| Key Takeaways |
| – The UK Skilled Worker visa (formerly called the Tier 2 (General) visa) is the main route for overseas employees sponsored by a licensed UK employer. – From 22 July 2025, most sponsored roles must be at RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) or above, removing well over 100 previously eligible occupations. – The general minimum salary is £41,700 per year or £17.13 per hour, whichever produces the higher figure against the role’s published ‘going rate’. – Lower thresholds of £33,400 apply to new entrants, PhD-holders in STEM roles, and Immigration Salary List occupations; £37,500 applies to other relevant PhD holders. – A small number of medium-skilled roles (RQF Level 3–5) remain eligible only via the Temporary Shortage List, which is time-limited to 31 December 2026 and does not allow dependants. – Settlement after 5 years remains the current rule; a proposed move to a 10-year baseline has not yet been confirmed in final Immigration Rules as of mid-2026. |
The UK Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people moving to the United Kingdom for sponsored employment. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa, and while many websites and applicants still refer to it by that older name, the route operates under significantly different rules today. Following changes that took effect from 22 July 2025, eligibility now depends on a higher salary threshold, a stricter skill-level requirement, and a higher English language standard. This guide explains who qualifies for the UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026, how much it costs, and how to apply.
What Changed for the UK Skilled Worker Visa in 2025–26
Several reforms have reshaped the Skilled Worker route since mid-2025. Understanding them matters because older guidance — including content still circulating from before July 2025 — can describe eligibility rules and salary figures that no longer apply.
- Skill level raised to RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level or equivalent) from 22 July 2025, removing well over 100 occupations that were previously eligible at lower skill levels.
- General salary threshold raised to £41,700 per year, up from £38,700, from 22 July 2025.
- English language requirement raised from CEFR B1 to B2 for new applicants from 8 January 2026.
- Immigration Skills Charge (paid by the sponsoring employer) increased by around 32% from 16 December 2025.
- Salary compliance is now checked at the pay-period level, not just on the annual figure, from 8 April 2026.
- Overseas recruitment for care worker roles closed on 22 July 2025.
Who Is Eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, an applicant generally needs all of the following:
- A genuine job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by that employer, confirming the job title, salary, and start date.
- A role assigned to an occupation code that meets RQF Level 6 (degree-level) skill requirements, unless the role appears on the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List.
- A salary that meets both the general minimum threshold and the published ‘going rate’ for the specific occupation code, whichever is higher.
- English language ability at CEFR Level B2 (reading, writing, speaking and listening) for new applicants from 8 January 2026.
- Enough points under the points-based assessment, combining sponsorship, skill level, salary and (where relevant) shortage occupation status.
The full list of eligible occupations and their codes is maintained on the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa eligible occupations page, which employers should check before issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Thresholds (2026)
The salary rules work as a dual test: an applicant must meet both the general cash threshold below and the specific ‘going rate’ published for their occupation code, whichever figure is higher.
| Applicant Category | Minimum Salary Threshold |
|---|---|
| General threshold (most applicants) | £41,700 per year (or £17.13/hour, max 48-hour week) |
| New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or in professional training) | £33,400 per year |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) occupations | £33,400 per year (no further percentage discount) |
| PhD relevant to the job | £37,500 per year |
| PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 per year |
| Health and Care Worker visa (separate route) | £25,000 per year or the going rate, whichever is higher |
The Immigration Salary List is scheduled to be phased out by 31 December 2026 and replaced by a Temporary Shortage List, which allows a limited number of RQF Level 3–5 roles to remain sponsorable on a time-limited basis. Workers sponsored under the Temporary Shortage List cannot bring dependants and do not receive any salary discount beyond the figures above.
Documents Required for a UK Skilled Worker Visa Application
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from the employer
- Valid passport or other travel document
- Proof of the job offer, role, and salary as stated on the CoS
- Evidence of English language ability at CEFR Level B2
- Tuberculosis test results, if applying from a country where this is required
- Criminal record certificate, for roles that require one
- Proof of personal savings, if the employer is not certifying maintenance on the CoS
How to Apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa: Step by Step
1. Secure a job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence for the Skilled Worker route.
2. Receive the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), confirming the job title, occupation code, salary, and start date.
3. Confirm the role meets the RQF Level 6 skill requirement, or qualifies via the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
4. Apply online, either from outside the UK or from within the UK if switching or extending an existing visa.
5. Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then provide biometric information.
6. Wait for a decision — typically around 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK, or around 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees and Costs
From 8 April 2026, the Skilled Worker visa application fee for a route of up to three years is £819, up from £769 before the increase. On top of this, most applicants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year of visa length, paid upfront for the full duration. The employer separately pays the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525, frozen for 2026 after a sharp rise in December 2025) and the Immigration Skills Charge, which itself rose by around 32% in December 2025. A full breakdown of current UK visa costs, including the Skilled Worker route, is available in the UK Visa Fees guide.
What You Can and Cannot Do on a UK Skilled Worker Visa
Permitted
- Work in the sponsored role specified on the Certificate of Sponsorship
- Take on a limited amount of supplementary work in certain circumstances
- Study, subject to some restrictions
- Bring a partner and dependent children
- Travel outside the UK and return without affecting visa status
- Apply to settle permanently after meeting the qualifying period
Not Permitted
- Changing employer or job role without updating the sponsorship and, in most cases, the visa itself
- Claiming most public benefits or the State Pension
Settlement After the UK Skilled Worker Visa
Under the rules currently in force, Skilled Worker visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous lawful residence on a qualifying route, provided they meet the salary, absence, and good character requirements. The government has proposed extending this to a 10-year baseline for most applicants under a new ‘earned settlement’ model, with the qualifying consultation closing in February 2026. As of mid-2026, final Immigration Rules implementing that change had not yet been published, so the 5-year route remains the legally operative rule. Anyone approaching their 5-year qualifying date should monitor official Home Office announcements closely, since the timing and any transitional protection for people already in the UK have not been confirmed.
More detail on the settlement route itself is available in the guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
The general minimum salary is £41,700 per year, or £17.13 per hour for a maximum 48-hour week. The applicant must also meet the published ‘going rate’ for their specific occupation code if that figure is higher. Lower thresholds of £33,400 to £37,500 apply to new entrants, PhD holders, and some shortage occupations.
What skill level is required for the UK Skilled Worker visa?
Since 22 July 2025, sponsored roles generally need to be at RQF Level 6 (bachelor’s degree level) or above. A limited number of roles below this level remain eligible only through the Temporary Shortage List, which is scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026.
Is the UK Skilled Worker visa the same as the Tier 2 visa?
The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa several years ago. Many people still search using the older ‘Tier 2’ name, but the current route has substantially different salary, skill, and English language requirements from the original Tier 2 system.
Can I bring my family on a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, in most cases. Partners and dependent children can apply to accompany or join a Skilled Worker visa holder. The exception is roles sponsored through the Temporary Shortage List, which does not permit dependants.
Has the UK Skilled Worker visa settlement period changed to 10 years?
Not yet, as of mid-2026. The government has proposed raising the standard settlement qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, and a consultation on the change closed in February 2026, but final Immigration Rules implementing it had not been published at the time of writing. The 5-year route remains the current rule.
How long does it take to get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Standard processing is typically around 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK, and around 8 weeks for applications made from inside the UK, though priority services can reduce this for an extra fee.
Source
GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Skilled Worker visa rules, salary thresholds and settlement requirements are subject to change; always confirm current requirements on the official GOV.UK website before applying.