UK Skilled Worker Visa: Requirements, Salary & Approved Jobs
The UK Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for overseas nationals to live and work in the United Kingdom. It replaced the Tier 2 General visa and operates under a points-based system. For many professionals, it is the most straightforward path to UK residency and eventual settlement.
However, the rules have become significantly tougher and more complex in 2026. Recent changes have increased salary thresholds, raised English language requirements, and introduced new payroll compliance rules. Understanding these details is critical for a successful application.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from the basic eligibility criteria to the specific salary you must earn and the jobs that currently qualify.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. This employer is called a sponsor.
You must have a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor before you apply. The employer provides you with a certificate of sponsorship, which is an electronic record containing details of the role.
The visa is granted for up to five years, matching the length of your employment contract. After living in the UK for five years on this visa and meeting all requirements, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as settlement. You can usually bring your spouse, partner, and dependent children with you.
Key Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must score a total of 70 points. Some points are mandatory, while others are tradeable, meaning you can meet them in different ways, usually based on your salary.
Job Offer from Approved Sponsor (20 points)
You must have a genuine job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid sponsor licence.
Job at Appropriate Skill Level (20 points)
The job must be at RQF Level 3 or above. This ranges from A-level equivalent jobs to graduate-level positions. For roles below this level, they must be on the Immigration Salary List.
English Language Proficiency (10 points)
You must prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved test or having an academic qualification taught in English. From early 2026, the required level is B1 on the CEFR scale, which is intermediate English.
Salary (Tradeable Points – 20 points)
You must earn a minimum salary. This is the most complex area and is explained in detail in the next section.
The Salary Requirement: How Much Do You Need to Earn?
The salary requirement is not a simple, single figure. You need to meet the higher of two figures: the general minimum salary threshold or the specific going rate for your occupation.
The General Salary Thresholds
There are several routes to meeting the general threshold, and the option that applies to you determines your salary floor.
For standard applicants, you must be paid at least £38,700 per year. However, there are important exceptions.
If you have a PhD in a subject relevant to the job, the minimum is £34,830 per year. If your PhD is in a science, technology, engineering, or maths field, the minimum is £30,960 per year.
If the job is on the Immigration Salary List, or if you qualify as a new entrant, the minimum is £30,960 per year. New entrants include those under 26 on the application date, those studying in the UK on a Student visa in the last two years, or those working in the UK on a Graduate visa.
The Going Rate for Your Job
Each eligible job type has a going rate published by the government. This is the average salary for that profession in the UK. For example, the going rate for a production manager might be significantly different from the going rate for a care worker.
The rule is that your salary must meet the higher of the general threshold from the list above and the relevant percentage of the going rate for your specific occupation code.
Even if you meet the annual threshold, your pay must also equate to at least £15.88 per hour. This is calculated based on a standard working week.
New Pay-Period Rules
A significant change was implemented in April 2026. From this date, the Home Office does not only check your annual salary but also whether you are paid correctly in each pay period.
If your certificate of sponsorship is assigned on or after this date, your salary is assessed in defined pay periods. This means if you are paid monthly, your salary over any three months must be at least a quarter of the annual threshold. This rule is designed to catch situations where a worker’s pay fluctuates, ensuring they consistently meet the minimum salary requirement.
Approved Jobs and the Immigration Salary List
Not all jobs qualify for a Skilled Worker visa. The job must be at an appropriate skill level and, in some cases, be on the Immigration Salary List.
The Immigration Salary List replaced the old Shortage Occupation List. If a job is on this list, it may allow for a lower salary threshold. However, the list is regularly reviewed and updated based on labor market needs.
Here are examples of jobs currently on the Immigration Salary List for the whole of the UK.
In healthcare, eligible roles include nursing auxiliaries and assistants, senior care workers, and residential care managers.
In science and technology, eligible roles include biological scientists, chemical scientists in the nuclear industry, laboratory technicians with three or more years of experience, and graphic and multimedia designers.
In arts and culture, eligible roles include artists, classical ballet dancers for internationally recognized companies, orchestral musicians in lead roles, and arts officers and producers.
In construction and trades, eligible roles include bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, roofers, stonemasons, high integrity pipe welders, and retrofitters.
Other eligible roles include fishing boat masters, boat and ship builders, archaeologists, and pharmaceutical technicians.
For a full list of all eligible occupation codes and their associated going rates, you can refer to the official government tables. The standard going rate and a lower going rate are listed for each code, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
Financial Requirements and Application Costs
Beyond the salary, you must also prove you can support yourself.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You need to have held this money for at least 28 consecutive days. This requirement is waived if your employer certifies your maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship.
The application fee ranges from £719 to £1,420, depending on the length of the visa and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
You will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, which is £1,035 per year, to access the UK’s National Health Service.
Can Students Switch to a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes. International students in the UK on a Student visa are eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker visa while in the UK, provided they meet the criteria.
You must apply before your Student visa expires. Your job cannot start until after your course has finished. PhD students must have completed at least 24 months of study.
The Graduate visa is another route that allows you to stay in the UK for two years, or three for PhD graduates, to work or look for work without a sponsor. This provides a bridge to a sponsored role.
Key 2026 Changes
The general salary threshold is now £38,700 for most applicants. New applicants need at least B1 level English. From April 2026, salary compliance is checked more frequently based on pay periods. Most jobs must be at RQF Level 3 or above unless on the Immigration Salary List.
Navigating these rules can be complex. Ensuring you have the correct job offer from a licensed sponsor and that your salary meets both the general threshold and the specific going rate for your role is essential for a successful application.
