The Skilled Worker visa enables eligible individuals to work for a Home Office approved employer. The employer must have a valid Sponsor Licence and the job role must be on the UK Government’s list of eligible occupations.
Key requirements include:
- Sponsorship – you must have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved employer, with information about the eligible role you have been offered in the UK.
- Minimum salary requirements – this will depend on the type of work and role. Generally, new applicants will have to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 per annum or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. However, there may be circumstances where a lower salary can be offered, provided the eligible criteria can be met.
- English language proficiency and evidence of financial support, if applicable.
Skilled Worker visas can be extended as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may be able to settle permanently in the UK (also known as having Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR).
Practical end-to-end support
Our team at Lindsays provides comprehensive guidance throughout the Skilled Worker visa process. We will help you navigate the requirements, understand the documents you will need, and assess the eligibility criteria across different sectors, from tech to hospitality to healthcare.
We can also advise on whether other visa routes, such as the Health & Care Worker visa or the Global Talent visa, would be a better fit for your specific circumstances.
If you already have a Skilled Worker visa but want to change employers or switch jobs, we can guide you through the necessary steps and ensure a seamless transition.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I know if a job is eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
The Home Office has detailed the eligible occupations and their associated salary levels in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations. These include specific roles which can be sponsored along with the applicable “going rate” salary thresholds.
We can provide expert advice to ensure the role is eligible and that the salary requirements are correctly applied to your situation.
Q: The Home Office list of skilled occupations is very confusing. Which of the different tables do I look at?
If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa for the first time in 2025, your starting point will usually be Table 1 of Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations, which lists eligible roles and salary thresholds.
You should also check Table 6, which lists the occupations that are not eligible for sponsorship.
However, if you are already on the Skilled Worker route and were on it before 4 April 2024, Table 2 will be more relevant.
Tables 3-5 provide information on the different salary rules and role eligibility, specific to the healthcare or education sectors.
There is a huge amount of information and a range of salaries shown in the different tables, and it can certainly be daunting to work your way through it. Our immigration law team can help you navigate all the requirements and determine whether your occupation and job offer qualify under the Skilled Worker visa route.
Q: What can I do if my occupation or salary is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
If your job or salary does not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa, you may still be eligible for other immigration options. In some cases, you may be eligible for a different visa route, such as the Global Talent visa, Graduate visa or the Partner visa, depending on your circumstances.
Alternatively, it may be possible to adjust the job description, hours or salary to meet the relevant thresholds, provided this remains compliant and genuine.
Our immigration law team can review your circumstances and help you explore all available alternatives, ensuring you understand your best options for working in the UK legally.
Q: Do any salary exemptions apply?
Yes, there are exemptions to the standard salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa route, but they apply only in specific circumstances. A lower salary may be applicable if:
- The role is on the Immigration Salary List (previously known as the Shortage Occupation List).
- The applicant qualifies as a ‘new entrant’– typically those under 26 or switching from a Student visa.
- The applicant holds a relevant PhD level qualification aligned to the job being sponsored.
These exemptions are subject to strict eligibility criteria, and they should only be applied where those criteria can be clearly met. Misusing them can lead to your Skilled Worker visa application being refused. Our specialist Immigration law team can assess whether a salary reduction is applicable and ensure the application is compliant.
Fixed-fee initial consultation for immigration and visa advice
As the above FAQs illustrate, navigating the Skilled Worker route and their different requirements is complex. To help you do this, our immigration team at Lindsays offers an initial fixed-fee consultation where we find out your own circumstances and provide clear actionable advice.
Find out more here.
