--Work Route · Sponsored Employment
UK Skilled Worker Visa(Formally Tier 2 Visa)
Higher Salary Floor: The standard baseline threshold is £41,700 per year (or 100% of the SOC code going rate, whichever is higher). Qualifying New Entrants, recent UK graduates, and STEM PhD holders can access a discounted £33,400 floor.
Higher English Requirement: First-time candidates must demonstrate CEFR Level B2 proficiency across reading, writing, speaking, and listening through an approved SELT test or an Ecctis-certified degree taught in English.
Pay-Period Compliance (Paragraph SW 14.3B): The Home Office audits salary pay period by pay period via real-time payroll integration rather than annual averages. Earnings in every single pay cycle must satisfy the pro-rated hourly going rate, backed by rolling averaging windows (3 months for monthly pay, 12 weeks for weekly pay).
Sponsors must audit payroll software and contract terms prior to assigning a CoS to ensure continuous compliance.
Salary now has to be met in every individual pay period, not just as an annual average. Under the UK Skilled Worker Visa rules, a monthly-paid worker on the £41,700 minimum salary threshold must receive at least £3,475 gross every single month — unpaid leave, deductions, or a late payment can breach compliance even if the yearly total looks fine. This applies to sponsors as much as applicants, and UKVI can audit payroll up to 4 years back.
--Salary Thresholds
What the job needs to pay.
To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, your salary must pass three strict compliance checks: the standard general threshold (£41,700), the occupation code’s specific “going rate”, and the pay-period compliance rule. The highest figure among these three requirement tests always applies.
| ROUTE | THRESHOLD |
|---|---|
| General threshold | £41,700 / year |
| PhD relevant to the role | £37,500 / year |
| PhD in STEM, or New Entrant route | £33,400 / year |
| Transitional (on route before 4 April 2024), extending or switching employer | £31,300 / year |
Only basic gross salary counts — allowances, overtime and most bonuses don't. Part-time roles can qualify if pro-rated pay still clears the hourly equivalent, typically £17.13/hour.
What the full sponsorship costs.
Figures current for 2026. Most 3-year sponsorships cost an employer roughly £10,000–£15,000 in fees alone, before salary.
| FEE | AMOUNT | PAID BY |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Sponsorship | £525 | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge (medium/large sponsor) | £1,320 / year | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge (small/charitable sponsor) | £364 / year | Employer |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 / year | Applicant (often reimbursed) |
Recovering the visa application fee, CoS fee, or Immigration Skills Charge from the sponsored worker is prohibited and risks licence revocation.
-- Eligibility
What has to be true.
Job at RQF Level 3+
The role must sit at the required skill level, confirmed against its specific occupation code.
Licensed sponsor
Your employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship.
English at B2
Raised from B1 for new applicants from 8 January 2026 — check which level applies to your application date.
Genuine vacancy
The role must be genuine and the salary offer must reflect what's actually being paid, checked pay period by pay period.
-- Documents
What you'll need to provide.
--Our Process
Four steps, start to finish.
Eligibility check
We confirm your role, salary, and occupation code clear every UK Skilled Worker Visa threshold that applies — including the pay-period rule.
Documents prepared
Every document is checked against current UK Skilled Worker Visa requirements before submission.
Application submitted
Your adviser submits and tracks your UK Skilled Worker Visa progress through to decision.
Ongoing support
We explain your route towards extension and settlement once your UK Skilled Worker Visa is granted.
--Questions
Frequently asked.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION | ANSWER & DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Do UK businesses still need to renew their Sponsor Licence for a UK Skilled Worker Visa? | In most cases, no. As of April 2024, the Home Office removed routine 4-year sponsor licence renewals. Licences due to expire on or after this date were automatically extended by 10 years, making it simpler for employers to sponsor candidates under the UK Skilled Worker Visa route. You can view official updates on GOV.UK. |
| What is the minimum salary threshold for a UK Skilled Worker Visa? | The general UK Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold is set at £41,700 per year, though specific occupation codes may require a higher "going rate." Furthermore, applicants must meet this gross minimum requirement in every individual pay period, rather than relying solely on annual averages. |
| What is a Defined CoS for a UK Skilled Worker Visa application? | A Defined Certificate of Sponsorship is required when applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa from outside the UK. Employers must submit a specific request to the Home Office for this certificate before assigning it to an overseas candidate. |
| Can I switch to a UK Skilled Worker Visa from inside the country? | Yes, eligible individuals can switch to a UK Skilled Worker Visa status from within the UK if they currently hold a valid visa (such as a Graduate or Student visa) and have secured a qualifying job offer from an approved sponsor. |
| What are the core UK Skilled Worker Visa requirements for 2026? | The primary UK Skilled Worker Visa requirements include having an eligible job offer at RQF Level 3 or higher from a licensed sponsor, proving English proficiency at the required level (B2 level for new applicants), and meeting the relevant pay-period salary thresholds. |