A comprehensive guide to Skilled Worker Visas extracted from the UK Government website on 30th April 2024. A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. The visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
Contents
- Overview
- Your job
- If you got your certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024
- When you can be paid less
- If you work in healthcare or education
- Knowledge of English
- How much it costs
- Documents you’ll need to apply
- Apply from outside the UK
- Your partner and children
- Extend your visa
- Update your visa if you change job or employer
- Switch to this visa
- Taking on additional work
Overview
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.
This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
It also allows you to work in UK waters.
Eligibility
Your job
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:
- work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (CoS) from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
- do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- be paid a minimum salary – how much depends on the type of work you do and the date you got your CoS
The specific eligibility depends on your job.
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.
Knowledge of English
You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
If you’re not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa
You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.
How long you can stay
Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.
After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.
How to apply
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- inside the UK and extending your current visa
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
How much it costs
You, your partner or children will each need to:
- pay the application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
- prove you have enough personal savings
Check how much money you’ll need.
If you work in public sector healthcare
If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.
What you can and cannot do
With a Skilled Worker visa you can:
- work in an eligible job
- study
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- take on additional work in certain circumstances
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Skilled Worker visa.
2. Your job
You must meet both the following requirements to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa:
- your job is eligible for this visa
- you’ll be working for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
You must also be paid at least either:
- the minimum ‘standard’ salary rate for the type of work you’ll be doing
- the minimum ‘lower’ salary rate if you got your certificate of sponsorship (CoS) before 4 April 2024
The minimum ‘standard’ salary for the type of work you’ll be doing is whichever is the higher of:
- £38,700 per year
- the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing
Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.
Check if your job is eligible
Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code.
If you already have a job offer, ask your employer for your occupation code.
Look up your job’s occupation code
If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the CASCOT occupation coding tool.
Not every job title is included. If you cannot find your exact job title, try searching for similar jobs.
Make sure the job description matches what you’ll be doing. Some similar jobs have different codes, for example chefs and cooks. Chefs are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, but cooks are not.
Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa
When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included.
The table is very large. It’s sorted in order of occupation code, with the smallest numbers at the top. You may be able to use your web browser to search for your code on the page.
Salary requirements
You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
Example
Your salary is £39,000 per year, but the annual going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £45,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa.
Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.
If you work in healthcare or education
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs, where the going rate is based on national pay scales.
When you can be paid less
If you do not meet the usual salary requirements, and you do not work in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your salary will be at least £30,960 per year.
Check when you can be paid less.
If you got your certificate of sponsorship (CoS) before 4 April 2024 you may be able to meet lower salary requirements.
Approved UK employers
You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK.
View the list of approved UK employers.
If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible.
They’ll need to pay a fee – £536 for small businesses and charities or £1,476 for medium and large organisations. It usually takes around 8 weeks to process a licence application.
If you’re a care worker or senior care worker
Your employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission if you’re a care worker (code 6135) or senior care worker (code 6136) working in England.
Check if your employer is registered with the Care Quality Commission.
If you already have a job offer from an approved employer
Your employer – also known as your sponsor – will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. They’ll give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to prove this.
The certificate of sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document. It will have a reference number, which you’ll need for your visa application.
You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
3. If you got your certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024
There are lower salary requirements if either:
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for this visa application before 4 April 2024
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024 and have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since then
You can be paid whichever is higher of £29,000 or the lower going rate for your occupation if you make an application to:
- apply to this visa
- extend your visa
- update your visa
- change (‘switch’) to this visa
Lower salary requirements will only be in place for applications made before 4 April 2030. These salary requirements will be updated regularly and your salary will still need to rise in line with the updated going rates each time you apply.
Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the lower going rate for your job in the going rates table.
When you can be paid less
You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the lower going rate for your job if your salary is at least £23,200 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:
- you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100)
- you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Check how much you will need to be paid for these jobs in the going rates table.
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs.
If your job is on the immigration salary list
If your job is on the immigration salary list, you need to be paid at least £23,200 or your job’s full going rate, whichever is higher.
If you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
You can be paid at least 70% of your job’s lower going rate if your salary will be at least £23,200 per year.
Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) or Graduate visa.
If you have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
If you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification, you can be paid at least 80% of the lower going rate if your salary will be at least £23,200 per year.
If you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject, you can be paid at least 90% of the lower going rate if your salary will be at least £26,100 per year.
If you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
You can be paid at least 70% of the lower going rate if your salary will be at least £23,200 per year.
Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) or Graduate visa.
4. When you can be paid less
You might still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than the standard salary requirement of £38,700 or your job’s standard ‘going rate’.
You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the standard going rate for your job if your salary is at least £30,960 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:
- you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £26,100)
- you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs.
Your job is on the immigration salary list
The immigration salary list is a list of skilled jobs which have lower salary requirements.
If your job is on the immigration salary list you also pay a lower fee to apply for your visa.
You must be paid at least £30,960 per year if you are being sponsored for a job on the immigration salary list.
You must still be paid at least the standard going rate for your job. Check the standard going rate for your job in the going rates table.
View the immigration salary list to see if your job is included and how much you’ll need to be paid.
Make sure you check whether your job is listed in the part of the UK you’ll be working in – UK-wide, or only in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £30,960 per year and one of the following applies:
- you’re under 26 on the date you apply
- you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa studying at bachelor’s degree level or above – or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Student or visit visa was your most recent visa
- you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa, or you have been in the last 2 years you’ll be working towards a recognised qualification in a UK regulated profession
- you’ll be working towards full registration or chartered status in the job you’re being sponsored for
If this applies to you, check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa.
Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply for one of these reasons. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Graduate visa.
You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
If your job is eligible for a PhD salary discount, you can be paid 80% or 90% of the job’s standard going rate, depending on which subject you are qualified in.
If you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) qualification, you can be paid 80% of your job’s standard going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £30,960 a year.
If you have a non-STEM qualification, you can be paid 90% of your job’s standard going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £34,830 a year.
In both situations, you must:
- have a UK PhD or an equivalent doctorate-level overseas qualification – you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to check if an overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK PhD
- be able to prove your qualification is relevant to the job you’ll be doing in the UK – your employer can confirm this
View the list of jobs that qualify for a PhD salary discount to see if your job is included and how much you need to be paid.
If you’re a research or academic leader, you may also be eligible to apply for the Global Talent visa. This visa has no language or minimum salary requirements.
You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if you’ll be working in a postdoctoral position in certain science or higher education roles.
Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for this salary discount:
- 2111: chemical scientists
- 2112: biological scientists
- 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
- 2114: physical scientists
- 2115: social and humanities scientists
- 2119: natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
- 2162: other researchers, unspecified discipline
- 2311: higher education teaching professionals
If this applies to you, check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa.
Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply to work in a postdoctoral position at 70% of the standard going rate. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Graduate visa.
5. If you work in healthcare or education
There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs. Your salary must be at least £23,200 – or more if your job’s ‘going rate’ is higher.
The going rates for these jobs are based on the national pay scales set by the relevant independent body, for example the NHS.
View the list of eligible healthcare and education jobs to see if your job is included.
National pay scales tables
If your job is on the list, your salary must be at least the national pay scale rate for the job you’ll be doing.
These going rates apply whether you’ll be working in the public or private sector.
Check how much you’ll need to be paid in the:
- table of national pay scales for eligible healthcare jobs – listed by NHS pay band and area of the UK
- table of national pay scales for eligible teaching and education leadership jobs – listed by role and area of the UK
Ask your employer if you’re not sure what your role or pay band will be.
6. Knowledge of English
You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.
Level of English
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can prove your knowledge of English by:
- passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18
- having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD
Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
If you’re a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or vet
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve already passed an English Language assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body.
If you’re a vet, you may need to prove that you passed an English Language assessment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
7. How much it costs
When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:
- pay the application fee – the standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on your circumstances
- pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £1,035 per year
- support yourself when you arrive in the UK – you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)
You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the immigration salary list.
You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.
For example, you’re applying to come to the UK from Argentina for 2 years on a Skilled Worker visa.
Your job is not on the immigration salary list so your visa will cost £719, plus £1,035 for each year of your stay for the healthcare surcharge. This means you’ll pay a total of £2,789 when you apply for your visa.
You’ll also need to prove you have £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK if your employer cannot cover these costs.
Application fees
If you’re applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
- up to 3 years – £719 per person
- more than 3 years – £1,420 per person
If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
- up to 3 years – £827 per person
- more than 3 years – £1,636 per person
If your job is on the immigration salary list
You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the immigration salary list.
The fee for each person applying is:
- £551 if you’re staying for up to 3 years
- £1,084 if you’re staying for more than 3 years
The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay – this is usually £1,035 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
If your employer can support you instead
Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.
8. Documents you’ll need to apply
When you apply you’ll need to provide:
- your certificate of sponsorship reference number – your employer will give you this
- proof of your knowledge of English
- a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
- your job title and annual salary
- your job’s occupation code
- the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number – this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one.
Other documents you might need
Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:
- evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)
- proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you
- your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country
- a criminal record certificate – if you’re working in certain jobs
- a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher
- your UK PhD certificate, or your unique Ecctis reference number (formerly unique UK NARIC reference number) if your qualification is from outside the UK – you’ll need to apply through Ecctis
You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re:
- from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it
If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.
Criminal record certificate
You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK and you work in:
- education, for example teachers, education advisers and school inspectors, childminders, teaching assistants
- healthcare, for example nurses, doctors, paramedics, managers, pharmacists, dentists and dental nurses, ophthalmic opticians
- therapy, for example psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors
- social services, for example social workers, managers, probation officers, welfare and housing officers
Check how to apply for criminal records checks.
If you work in healthcare, you might be able to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
If you’ve lived in more than one country
You might need to provide a certificate from each country you’ve lived in, depending on your age and how long you stayed in each country.
If you’re under 28, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more since you turned 18.
If you’re 28 or over, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in over the last 10 years.
When you’ve got your documents ready
You can apply online once your documents are ready.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- inside the UK and extending your current visa
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
If you’ve read the guidance and you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use a Home Office checker tool. You’ll be asked to confirm that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
9. Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Skilled Worker visa.
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- your supporting documents need to be verified
- you need to attend an interview
- of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
10. Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. They’ll need to complete separate applications.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.
If you’re the first person in your family to apply, you can get a ‘family linking code’ to connect your applications together. Your family members can enter the same code when they apply.
If you’re a care worker or senior care worker
Your partner and children cannot apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants unless you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa before 11 March 2024 and one of the following is true:
- you’re currently still on a Skilled Worker visa
- you’re extending your Skilled Worker visa with your current employer
- you’re changing to a new job within the same occupation code while on a Skilled Worker visa
Your partner
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
- you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
- you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture
If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:
- communicate regularly with each other
- support each other financially
- care for any children you have together
- spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events
Your child
They must:
- live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education – for example, at boarding school or university
- not be married or in a civil partnership
You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as:
- a bank statement
- credit card bills
- driving licence
- NHS registration document
- an official letter from their university or college
Money they need to support themselves
Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.
You – or your partner or child – will need:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Example
You – or your partner or child – would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child).
You would also need to have £1,270 available to support yourself for your own application.
You – or your partner or child – will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:
- you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
- your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK – this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship
If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.
Apply from outside the UK
Your partner and children must either:
Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.
They’ll need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
They can also enter a ‘family linking code’ if you got one when you applied. This will connect your applications.
Proving their identity
As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.
They’ll either:
- have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.
If they do need an appointment:
- the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
- they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)
How long it takes to get a decision
Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they’ll be told if they can when they apply.
Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)
If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:
- at the same time as you
- at any time before their current visa expires
This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.
Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your Skilled Worker visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:
- completed the course they were sponsored to study
- studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
If you’re a care worker or senior care worker
Your partner and children cannot apply to join you or stay as your dependants if you switch to a Skilled Worker visa from another visa.
They can only apply to join you or stay if you were employed as a care worker or senior care worker in the UK and on a Skilled Worker visa before 11 March 2024 and one of the following is true:
- you’re currently still on a Skilled Worker visa
- you’re extending your Skilled Worker visa with your current employer
- you’re changing to a new job within the same occupation code while on a Skilled Worker visa
How to apply
The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.
If your partner or child apply separately, they’ll need to either:
They’ll need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
They can also enter a ‘family linking code’ if you got one when you applied. This will connect your applications.
Proving their identity
As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:
- have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they’ll be told if they can when they apply.
Children born in the UK
If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.
The form you fill in depends on whether your child is inside or outside the UK. Your child must either:
You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.
You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.
What your partner or child can and cannot do
Your partner or child can:
- work, except as a sportsperson or coach
- study
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if they’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.
If their application is successful, they’ll get a full list of what they can and cannot do.
11. Extend your visa
You can usually apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of the following are true:
- you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
If you’re a care worker or a senior care worker, your partner and children may not be able to stay in the UK as your dependants when you extend your visa.
If you have a Skilled Worker visa
If you got your certificate of sponsorship (CoS) before 4 April 2024 you may be able to meet lower salary requirements.
If you have a Tier 2 (General) work visa
You may be able to meet different eligibility requirements, depending on:
- whether you got the certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 visa before or after 24 November 2016
- your occupation code – some have different going rates
The requirements will apply if you either:
- have a Tier 2 (General) work visa
- had a Tier 2 (General) work visa which you’ve extended as a Skilled Worker visa
If you got your certificate of sponsorship on or after 24 November 2016
If you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you will still need to meet the lower salary requirements, but your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Any allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.
Jobs with different going rates
For some jobs, the going rate for the Skilled Worker visa is different if you had a Tier 2 (General) visa. These going rates are based on a 40-hour working week.
| Occupation code for your Tier 2 (General) application | Occupation code for your current application | Going rate | 90% of going rate | 80% of going rate | 70% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2114 Physical scientists | 2113 Physical scientists | £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) | £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) | £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline | 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) | £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline | 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | £33,000 (£15.87 per hour) | £29,700 (14.28 per hour) | £26,400 (£12.69 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | £33,000 (£15.87 per hour) | £29,700 (14.28 per hour) | £26,400 (£12.69 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 2322 Education managers | 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | £33,000 (£15.87 per hour) | £29,700 (14.28 per hour) | £26,400 (£12.69 per hour) | £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) |
If you’ve changed job or employer
You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead.
Fees
Check how much it costs for your type of visa.
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have.
You’ll either:
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
Apply to extend your Skilled Worker visa
You must apply online before your current visa expires.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- your supporting documents need to be verified
- you need to attend an interview
- of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
12. Update your visa if you change job or employer
You’ll need to apply to update your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) work visa if:
- you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer
- your job changes to a different occupation code, and you’re not in a graduate training programme
- you leave a job that’s on the immigration salary list for a job that is not on the list
You do not need to apply again if you stay in the same job, but your job is taken off the immigration salary list.
If you’ll be doing a different job for your current employer, you only need to apply to update your visa if your new job is in a different occupation code.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Fees
Check how much it costs for your type of visa.
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.
Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply
Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this.
You may be able to meet lower salary requirements if either:
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for this visa application before 4 April 2024
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for your first Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024 and have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since then
You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year.
If you’re applying to add a second job to your current visa
You must apply to update your visa if you take on a second job that is more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you’re being sponsored for.
Your second job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this.
You’ll also need to include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay.
Your letter must state:
- your name
- your date of birth
- your current certificate of sponsorship reference number
- the date when your current permission to stay runs out
If your application is successful, you’ll get a new visa giving you permission to do both jobs.
You do not need to apply to update your visa if you’re taking on additional work that has an eligible occupation code or you’ll be doing less than 20 paid hours a week.
When to apply to update your visa
You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.
You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered, or to work out your notice period – as long as you apply before your current visa expires.
You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.
Apply to update your visa
You must apply online.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- your supporting documents need to be verified
- you need to attend an interview
- of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
13. Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Your partner and children
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
If you’re switching to this visa as a care worker or senior care worker, your partner or child will not be able to switch as your dependant to this visa.
Eligibility
You must meet the following requirements:
If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also meet one of the following requirements:
- you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- your job start date is after your course has finished
- you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
If you got your certificate of sponsorship (CoS) before 4 April 2024 you may be able to meet lower salary requirements.
Who cannot apply to switch to this visa
You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a Skilled Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.
Fees
Each person applying will need to pay:
- the visa application fee
- the healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay – check how much you’ll have to pay
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.
If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year, you’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.
How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
Apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa
You must apply online before your current visa expires.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- your supporting documents need to be verified
- you need to attend an interview
- of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
14. Taking on additional work
If you work overtime in the job you’re being sponsored for, you do not need to update your visa.
There’s no limit to how many hours of overtime you can do.
You can also work up to 20 hours a week in another job or for your own business, as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for.
Your work must be in an eligible occupation code.
You can also do unpaid voluntary work.
If you’ll be doing more than 20 hours a week in another job
You’ll need to apply to update your visa so that you’re being sponsored to do both jobs.
You’ll need to:
- get a new certificate of sponsorship from your second employer
- include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay
