This route is for the benefit of UK-based employers who wish to recruit people to work in the UK, including in UK waters, in a specific job. A Skilled Worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from an employer who is licensed by UK Visas & Immigration.

The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 ( General) Work visa.

In order to successfully apply and be granted a Skilled Worker visa you must:

1. Have been offered a skilled job in the UK. Your job must fall within one of the occupation codes on this list. To find out your occupation code, you must use this tool.
2. You would need a Certificate of Sponsorship (‘CoS’) from a licensed sponsor in the UK, the list of which can be found here. Your employer is your sponsor.
3. You’ll usually need to be paid at least £38,700 per year or the ‘appropriate rate’ for the job you’re offered – whichever is higher. However, you may be paid less if you have a job in the shortage occupation list, have a PhD in a subject relevant to the job, have a PhD in a STEM relevant to the job, or you are a ‘new entrant’ to the labour market.
4. You must meet the English language requirement by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening or you must have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and your qualification is recognised by Ecctis as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher. You’ll need to send a certificate from Ecctis confirming this when you apply. You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; the British Overseas Territories; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
5. You may also need to take a tuberculosis test if you currently reside in a listed country. Further information can be found here.
6. You need to evidence that you have at least £1,270.00, in your personal bank account for 28 consecutive days prior to the date of submission. You will not be required to show proof of funds if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of application, or your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.00.
7. If you are coming to work in the education, health, or social care sectors, you may need to provide a criminal record certificate for any country (excluding the UK) where you have lived for 12 months or more (whether continuous or in total), in the 10 years before your application, while aged 18 or over.

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• do a second job in certain circumstances
• do voluntary work
• study if it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• bring certain family members with you
• You can apply for indefinite leave to remain, i.e. settlement under the Skilled Worker Visa category once you have reached 5 years’ continuous leave in the United Kingdom under this route. You cannot have had more than 180 days’ absence from the United Kingdom during any consecutive 12 months of the qualifying period prior to making an application for indefinite leave to remain. You must have indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months before making an application for British Citizenship, unless you are married to or in a civil partnership a British Citizen in which case you can apply for citizenship as soon as you are granted settlement.

You cannot:

• Apply for public funds
• Change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa
• You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
  • as a visitor
  • on a short-term student visa
  • on a Parent of a Child Student visa
  • on a seasonal worker visa
  • on a domestic worker in a private household visa
  • on immigration bail
  • because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.