAS evidence; these are not universal requirements.
- Certificate of sponsorship reference and employer sponsor licence details.
- Passport or another acceptable identity and nationality document.
- Job title, salary and occupation code.
- English-language evidence where required, plus any applicable financial or additional evidence.
Applying, switching and changing a job
The application is made online, with identity checks and supporting evidence as instructed. Check whether you should apply from abroad, extend your existing permission or apply to update it because the job or employer is changing.
You cannot switch to Skilled Worker from some UK statuses, including visitor permission or immigration bail. Students have additional switching conditions. A change of employer normally requires a new sponsored application; do not assume the old permission covers the new job.
Highfin’s existing Skilled Worker material describes eligibility and evidence advice. You can ask about reviewing the route, documents and any earlier sponsorship. Agree the specific work with the firm; no decision, processing time or job start is guaranteed.
Dependants and longer-term plans
Partners and children may be eligible to apply as dependants, but restrictions apply to some care-worker and medium-skilled cases, alongside specific exceptions and transitional arrangements. Family members make separate applications; their permission does not automatically extend when the worker’s does.
Settlement may be possible after a qualifying period, but it is not automatic. Residence, sponsorship, salary and the other settlement requirements must be met at the time of the application.
Official guidance
- Government charges
- Application fees vary with the circumstances. The immigration health surcharge and evidence of financial support may also be relevant; Health and Care Worker cases have distinct arrangements.
- Advice for worker or employer
- Confirm whether Highfin is being asked to advise the individual, the employer or both, and what the instruction includes. No fee, employer payment arrangement or responsible solicitor is assumed in this page.
- Time-sensitive changes
- Identify your current permission’s expiry date and any planned change of employer. Check the current application and travel conditions rather than treating a job offer as permission to start work.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions
Is £41,700 the salary requirement for every Skilled Worker applicant?
No. It is the usual current threshold, alongside the occupation’s going rate. Qualifying discounts, healthcare or education rules and transitional arrangements can produce different requirements; the applicable option needs to be checked.
Do I need a fresh English test to extend my visa?
Not always. Official guidance includes treatment for people who held Skilled Worker permission before 8 January 2026 and for those who have already established English knowledge. Check the extension, update or switching category before booking a test.
Can I switch from a visitor visa while in the UK?
No. Visitor permission is among the statuses from which switching to Skilled Worker is not allowed. The appropriate application location and any other route need to be considered.
Can my partner and children always join me?
No. Dependants must meet their own requirements, and restrictions apply to some occupations, including care-worker and medium-skilled roles. Transitional rules and specific child-related exceptions need individual consideration.
Does this visa guarantee settlement after five years?
No. Settlement is a separate application. A qualifying residence period is only one part of the assessment; the employment, salary and other requirements still apply.
Your next step · Skilled Worker Visa
Let’s start with
a conversation.
Enquire about Skilled Worker Visa using the Contact page enquiry section.
Use the enquiry form or our telephone or email contact details.
View enquiry formReturn to Business Immigration