UK Skilled Worker Visa: Sponsorship, Points and Application Guide

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the primary immigration route for skilled workers from outside the UK who have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license. Replacing the former Tier 2 (General) visa in 2021, the Skilled Worker Visa allows holders to live and work in the UK, bring family members, and eventually apply for settlement (ILR) and British citizenship.

The visa operates within the UK's points-based immigration system, requiring candidates to score enough points across mandatory and tradeable criteria.

Eligibility and Points Requirement

To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you need at least 70 points:

Mandatory Criteria (50 points required)

| Criterion | Points |

|---|---|

| Job offer from approved sponsor | 20 |

| Skill level of job (RQF Level 3 or above) | 20 |

| English language proficiency (B1 level) | 10 |

Tradeable Criteria (20 additional points required)

| Criterion | Points |

|---|---|

| Salary of £20,960-£23,039 | 0 |

| Salary of £23,040-£25,599 | 10 |

| Salary of £25,600+ | 20 |

| Job in shortage occupation | 20 |

| PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | 10 |

| PhD in any subject | 10 |

Sponsorship

Your UK employer must have a sponsor license and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) with a unique reference number. The COS confirms that:

• Your job meets the minimum skill level requirementYour salary meets the minimum thresholdThe employer is legally allowed to sponsor workers

Application Process and Costs

| Item | Cost (GBP) | Details |

|---|---|---|

| Visa application (up to 3 years) | £719 | Per applicant |

| Visa application (3+ years) | £1,420 | Per applicant |

| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035/year | For access to NHS |

| Priority service | £500-£800 | Optional, for faster processing |

Settlement (ILR)

After 5 years on a Skilled Worker Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you:

• Have continuously lived in the UK for 5 yearsHave not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month periodPass the Life in the UK TestProve English language proficiency at B1 level