UK immigration routes: The Skilled Worker visa
Most companies offering employment opportunities to overseas workers in the United Kingdom will encounter the Skilled Worker visa. This route remains one of the most popular and accessible immigration pathways for foreign nationals seeking to work in the UK.
Key Features of the Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa permits individuals to come to or remain in the UK to undertake an eligible job with an approved employer. Depending on the length of the employment contract, visa permissions can be granted for up to five years.
Notably, after five continuous years in this category, applicants may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence). Consequently, the Skilled Worker visa is considered the UK’s primary route for long-term work settlement.
Another key feature of this visa route is that partners and children can apply as dependents, with separate applications. Their visas typically expire concurrently with that of the skilled worker.
Finding a skilled worker sponsor
To qualify, candidates must first secure a job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor. A list of licensed sponsors can be found on the GOV.UK website.
If a prospective employer is not yet licensed, they will need to apply and be approved by the Home Office before they can sponsor a Skilled Worker applicant.
Typically, many companies will wait up to eight weeks for a decision on their sponsor licence application. During this time, they may also be visited by Home Office inspectors to ensure they are a genuine business with the necessary HR systems and processes to manage sponsored workers.
Eligibility criteria for employees
Crucially, the offered role must be classified as an eligible occupation, and the salary must meet minimum thresholds. Depending on the job, the salary offered must meet the highest out of the following:
- £41,700 per year, or
- The ‘going rate’ for the specific occupation.
If these thresholds are not met, applicants may still qualify if they meet certain criteria, such as:
- Earning between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate, provided their salary is at least £33,400 per year
- Being under 26 years old, a recent graduate, or engaged in professional training.
- Holding a relevant PhD level qualification or postdoctoral position in science or higher education.
Currently, the time-limited Temporary Shortage List (TSL) contains a list of medium-skilled roles eligible for sponsorship and sits alongside the Immigration Salary List of higher-skilled roles which have lower salary requirements. You must be paid at least £33,400 per year if you are being sponsored for a job on the immigration salary list. Specific rules also apply for healthcare and education roles.
Important considerations
– English requirement: Applicants who are not from exempt countries must demonstrate proficiency in English at level B1 on the CEFR scale, covering reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
– Changing jobs: To switch employers, a new application is usually required, unless the change involves a different occupation code within the same employer. A new certificate of sponsorship will be necessary.
– Additional work: Skilled Workers can undertake supplementary employment — such as working up to 20 hours per week in another role or running their own business — provided it aligns with the same occupation code or is in a shortage occupation. Voluntary work is also permitted.
Budgetary considerations:
UK employers should be aware of associated costs with sponsoring Skilled Worker visas:
- Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): Currently £1,000 per sponsored worker for up to one year (fees are set to rise by approximately 32% before 2026). Limited exemptions apply.
- Application Fee: Ranges from £769 to £1,751, depending on specific circumstances.
- Healthcare Surcharge: Typically amounts to £1,035 per year, which provides access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
It is essential to note that sponsors cannot pass certain costs onto their sponsored workers, including the CoS fee and the ISC.
Interested in learning more?
For further information on the Skilled Worker visa route for both applicants and employers, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Alternatively, Smith Stone Walters is on hand to answer any questions you may have. Our company is now part of Envoy Global. The leading corporate immigration services provider committed to delivering a better way for companies to manage global immigration.
Our immigration experts can assess your assignee’s eligibility for this visa and guide them individually through the entire application process. To find out how we can help, please contact us today.
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