--- title: "UK Skilled Worker visa: requirements, salary and costs explained" url: https://immigrantset.com/visas/uk-skilled-worker-visa/ published: 2026-11-06 updated: 2026-11-06 --- # UK Skilled Worker visa: requirements, salary and costs explained > Who qualifies for the UK Skilled Worker visa, the £41,700 general salary threshold, the B2 English rule, every fee and how long a decision takes. - URL: https://immigrantset.com/visas/uk-skilled-worker-visa/ - Section: Visas & Residency - Countries: United Kingdom - Author: Henrik Larsen, International Immigration Lawyer, Corporate Mobility and Immigration Compliance; Nika Kapanadze, Senior Immigration Law Consultant, International Mobility and Residency Strategy - Published: 2026-11-06 - Last checked: 2026-11-06 - Topics: Skilled Worker visa, UK work visa, certificate of sponsorship, Immigration Health Surcharge - Cite as: Henrik Larsen and Nika Kapanadze, "UK Skilled Worker visa: requirements, salary and costs explained", Immigrantset, November 6, 2026, https://immigrantset.com/visas/uk-skilled-worker-visa/ **Short answer:** To get a UK Skilled Worker visa you need a job offer from a Home Office approved sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, an eligible occupation, English at CEFR level B2 for new applications, and usually a salary of at least £41,700 or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. Application fees start at £819 from outside the UK, plus a £1,035 a year Immigration Health Surcharge. The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people who want to come to the UK, or stay in the UK, to do an eligible job for an approved employer. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa and is the route most overseas professionals use. ## Who the Skilled Worker visa is for You can apply if all of the following are true: - You have a **confirmed job offer** from a UK employer that the Home Office has approved as a sponsor. - Your employer has given you a **certificate of sponsorship (CoS)**, an electronic record with a reference number that you enter in your application. - Your job is on the **list of eligible occupations**. - You will be paid at least the **minimum salary** for your type of work. - You meet the **English language** requirement. If you work in public sector healthcare, check the Health and Care Worker visa first. It is a version of this route with lower fees and no annual Immigration Health Surcharge. ## Minimum salary rules The salary rule is the part most applicants get wrong, because there are two numbers and you must meet the higher one. | Rule | Amount (per year) | Applies to | |---|---|---| | General salary threshold | £41,700 | Most new applicants | | Going rate for your occupation code | Varies by job | Every applicant; if it is higher than £41,700 you must meet it | | Reduced threshold ("can be paid less") | £33,400 | Some applicants who do not meet the usual rules, outside healthcare and education | | Healthcare and education roles | National pay scales | Doctors, nurses, teachers and similar roles | **Example from GOV.UK:** if your salary is £42,000 but the going rate for your occupation is £45,000, you do not qualify, even though you are above £41,700. Extensions and changes of job or employer can have lower minimums, depending on when you got your first certificate of sponsorship. Check the "your job" page on GOV.UK for your exact case. ## English language requirement New applicants must prove English at **CEFR level B2** in reading, writing, speaking and listening. If you are extending or updating a visa you held before 8 January 2026, the level is B1. You can prove your English with: - a GCSE, A Level or Scottish qualification in English, begun before you were 18 - a degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution - a non-UK degree taught in English, confirmed by an Ecctis assessment - a pass in a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider Nationals of countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malta and Jamaica do not need to prove English. ## How much it costs Each applicant, including your partner and children, pays an application fee and the healthcare surcharge. | Cost | Up to 3 years | More than 3 years | |---|---|---| | Application from outside the UK | £819 | £1,618 | | Extending or switching inside the UK | £943 | £1,865 | | Job on the immigration salary list | £628 | £1,235 | On top of the application fee: - **Immigration Health Surcharge:** £1,035 for each year of your visa, paid upfront. - **Personal savings:** £1,270 held for 28 days in a row, unless you have been in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or your employer certifies your maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship. **A worked example:** one person applying from abroad for a 5 year visa pays £1,618 plus 5 × £1,035 surcharge, a total of £6,793 before any priority service. ## How long you can stay and the path to settlement The visa can last up to 5 years before it must be extended, and you can extend as many times as you like while you still qualify. After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, the UK's permanent settlement status. ## Decision times After you apply online and prove your identity, you will usually get a decision within **3 weeks** from outside the UK or **8 weeks** from inside the UK. Faster, paid services may be available. ## Common mistakes to avoid - **Checking only the £41,700 figure.** Always look up the going rate for your occupation code. - **Budgeting only for the application fee.** The healthcare surcharge for a 5 year visa is several times larger. - **Applying before the certificate of sponsorship is assigned.** You need the reference number to apply. - **Using an old English test.** Make sure your proof meets the B2 level that applies to new applications. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Can I apply for a Skilled Worker visa without a job offer?** A: No. GOV.UK says you must have a confirmed job offer from an approved UK employer and a certificate of sponsorship for that role before you apply. **Q: What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa?** A: The general threshold is £41,700 a year, or the going rate for your occupation code if that is higher. Some applicants can be paid less, down to £33,400, and healthcare and education roles follow national pay scales. **Q: How long does a Skilled Worker visa decision take?** A: Usually within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and within 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK, once you have proved your identity and provided your documents. **Q: Can the Skilled Worker visa lead to settlement?** A: Yes. The visa can last up to 5 years and can be extended. After 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, if you meet the rules at that time. ## Sources 1. [GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, overview](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa) 2. [GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, your job and salary](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job) 3. [GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, how much it costs](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs) 4. [GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, knowledge of English](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english)