Getting a work visa for the UK can feel like a maze, especially with recent rule updates that bumped up salary limits and changed skill level guidelines.
But stripped down to its core, the system runs on a straightforward, points-based approach. If you hit the targets, you get the visa.
Here is exactly how to navigate the process for the UK’s primary pathway: the Skilled Worker Visa.
The Big Three: What You Need to Qualify
To get a Skilled Worker Visa, you must score 70 points based on specific criteria. The good news is that the first 50 points are non-negotiable but simple to understand:
- An approved job offer (20 points): You can’t just move to the UK and look for a job. You must first secure an offer from an employer approved by the UK Home Office to sponsor foreign workers.
- The right skill level (20 points): The job must generally meet RQF Level 6 or above—which means the role is complex enough to require a university-degree level of skill (though you don’t necessarily need a degree yourself if you have equivalent experience).
- English Language Proficiency (10 points): First-time applicants must prove their English language ability at a CEFR Level B2 (upper-intermediate) or higher via an approved test, or by holding a degree taught entirely in English.
The Remaining 20 Points: The Salary Rule
The final 20 points come down to what you are being paid.
The general minimum salary threshold is £41,700 per year, or the specific “going rate” for your job code—whichever is higher.
Exceptions to the Rule: You can sometimes trade points and be paid less (around £31,300 to £37,500) if you qualify as a “new entrant” (such as a recent graduate under 26) or if you hold a relevant PhD.
Step-by-Step: The Application Process
Once you have the job offer lined up, the logistical process follows a strict order.
Step 1: Receive Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your licensed UK employer will assign you a virtual document called a Certificate of Sponsorship. It holds a unique reference number tied to your specific role, salary, and work hours. You must use this within 3 months of getting it.
Step 2: Gather Your Core Documents
Before filling out the online application, ensure you have your valid passport, proof of English proficiency, your CoS number, and evidence of savings (at least £1,270 in your account for 28 days to show self-sufficiency, unless your sponsor covers this).
Step 3: Submit the Online Application & Pay Fees
Apply on the official UK government website (GOV.UK). You will pay the visa application fee (ranging from £819 to £1,865 depending on duration) and the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the NHS.
Step 4: Verify Identity & Submit Biometrics
Depending on your passport, you will either scan your identity documents using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app or book an in-person appointment at a visa application center to take your fingerprints and photo.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Permanent Settlement
The Skilled Worker Visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time, and it can be extended indefinitely.
Even better, it provides a direct path to permanent residency, known in the UK as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify for ILR, you must live and work in the UK for a continuous 5-year period, spend no more than 180 days outside the country in any 12-month window, and pass the “Life in the UK” test.
