UK Skilled Worker Visa FAQ
Clear answers about salary thresholds, the Certificate of Sponsorship, switching employers, dependants, and the Immigration Skills Charge. This FAQ aggregates the most common questions from our Skilled Worker and sponsor licence articles.
This FAQ is for skilled workers who are applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa, switching employers while on the route, or bringing dependants to the UK. The questions reflect the most common situations we see from applicants in UKVI forums and from our own document review clients. Each answer draws on the Immigration Rules (Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Dependant, and Appendix English Language), Home Office caseworker guidance, and current UKVI policy as of mid-2026.
The Skilled Worker route saw significant changes in 2024 and 2025, including the increase of the general salary threshold to £38,700, adjustments to shortage occupation lists, and stricter going-rate requirements for specific SOC codes. The Health and Care Worker route continues to operate with separate, lower thresholds, but has faced increased scrutiny around dependent arrangements. The answers below reflect the current rules and salary bands in effect as of July 2026. Before accepting a job offer, confirm both the general threshold and the occupation-specific going rate for your SOC code on GOV.UK.
The question list below covers the most frequently asked Skilled Worker topics. For deeper guidance on any subject, the articles linked below include step-by-step instructions, document checklists, and the specific Home Office policy references that apply to each stage of the visa process.
How to use this FAQ
- Match salary thresholds and SOC codes to the live GOV.UK Skilled Worker tables before accepting an offer.
- CoS, switching employers, and ISC questions interact — use the pillar articles below for full checklists.
- Content is editorial-only until a named solicitor review program is live; complex refusals need local counsel.
Reviewer programs for UK matters are under development; until those programs launch, UK content is editorial-only.
What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
The Skilled Worker visa uses a two-test system: you must meet both the general threshold and the occupation-specific "going rate" for your SOC code. As of 2026, the general threshold is typically £38,700 per year, but lower thresholds apply for new entrants, healthcare roles, and jobs on the shortage occupation list. The going rate varies by SOC code and is published on GOV.UK. You must meet whichever figure is higher. If you are paid hourly, the annual equivalent is calculated using a 39-hour week. A common mistake is assuming the general threshold is the only test and discovering at application stage that the going rate for the specific occupation is higher. Verify both figures against the live GOV.UK tables before accepting a job offer.
Can I switch employers while on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, but your new employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you start work. You must apply to update your visa before beginning the new role. In most cases, you can start working for the new employer as soon as UKVI confirms receipt of a valid application, provided the new job meets the skill and salary requirements. You cannot start work for a new employer using your old CoS. If your new role has a different SOC code, the salary threshold may change. If you leave your current employer before filing the update application, you risk a gap in lawful employment. Plan the timing so that the new CoS is issued and the update application is submitted before your last day with the previous employer.
What is the Immigration Skills Charge and who pays it?
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee paid by the sponsoring employer, not the worker. It is designed to encourage employers to train UK resident workers. The amount depends on the size of the organisation and the length of the CoS: typically £1,000 per year for medium or large sponsors and £364 per year for small or charitable sponsors. The employer pays this when assigning the CoS. If you are negotiating a job offer, confirm in writing whether the employer will cover this cost and whether it is included in any relocation package they have described. The charge is not refundable if you leave the job early, though the employer may be able to claim a partial refund in specific circumstances.
Can my dependants work in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Dependants of Skilled Worker visa holders can work full time in any role, including self-employment, with very few restrictions. They can also study. Each dependant must have their own visa application approved, proving the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partners) and that there is sufficient maintenance funds. The maintenance requirement for dependants is additional to the main applicant's funds. Dependants can apply at the same time as the main applicant or join later. Children born in the UK while the parents hold Skilled Worker visas do not automatically become British citizens; they acquire the same immigration status as the parents.
How long does it take to get a Skilled Worker visa?
Standard processing from outside the UK is typically 3 weeks after the biometric appointment, though times vary by country and season. From inside the UK, standard processing is usually 8 weeks. Priority services are available for an additional fee and can reduce the decision time to 5 working days or 24 hours, depending on the service tier and availability. Processing does not begin until you have attended the biometric appointment and submitted all required documents. Delays most often occur when the employer has not yet paid the Immigration Skills Charge, the CoS contains errors, or the applicant has an unclear immigration history. Check the live GOV.UK processing times for your location before booking travel.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship and why do I need one?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is not a physical document but an electronic record generated by your employer in the UKVI sponsor management system. It contains a unique reference number that links your visa application to a specific job offer from a licensed sponsor. The CoS confirms your job title, SOC code, salary, start date, and whether the role is on the shortage occupation list. Without a valid CoS, you cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa. The CoS is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned. If you do not use it within that window, your employer must assign a new one.
What is the English language requirement for a Skilled Worker visa?
You must prove English language proficiency at B1 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This can be done through: an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) from IELTS SELT Consortium, PTE Academic, LanguageCert, or Trinity College London; a degree taught or researched in English (verified by Ecctis to confirm the degree was taught in English at the required level); or being a national of a majority English-speaking country (such as the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or a designated country). The test certificate must be valid at the time of application — SELT results are valid for 2 years. If you used an English test for a previous UK visa application, check whether the same certificate can be reused or whether a new test is required.
Can I apply for a Skilled Worker visa while in the UK?
Yes. You can switch to the Skilled Worker route from inside the UK if you currently hold valid permission in another eligible route. Eligible routes include: Student visa, Graduate Route, Tier 2 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), and several others. You cannot switch from a Visitor visa, Short-term Study visa, or Seasonal Worker visa. Switching from inside the UK requires a valid visa at the time of application. If your current visa has expired, you may still be able to apply within 14 days of expiry if you meet the requirements for overstayer applications — but this is discretionary and should not be relied upon. Apply before your current visa expires to maintain continuous lawful residence.
What is the visa fee for a Skilled Worker application?
The visa fee depends on the length of the visa, the route (standard Skilled Worker vs Health and Care Worker), and the country of application (in-country vs overseas). For a standard 3-year Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, the fee is approximately GBP 827 per person. For a 3-year visa from outside the UK, the fee varies by country. The Health and Care Worker route fee is significantly lower — approximately GBP 284 for a 3-year application. The Immigration Health Surcharge is additional: GBP 1,035 per year for standard Skilled Worker, GBP 776 per year for Health and Care Worker. Check the live fees on GOV.UK before budgeting, as fees are updated periodically.
Can my employer sponsor me from overseas?
Yes. Employers can sponsor workers from outside the UK. The employer must hold a valid A-rated sponsor licence and assign a defined Certificate of Sponsorship (used for overseas applications). The worker applies for entry clearance from their home country (or country of residence) before travelling to the UK. The visa is typically granted for the duration of the job offer plus 14 days for travel. Once in the UK, the worker collects their BRP (or activates their eVisa) and can begin work on the start date specified on the CoS. The employer should factor in the visa processing time (typically 3 weeks) when agreeing a start date with an overseas hire.
Official sources
Verify fees, forms, and eligibility on first-party government sites. FAQ answers are educational and not a substitute for a DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.
Procedural deep-dives
For statutes, checklists, and filing strategy, use these legal owners.
- Skilled Worker hub
Salary thresholds, sponsors, and switching jobs.
- Skilled Worker salary threshold 2026
Going rates and general threshold updates.
Where to go next
The articles linked below provide in-depth coverage of each FAQ topic, with Home Office policy references, document checklists, and step-by-step guidance for the Skilled Worker route.
- UK Skilled Worker visa guide — the complete cluster overview with salary thresholds, CoS, switching jobs, and dependants.
- Skilled Worker salary threshold 2026
- Switching jobs on a Skilled Worker visa
- Skilled Worker document checklist
- Sponsor licence employer guide
- Document checklist review service
- UK legal hub
- FAQ hub — all cluster FAQs
Need your Skilled Worker documents checked?
Our flat-fee document checklist review verifies your CoS, salary evidence, and employer documents before you submit to UKVI.