The UK Skilled Worker visa remains one of the main routes for overseas professionals to work in the UK. Recent updates to the Immigration Rules have introduced clearer validity checks, stricter eligibility rules, and higher salary thresholds. As a result, it is now more important than ever for applicants and sponsors to understand the requirements before applying.
Below is a summary of the key Skilled Worker visa requirements based on the latest official UK government guidance.
Application and Validity Requirements
To be considered valid, a Skilled Worker visa application must meet all of the following conditions:
Applications must be submitted online via the official gov.uk website. Applicants outside the UK must use the “Skilled Worker visa” form, while applicants inside the UK must use the “Skilled Worker” form.
All application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid.
Biometric information must be provided where required.
A valid passport or travel document must be submitted to confirm identity and nationality.
The applicant must hold a Certificate of Sponsorship issued no more than three months (90 days) before the application date.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over at the time of application.
If any of these requirements are not met, the application may be rejected as invalid and not processed.
Switching to a Skilled Worker Visa from Inside the UK
Applicants applying from within the UK must also meet additional conditions.
They must be physically present in the UK on the date of application.
They must not currently hold, or have last held, permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules.
Students switching to a Skilled Worker visa must meet one of the following criteria. They must have completed their course of study, or be studying a full-time degree-level course or above with a job start date after course completion. PhD students may apply after 24 months of study, provided the sponsored role meets the start date requirements.
Applicants who have received a government or international scholarship covering both tuition fees and living costs within the last 12 months must provide written consent from the sponsoring authority.
Suitability and Compliance Rules
Applicants must not fall under refusal grounds within the Part Suitability rules. Those applying from inside the UK must also not be in breach of immigration laws, except where limited overstaying exceptions apply, and must not be on immigration bail.
Entry Clearance and Health Requirements
Applicants applying from outside the UK must obtain entry clearance as a Skilled Worker before travelling to the UK. Where applicable, a valid tuberculosis test certificate must also be provided to confirm the applicant is free from active TB.
Points-Based System Overview
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must score 70 points in total.
Fifty points are mandatory and come from sponsorship by a licensed employer, a job at the required skill level, and meeting the English language requirement at B2 level, or B1 level for certain extensions.
An additional 20 tradeable points must be earned through salary and role type. Recent rule changes have increased minimum salary thresholds, with the main standard salary requirement now set at £41,700 per year, subject to the occupation’s going rate.
Lower salary thresholds are available only in specific cases, including for PhD holders, new entrants to the labour market, roles on the Immigration Salary List, and certain health and education occupations. These options are restricted and may not be available to all applicants.
Key Takeaways
Salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas have increased significantly.
Switching routes from within the UK is more restricted than before.
Certificates of Sponsorship must be issued within strict time limits.
Lower salary tradeable points are now limited to specific applicant groups.
Failure to meet validity requirements can result in automatic refusal.
