Skilled Worker Visa

Skilled Worker visas enable you to sponsor skilled non-settled workers in the UK, allowing them to take up employment within your business.

The Skilled Worker route is the main immigration route for non-settled workers who wish to work in the UK (including UK waters). It allows UK-based employers to recruit non-settled workers to fill a wide range of skilled vacancies in the UK.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

• Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office (a licensed sponsor).

• Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, detailing your role and salary.

• Work in an eligible occupation listed in the official occupation codes.

• Meet the minimum salary requirement determined by the type of role and individuals circumstances.

• Demonstrate English proficiency to at least B1 level (intermediate) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This can be proven through a Secure English Language Test, a degree taught in English, or other specified qualifications.

A Skilled Worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a Home Office approved sponsor/employer. Eligible jobs are generally those which involve a variety of work activities, which may be complex. They are likely to include considerable responsibility and autonomy, and may include managing others. The job must normally be skilled to level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland, or the equivalent level in Wales or Scotland. This does not mean the worker has to have a level 3 qualification, but the job will involve the application of knowledge and skills at that level.

You can also sponsor eligible healthcare professionals for the Health and Care visa, which is a special subcategory of the Skilled Worker route.

All jobs sponsored on this route must meet the Skilled Worker salary requirements.

Skilled workers can bring their family members (partner and children) to the UK and can apply to settle in the UK after 5 years’ continuous lawful residence on this (or another eligible) route.

Skilled Worker Shortage Occupations

Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation Visas enable your organisation to fill roles recognised by the Home Office as being in national short supply that are on the Immigration Salary List: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list