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ImmigrationGPT gives information about UK immigration, not advice on your own case. It is independent and not part of the Home Office. Under section 84 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, only regulated advisers and lawyers can give immigration advice. For advice on your own case, find a regulated solicitor.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, including GOV.UK guidance and the Home Office register of licensed sponsors.

ImmigrationGPT includes data supplied by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The SRA does not endorse ImmigrationGPT or any firm listed here.

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UK work visa guides

How the Skilled Worker route works, what it costs and what changed in 2026, written from GOV.UK guidance and the Immigration Rules.

Last reviewed April 2026. Source: GOV.UK Immigration Rules
Usual processing time
3 to 8 weeks
Longest single grant
5 years
General salary threshold
£41,700
Points needed
70

All guides

  • What changed in 2026NewSalary thresholds, B2 English and the transitional protections for people already on the route.
  • Sponsor licence changes, April 2026Salary checks, sponsor fees and the compliance duties employers picked up in the April update.
  • Skilled Worker visa overviewWho the route is for, the skill and salary levels, and how long the visa lasts.
  • Licensed sponsorsWhat a sponsor licence covers and how to tell whether an employer holds one.
  • The application, stage by stageFrom the Certificate of Sponsorship to the decision letter, with the usual waiting times.
  • Costs and feesApplication fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge and the maintenance funds rule.
  • Certificate of SponsorshipWhat a CoS is, the £525 fee, how employers assign one and why they get refused.
  • Searching the sponsor registerHow the Home Office register is laid out and how to read an entry.
  • When a sponsor licence is revokedWhat happens to sponsored workers, including the 60-day curtailment period.

Guides by country

Ask Inky, our AI, about a route

The visa routes and documents for applicants from India, China and Singapore.

  • IndiaUK visa guide for Indian nationals
  • ChinaUK visa guide for Chinese nationals
  • SingaporeUK visa guide for Singaporean nationals

What the Skilled Worker visa is

The Skilled Worker visa lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job for an employer with a sponsor licence. It replaced Tier 2 (General) when the points-based system started in January 2021.

What you need

  • A job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence
  • A Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer describing the role
  • A job at RQF level 6 or above (graduate level), from 22 July 2025
  • Pay of at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation if that is higher
  • English at CEFR level B2 for new applications from 8 January 2026 (B1 before that)

How long it lasts

A single grant runs for up to 5 years. Changing job or employer means a new application, and after 5 years on the route some people qualify for indefinite leave to remain.

What the visa allows

Allowed

  • Work in the job on your Certificate of Sponsorship
  • Study
  • Bring dependants
  • Volunteer
  • Travel abroad and come back

Not allowed

  • Most public funds and benefits
  • Working for an employer not named on the certificate
  • Some jobs, such as professional sport
  • Self-employment

This is general information from GOV.UK, not immigration advice. The Immigration Rules change often, so check the current guidance before you apply.

Check an employer on the register

Every licensed sponsor on the Home Office register has a page here with its licence status and routes.

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