UK Skilled Worker Visa: Eligibility, Salary and Application
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the main sponsored work route for overseas professionals. Following the July 2025 reforms, roles must now be at RQF Level 6 and meet a £41,700 salary threshold. Work Permit Cloud advises employers and applicants on eligibility, sponsorship, and the settlement pathway.
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What Is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the main sponsored work route for overseas nationals taking up skilled employment in the United Kingdom. Introduced in December 2020 as a replacement for the Tier 2 (General) visa, it is the most widely used long-term work visa in the UK. It allows you to live and work in a specific role with a specific licensed employer, bring eligible dependent family members, and after five years of continuous qualifying residence, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately for British citizenship.
From 22 July 2025, the Skilled Worker route underwent its most significant overhaul since Brexit. The minimum skill level for new applications was raised to RQF Level 6 (degree level), approximately 180 previously eligible occupations were removed from the general route, and the general salary threshold increased to £41,700. These changes reflect the government's intention to shift the route toward higher-skilled roles and reduce overall net migration. See our RQF Level 6 jobs list blog for a breakdown of affected occupations.
The July 2025 Changes: What You Need to Know
1. Skill level raised to RQF Level 6
From 22 July 2025, sponsored roles must be at RQF Level 6 — equivalent to a bachelor's degree — or above. This removed around 180 occupations previously eligible at Levels 3 to 5, including many supervisory, technician, and mid-level operational roles. The change concerns the level at which the sponsored job is classified, not the applicant's own qualifications. If the job duties and SOC code sit at degree level, the standard applies even if the applicant holds no degree. Check Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK to confirm whether your role qualifies.
2. Salary thresholds increased
The minimum salary for all applications made on or after 22 July 2025 is the higher of the applicable option and the going rate for the specific SOC code. General threshold: £41,700. PhD (relevant): £37,500 (or 90% going rate). STEM PhD / New entrant: £33,400 (or 70-80% going rate). New entrants are those under 26, recent graduates, or in approved training. The going rates were also updated from 22 July 2025 using ASHE data. Workers on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) have different threshold rules but cannot bring new dependants.
3. New entrants and transitional arrangements
Workers who held a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 in an RQF Level 3 to 5 role are protected by transitional arrangements. They may extend their visa and change employers within their eligible occupation code until July 2028 (or July 2030 for non-care occupations), provided their permission remains continuous. However, the new salary thresholds apply to all CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025, including extensions and job changes, unless a specific exemption applies.
4. English language requirement raised to B2 (from 8 January 2026)
New Skilled Worker applicants must now demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B2 — a higher standard than the previous B1 requirement. This applies to first-time applicants and those switching into the route. The requirement can be met through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), a degree taught in English, or on the basis of nationality. Workers extending an existing Skilled Worker visa should check whether B2 is now required before their next application.
Who Qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa?
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer with an A-rated sponsor licence for the Skilled Worker route.
- Have a job offer in an eligible occupation at RQF Level 6 or above (or a TSL/ISL role under transitional arrangements).
- Meet the applicable salary threshold — the higher of the option for their circumstances and the going rate for the SOC code.
- Meet the English language requirement at CEFR B2 (for new applications from 8 January 2026).
- Have sufficient personal maintenance funds, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
There is no cap on the number of Skilled Workers that can be sponsored. The route is demand-driven and not subject to an annual limit.
Sponsorship: The Employer's Role
The Skilled Worker Visa is a sponsored route. Without a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence and assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship, an application cannot proceed. The CoS must accurately reflect the role — including the SOC code, job title, salary, and start date. After the July 2025 changes, Home Office scrutiny of the alignment between stated job duties and the assigned SOC code has intensified. Miscoded roles are a primary cause of sponsor licence compliance action.
Employers must pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) for each worker they sponsor. From 16 December 2025, the ISC increased by approximately 32%. For a three-year visa, the charge is £1,440 for small or charitable sponsors, or £3,960 for medium and large sponsors. The ISC is in addition to the visa application fee and any advisory costs. It cannot be charged to or recovered from the sponsored worker. Maintaining UKVI-compliant HR systems is essential for keeping on top of these obligations.
Dependants and the Route to Settlement
Skilled Worker visa holders in RQF Level 6+ roles may bring their partner and children under 18 to the UK as dependants. Workers in RQF Level 3 to 5 roles on the ISL or TSL may not bring new dependants. After five years of continuous qualifying residence, workers may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The ILR application requires meeting the current salary threshold for the occupation at that point. Following one year of ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation may be available.
How Work Permit Cloud Can Help
Work Permit Cloud advises both employers and applicants throughout the Skilled Worker visa process. For employers, we advise on sponsor licence compliance, SOC code assessment, salary threshold planning, and CoS preparation. For applicants, we review eligibility, prepare application bundles, handle English language requirement queries, and support cases under transitional arrangements or involving complex circumstances.
If you are considering Global Business Mobility or Scale-up Visa routes as alternatives, we can advise on these too. Book an appointment or contact us to discuss your situation.
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FAQ
Common questions
What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the main sponsored work route for overseas nationals taking up skilled employment in the United Kingdom. Introduced in December 2020 to replace the Tier 2 (General) visa, it allows you to live and work in a specific sponsored role, bring eligible dependent family members, and after five continuous years of qualifying residence, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and ultimately British citizenship.
What are the Skilled Worker Visa requirements from July 2025?
For Certificates of Sponsorship assigned on or after 22 July 2025: (1) the sponsored role must be at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above; (2) the salary must be at least £41,700 or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher; (3) the applicant must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer; and (4) from 8 January 2026, new applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B2.
What is the salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa in 2025 and 2026?
The general threshold from 22 July 2025 is £41,700 per year or the going rate for the specific SOC code, whichever is higher. Reduced thresholds apply in specific cases: £37,500 for relevant PhD holders (or 90% going rate); £33,400 for STEM PhD holders (or 80% going rate); £33,400 for new entrants under 26, recent graduates, or those in approved training (or 70% going rate). All thresholds must also clear the going rate for the specific occupation.
I was sponsored before July 2025 at RQF Level 3-5. Am I affected?
Workers who held a Skilled Worker visa in an RQF Level 3-5 role before 22 July 2025 are protected by transitional arrangements. They can extend their visa and change employer within their eligible occupation code until July 2028 (or July 2030 for non-care occupations on the former Temporary Shortage List). However, the new salary thresholds apply to all CoS assigned on or after 22 July 2025, including extensions.
What is the English language requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa?
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate CEFR Level B2 English proficiency. This can be met by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 level, holding a degree taught in English at an equivalent level, or on the basis of nationality if from a majority English-speaking country. B2 is a higher standard than the previous B1 requirement.
Can a Skilled Worker Visa holder bring their family to the UK?
Yes, with an important restriction. Workers sponsored in standard RQF Level 6+ roles can bring eligible dependants (spouse/civil partner and children under 18) to the UK. Workers in roles on the Temporary Shortage List (RQF Levels 3-5) cannot bring new dependants. See our Dependent Visa page for full eligibility detail.
What is the Immigration Skills Charge and has it changed?
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a levy paid by the sponsoring employer when assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker. Since 16 December 2025, the ISC increased by approximately 32%. For a three-year visa, the charge is £1,440 for small or charitable sponsors, or £3,960 for medium/large sponsors. The ISC cannot be charged to or recovered from the sponsored worker.
Does the Skilled Worker Visa lead to ILR and British citizenship?
Yes. After five continuous years of qualifying residence on the Skilled Worker route, workers may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Following ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation may be available after a further 12 months. See our UK Settlement Scheme and British Citizenship pages for eligibility detail.
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