Mandeep Khroud
Partner
Skilled Worker Visas
Secure the talent your organisation needs for lasting success with clear, strategic visa guidance. Our immigration lawyers work as long-term partners to guide you through every stage of the Skilled Worker visa process, aligning immigration requirements with your wider business objectives.
Legal advice for Skilled Worker visas
The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s most popular work route enabling individuals to work in the UK for a specific organisation, to fulfil a specific role. The organisation must hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence to sponsor individuals under this route.
Generally speaking, Skilled Workers can be accompanied by dependants (partner and/or children), however for some roles, dependants may not be permitted.
After completing a continuous period of residence in the UK under the Skilled Worker route, individuals can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (i.e. settlement), provided the relevant requirements are met.
Key Considerations
- Visa length: Applicants can apply for any visa length of up to five years and the visa can be extended further provided the requirements are met.
- Skill level: The job skill level requirement for the Skilled Worker route has been raised from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (degree level equivalent). However, some individuals may still be eligible to fulfil roles at RQF Level 3, and this depends on a number of factors.
- Changing role: A Skilled Worker visa is tied to a specific employer and a specific role. If a worker would like to change their employer or materially change their role, they will need to apply for a new Skilled Worker visa.
- Health and Care Worker visa: Health and care professionals may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa, a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa. The application process and requirements are largely the same as the standard Skilled Worker route, however the Immigration Health Surcharge is not payable.
- Timing: The application can be made up to three months before the day the worker is due to start employment in the UK.
- Dependants: Partners and children will also need to apply and meet certain requirements in order to hold permission as dependants of the Skilled Worker.
- Visa conditions: Whilst on a Skilled Worker visa, individuals may also be able to study in the UK, take on supplementary work, and do voluntary work, in certain circumstances.
What are the key requirements for a Skilled Worker visa?
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Applicants must hold a CoS from an organisation with a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Skill Level: Applicants must be applying to do a job which is at the required skill level and is eligible for sponsorship – this will depend on the Standard Occupation Code (“SOC”) for the applicant’s role.
- Salary Level: Applicants must be paid at least the minimum salary rate for the role they will be doing – there are various salary thresholds depending on the individual’s circumstances.
- English language: Applicants meet the required level of English language – this can be met in a number of ways, including having a degree which was taught in English, passing an English language test or being a national of a majority English-speaking included on the Home Office’s prescribed list.
- Financial requirements: Applicants must meet the financial requirements to support themselves during their stay. The sponsoring employer can also certify maintenance for the applicant.
How can we help?
Our team has extensive experience supporting organisations and individuals through the Skilled Worker process.
The Skilled Worker route has become a complex due to significant changes made to the skills and salary thresholds since April 2024. It is therefore crucial that organisations and individuals ensure the necessary requirements are being met before proceeding with a Skilled Worker application.
We work closely with a wide range of organisations and individuals, and offer comprehensive assistance, including:
- Advising on the requirements of the Skilled Worker route to ensure they are met
- Advising on and reviewing documents required to support the application
- Drafting Certificates of Sponsorship, visa application forms, and letters in support of the application
- Guiding through the submission and biometric stages
- Ensuring ongoing compliance with Home Office requirements.
If you are an individual or organisation looking for help with Skilled Worker applications, please contact a member of the team who will be happy to discuss this with you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions our business immigration lawyers are asked about Skilled Worker visas.Contact our specialists
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