Skilled Worker Visa Requirements: A Guide for Employees

What are the Skilled Worker visa requirements?

You must have a job offer from a Home Office–approved sponsor with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for an eligible occupation code, be paid at least the higher of £41,700 or your code’s going rate (subject to any permitted discounts), meet the English language requirement, pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and usually hold at least £1,270 for 28 days unless your sponsor certifies maintenance; you must apply within 3 months of the CoS issue date.

Check your job and sponsor

Approved sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your prospective employer must hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence and assign your CoS before you apply. You will need the CoS reference and must submit your application within 3 months of the CoS issue date.

Practical step: obtain the CoS reference and confirm the role title, core duties, start date and salary match your offer.

Verify your eligible occupation code

Eligibility is driven by the 4‑digit SOC 2020 occupation code on your CoS, not your job title. Confirm the code is on the eligible jobs list and note the standard going rate attached to that code; salary assessments use those figures [2]. If unsure, compare your duties to the code description and ask HR to explain the classification.

For sponsor context, see our Complete Guide to UK Sponsor Licences: UK Sponsor Licence Guide.

Salary thresholds explained

The general minimum: £41,700 or the going rate, whichever is higher

Your pay must meet at least the higher of:

• £41,700 per year; or
• The standard going rate for your occupation code [2].

If your code’s going rate exceeds £41,700, you must reach that higher figure. If it is lower, the £41,700 general threshold usually applies unless you qualify for a discount. For pay benchmarking and worked examples, see Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements and Going Rate.

When you can be paid less

Certain applicants can be paid between 70% and 90% of the usual requirement, with an absolute floor of £33,400 per year. Discounted routes may include:

• Applicants under 26
• Students or recent graduates
• Applicants with relevant PhD or STEM qualifications
• Some postdoctoral researchers

You must still meet the correct percentage of your occupation code’s going rate and remain at or above £33,400. Each route has defined eligibility and evidence rules; agree the route with your sponsor before the CoS is issued.

Quick calculation checks

Before your sponsor assigns the CoS, confirm:

• Whether you qualify for a discount route (for example, under 26, student/recent graduate, relevant PhD/STEM, postdoctoral)
• The percentage applicable to your route and how it applies to your code’s going rate
• That your final salary meets the highest applicable figure after any discount and is never below £33,400

English language requirement

Most applicants must prove English in reading, writing, speaking and listening at CEFR level B2. If you are extending or updating a Skilled Worker visa held before 8 January 2026, CEFR B1 may apply. You can meet the rule by one of the following:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider at the required level
• Being a national of a recognised English‑speaking country
• Holding a UK degree, or a non‑UK degree taught in English that UKVI accepts [4]

Check the provider is approved and your score meets the CEFR level for your route. If relying on a degree taught in English, ensure the documentation is acceptable before you apply. Tests that are not on the approved list or results below B2 for new applicants will not satisfy the rule [4].

Money, fees and documents

Application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge

Visa application fees range from £819 to £1,865 depending on the visa length and where you apply from (outside or inside the UK). You will also usually pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year of permission [5].

Your employer may mention separate sponsor‑side costs such as the Immigration Skills Charge. These are paid by the sponsor but can affect start dates; see our Immigration Skills Charge: Employer’s Complete Guide.

Personal savings (maintenance) requirement

Unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS, you must show at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days. If your balance dips below £1,270 at any point, the 28‑day clock restarts. If the sponsor certifies maintenance, bank evidence is not required [5].

Plan your application around your statements so you can evidence the full 28‑day period without gaps. Do not rely on overdrafts or pending transfers.

Documents to prepare

Typical applicant documents include:

• Passport or travel document
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Proof of English (approved test results or acceptable degree evidence)
• Financial evidence if maintenance is not certified [1][4][5]

If names differ across documents, include evidence of the change.

Timing and application steps

Before you apply

• Confirm your employer is a licensed sponsor and has assigned a CoS for an eligible occupation code.
• Check whether you are on the standard or a discounted salary route, apply the correct percentage to your code’s going rate if relevant, and respect the £33,400 floor.
• Prepare English evidence that meets CEFR B2 (or B1 only for qualifying extensions).
• Budget for the fee and IHS, and arrange finances to show £1,270 for 28 consecutive days unless maintenance is certified.
• Align your intended start date with your sponsor’s CoS timing and keep the 3‑month window in view.

CoS validity and the 3‑month window

You must apply within 3 months of the CoS issue date. If you miss this window, the CoS cannot be used and your sponsor may need to assign a new one [1].

Where you apply from

You can apply from outside the UK or, in some circumstances, from inside the UK. Fees vary by location and duration, so coordinate with HR so the CoS dates, your submission, and your start date align [5].

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Mixing thresholds: Do not confuse the general £41,700 rule with discount routes. Only specific categories qualify, and pay must still meet the correct percentage of the going rate and never fall below £33,400.
• Wrong occupation code: Job titles are not decisive. Verify the SOC 2020 code and its going rate on your CoS.
• Funds evidence gaps: Unless maintenance is certified, hold £1,270 for 28 consecutive days and provide clear statements for the full period.
• English evidence errors: Use an approved provider and meet CEFR B2 (or B1 only for qualifying extensions). Unapproved tests or insufficient scores will be refused.
• Letting the CoS lapse: Apply within 3 months of the CoS issue date or the CoS cannot be used.

How Gateway Immigration Services can help

We map roles to the correct occupation code, model salaries against the general and discounted thresholds, and assemble compliant English and maintenance evidence. We coordinate with HR on CoS content and plan applications within the 3‑month validity window. For sponsor context see our Complete Guide to UK Sponsor Licences, and for pay assessment see Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements and Going Rate.