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Work Visas UK

Skilled Worker Visa UK - Specialist Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 29 June 2026

The Skilled Worker Visa is the main UK work visa route for skilled professionals who have received a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor. The route allows eligible workers to live and work in the UK and can lead to settlement. Applicants must meet specific sponsorship, skill, salary, and English language requirements.

Premium Solicitors are specialist UK immigration solicitors, open 7 days a week, providing expert SRA-regulated visa and immigration services with 5-star Google Reviews from 99% of clients. Contact us for 5 minutes of Free Immigration Advice.

The Skilled Worker route is for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and non-EEA nationals who are sponsored by a Home Office-licensed sponsor to undertake a specific skilled job. Formerly known as the Tier 2 (General) Visa, the Skilled Worker Visa is designed for individuals who have been offered a skilled job by a UK employer. This visa category aims to address skill shortages in the UK labour market by enabling employers to hire qualified professionals from overseas. The Skilled Worker Visa presents a compelling opportunity for skilled professionals worldwide to pursue their career aspirations in the United Kingdom. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and associated rights and benefits, prospective applicants can navigate the visa journey with confidence. Whether you're an employer seeking to recruit international talent or an individual aspiring to work in the UK, the Skilled Worker Visa opens doors to a world of possibilities, fostering innovation, diversity, and economic growth in the UK workforce.

At Premium Solicitors, our experienced Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors provide expert legal advice and representation for individuals and businesses navigating the UK Skilled Worker Visa route. Whether you are applying from overseas, switching from another visa category within the UK, extending your visa, changing employer, or applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), our specialist immigration lawyers are here to help. Our team of immigration solicitors has extensive experience in preparing high-quality Skilled Worker Visa applications and helping clients overcome complex immigration challenges.

Dependent partners and children can apply for this route (with some exceptions for dependants of care workers and senior care workers).

The Immigration Rules on the skilled worker visa route changed on 4 April 2024 and then on 22 July 2025 to increase the minimum salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route, with transitional arrangements put in place for workers already on the route.

Page Contents
Free Immigration Advice
Skilled Worker Visa Applications
Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa Route
Key Features
UKVI Fees for Skilled Worker Visas
Challenge Skilled Worker Visa Refusals
Our Team of Immigration Solicitors
Book an Appointment
Our Fixed Fees
Get a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Free Immigration Advice Online For Skilled Worker Visa UK

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide a one-off, free 5-minute immigration advice session regarding your skilled worker visa application. Ask a question online to our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our skilled worker visa solicitors concerning your application for a skilled worker visa.

Applications Under the Skilled Worker Visa Category

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly and reliable fixed-fee legal services for the following applications for skilled workers:

Key Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa Rules – Effective from 22 July 2025

Following the Home Office UKVI’s Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules published on 1 July 2025, significant amendments have been introduced to the Skilled Worker visa route. The key changes are summarised below:

1. Increase in Job Skill Level Requirement

The required skill level for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route has been raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6. New applicants must be sponsored for jobs at RQF Level 6 or above.

However, transitional arrangements allow applicants to be sponsored for jobs below RQF Level 6 if:

They are already in the Skilled Worker route or have a pending successful application before the changes take effect; or
The job is listed on the Immigration Salary List or the newly introduced Temporary Shortage List.

2. Increased Salary Thresholds

Standard salary thresholds are being increased across multiple levels:

Previous Salary Threshold	New Salary Threshold
£38,700	£41,700
£34,830	£37,500
£30,960	£33,400
£29,000	£31,300
£26,100	£28,200

3. Introduction of the Temporary Shortage List

A Temporary Shortage List has been introduced to replace the Immigration Salary List over time. Key features include:

Only occupations below RQF Level 6 listed on this new list qualify for sponsorship after 22 July 2025.
The list is time-limited and conditional, with removal dates (generally end of 2026) already set, except for adult social care roles, which have separate arrangements.
The Government retains discretion to bring forward the removal dates if compliance issues arise.

4. No Dependants for RQF Level 3–5 Jobs

From 22 July 2025:

Skilled Workers sponsored for jobs at RQF Levels 3 to 5 (CoS assigned for initial skilled worker visa application on or after 22 July 2025) are not allowed to bring dependants.

This restriction does not apply to:

Workers sponsored at RQF Level 6 or above;
Workers already in the Skilled Worker route prior to the changes on 22 July 2025;
UK-born children or dependants for whom the Skilled Worker has sole parental responsibility, in line with existing care sector exemptions.

5. Closure of Overseas Applications for Care Workers

From 22 July 2025:

Entry clearance applications for care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) are closed.
These roles no longer qualify for initial Skilled Worker visa applications from outside the UK.

6. New In-Country Switching Requirement for Care Workers

Applicants switching to care worker or senior care worker roles from within the UK must:

Have been legally employed by their sponsoring provider for at least 3 months before their Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.
The previous requirement for employers to seek candidates from the Skilled Worker pool has been removed.
Switching from other visa categories remains possible until 22 July 2028, after which these roles may be removed from both the Immigration Salary List and the Temporary Shortage List.

7. Clarification on Occupation Code 6131 (Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants)

To address potential misuse, the Home Office has clarified that occupation code 6131 only applies to roles within clinical settings where registered nurse positions also exist.

8. Transitional Provisions for Existing Skilled Workers

Workers already in the Skilled Worker route before 22 July 2025 (CoS must have been assigned before 22 July 2025)—or those with pending applications that are later granted—benefit from transitional protections:

They can continue to be sponsored in jobs below RQF Level 6.
These protections also apply to those switching into the route before the final cut-off date of 22 July 2028.

Key Features of the Skilled Worker Visa

The key features of the UK skilled worker visa include the following:

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor license.
The job offer must meet specific skills, salary, and language proficiency requirements.
Individuals must score the required number of points based on factors such as job offer, skill level, English proficiency, and salary.

Sponsorship

Employers seeking to hire skilled workers from outside the UK must hold a Skilled Worker Sponsor License issued by UKVI.
Sponsors play a crucial role in the visa application process, issuing Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective employees and ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.

If your prospective employer does not hold a sponsor licence, our specialist team of solicitors for sponsor licences can provide priority service to your prospective employer with an application for a skilled worker sponsor licence to get a decision on the sponsor licence application within 10 working days.

Points-Based Criteria

The Skilled Worker visa falls under the Point-Based System (PBS), which allocates points based on several factors. These include having a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), the job's skill level, English proficiency, meeting the required salary threshold, holding a PhD-level qualification, working in a shortage occupation, and being a new entrant to the workforce. To be eligible to apply for the Skilled Worker visa, a total of 70 points is necessary. Among these, 50 points are obtained from mandatory non-tradable criteria, while the remaining 20 points can be acquired through tradable factors.

Application Process

Prospective applicants must submit their visa application online, providing relevant documentation and personal details.
Upon successful submission, applicants may need to attend a biometric appointment at a designated visa application centre.
The processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa application typically varies depending on the type of service you use. An application submitted through the standard service can take a few weeks. An application submitted through Priority Service is typically decided within five working days, and an application submitted through Super Priority Service is usually decided within 24 hours.

Rights and Benefits

The Skilled Worker Visa holders are entitled to work in the UK for the sponsoring employer in the specified role.
Dependent family members, including spouses/partners and children, can accompany the primary visa holder and may be eligible to work or study in the UK, subject to certain conditions.

Pathway to Settlement

The Skilled Worker Visa provides a pathway to settlement in the UK, with individuals eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence.
ILR grants individuals the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely, paving the way for British citizenship, if desired.

Processing Times for Skilled Worker Visas

The processing time for the skilled worker visa application varies depending on the type of service you use:

Standard Service: An out-of-country application through standard service takes up to 3 weeks, and an in-country application through standard service takes up to 8 weeks.

Priority Service: An application for a skilled worker visa submitted through Priority Service takes up to 5 working days.

Super Priority Service: An application for a skilled worker visa submitted through Super Priority Service is normally decided within 24 hours.

UKVI Fees for Skilled Worker Visas

The fees for a skilled worker visa vary depending on whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

Skilled Worker Visa Fees From Outside The UK

If you're submitting your skilled worker visa application from outside the UK, the standard fee varies depending on the duration of your stay in the UK:

For stays up to 3 years, the fee is £819 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1035 per year.
For stays exceeding 3 years, the fee is £1,618 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £ 1,035 per year.

Skilled Worker Visa Fees From Inside The UK

If you're applying for a skilled worker visa from within the UK to switch, extend or update your skilled worker visa, the standard fee also depends on the duration of your intended stay:

For stays up to 3 years, the fee is £943 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1035 per year.
For stays exceeding 3 years, the fee is £1,865 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £ 1,035 per year.

Skilled Worker Visa Fees for Jobs on the Immigration Salary List

Individuals whose occupations are listed on the immigration salary list are eligible for reduced application fees for themselves and their families:

The fee for each person applying is £628 for stays up to 3 years, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the rate of £1035 per year
For stays exceeding 3 years, the fee is £1,235 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £ 1,035 per year.

It's worth noting that the application fee remains the same whether you're applying from within or outside the UK.

Challenge Refusal of Skilled Worker Visa

Has your Skilled Worker visa application been refused by the Home Office or UKVI? A refusal can be extremely stressful, especially where your job offer, sponsorship, employment start date, family plans or future immigration status in the UK depends on the outcome of your application.

If the Home Office UKVI refuses your application, you can challenge the refusal decision by requesting an Administrative Review of your refusal decision. Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can represent you in your Administrative Review (AR) to challenge the refusal of your skilled worker visa application.

What Is a Skilled Worker Visa Refusal?

A Skilled Worker visa refusal occurs when UK Visas and Immigration decides that an applicant has not met one or more requirements under the Skilled Worker route. The refusal letter will normally explain the reasons for refusal and whether you have a right to request an Administrative Review.

Skilled Worker visa refusals can be caused by errors in the application form, problems with the Certificate of Sponsorship, salary issues, incorrect occupation codes, insufficient points, concerns about genuineness, maintenance issues, sponsor licence problems, or caseworker mistakes.

In some cases, the refusal may be legally wrong and can be challenged. In other cases, it may be better to prepare and submit a fresh Skilled Worker visa application with stronger evidence.

Legal Services for Challenging Skilled Worker Visa Refusals

At Premium Solicitors, our specialist immigration solicitors have extensive experience in handling Skilled Worker visa refusals, Administrative Reviews, fresh Skilled Worker visa applications, pre-action protocol letters, and judicial review claims where appropriate. We can carefully review your refusal letter, identify whether UKVI made an error, advise you on the best legal remedy and prepare strong representations to challenge the refusal decision.

Whether your application was refused from outside the UK as an entry clearance application or from inside the UK as a switching or extension application, our expert Skilled Worker visa refusal solicitors can provide fast, practical and strategic legal advice.

Other Related Services

The following are various other related services offered by our specialist team of UK immigration solicitors:

Our Team of Specialist Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors

Our skilled worker visa solicitors have in-depth expertise in UK immigration law, with a specific focus on the Skilled Worker Visa pathway. We are well-versed in the nuances of securing this visa and remain up to date with the latest regulations and requirements, ensuring precise guidance for our clients. Our immigration solicitors specialise in Skilled Worker Visa applications, with extensive experience and a proven track record of managing these cases effectively. We provide prompt, accessible, and reliable fixed-fee immigration advice and legal assistance customised to meet the requirements of your UK Skilled Worker Visa application.

Premium Solicitors are specialists in skilled worker visa applications. The high quality of the services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced skilled worker visa solicitors is evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating earned by 99% of our clients.