UK skilled worker visa requirements: the complete guide

You can get a UK Skilled Worker visa if your employer holds a Home Office sponsor licence, assigns you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), your role appears on the eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes list, and you score 70 points under the points-based system. That is the verdict. The three actions to take right now are:

Get your CoS reference number from your sponsor and confirm the start date, because your CoS is valid for three months from issue and your application must land within that window.
Check your SOC 2020 code and going rate against the GOV.UK going rates table to confirm your offered salary meets the higher of the standard threshold or your occupation’s going rate.
Gather your English evidence and financial documents now, because these are the two areas most likely to delay or invalidate an application at the last minute.

Pro Tip: The CoS validity window is the most overlooked timing risk. If your sponsor issues the CoS and you delay gathering documents, you may need a fresh CoS, which requires your employer to go back to the Home Office. Build your document checklist before the CoS is assigned, not after.

Key takeaways

Meeting all the UK Skilled Worker visa requirements means satisfying every mandatory eligibility pillar, scoring 70 points, and submitting a complete, correctly formatted application within the CoS validity window.

Point	Details
70-point threshold	50 mandatory points (sponsor, skill level, English) plus 20 tradeable points (salary).
Salary going-rate rule	Your salary must meet the higher of £41,700 and your SOC code’s going rate, pro-rated for hours.
CoS timing	Apply within three months of CoS issue; a lapsed CoS requires a new one from your sponsor.
Document compliance	TB test, criminal record certificate, and ATAS must be present where required; missing any invalidates the application.
Mnssolicitors	Fixed-fee, solicitor-led Skilled Worker visa support with fast-track preparation available in as little as 24 hours.

What are the skilled worker visa requirements you must meet?
How the 70-point test works
What documents do you need for a Skilled Worker visa application?
How to apply for a Skilled Worker visa: step by step
What are the fees and processing times?
Special rules, exemptions and roles with additional checks
Common reasons applications are refused and how to fix them
When should you consult a solicitor, and what will they check?
Why specialist review matters more than most applicants realise
How Mnssolicitors can support your Skilled Worker visa application
Sources

What are the skilled worker visa requirements you must meet?

The Skilled Worker visa permits you to live and work in the UK with an approved employer. Every applicant must satisfy a set of mandatory eligibility pillars before the Home Office will grant permission. Each one is a hard requirement, not a preference.

Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence with an A-rating from the Home Office. You can verify this on the register of licensed sponsors. Once confirmed, your employer assigns you a CoS, which carries a unique reference number, your job title, SOC code, salary, and start date. You must include this reference in your online application.

Hand placing sealed CoS envelope on desk

The CoS is valid for three months from the date it is assigned. Apply within that window. If it lapses, your employer must assign a new one, which takes time and may affect your start date.

Eligible job and SOC 2020 occupation codes

Your job must correspond to an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code. The 4-digit code, not your job title, determines eligibility. Your actual day-to-day duties must align with the published SOC definition for that code. A mismatch between duties and code is one of the most common reasons the Home Office refuses applications.

From 22 July 2025, Appendix Skilled Worker raised the skill threshold to RQF level 6 (degree level) for most roles, with specific transitional arrangements for workers already in the route before that date. Check the current eligible occupations list carefully if your role sits near the boundary.

Salary requirement

The minimum salary is the higher of two figures: the standard threshold or the going rate for your specific SOC code. GOV.UK’s going rates guidance confirms this higher-of rule applies to every application.

The standard threshold for most applicants is a set minimum salary generally recognized by the Home Office. However, many SOC codes carry going rates above that figure. If your occupation’s going rate is, say, £48,000, your offer must meet £48,000, not £41,700.

Salary is also pro-rated for hours. If you work 30 hours per week rather than 37.5, the going rate is scaled down proportionally. Lower or alternative rates apply in specific circumstances:

New entrant rate: applies if you are under 26, in your first two years of a graduate job, or switching from a student visa. The new entrant rate is typically 70% of the going rate.
Immigration Salary List: certain shortage occupations attract a lower salary threshold. Check the current list on GOV.UK, as it is updated periodically.
Health and Care visa: NHS and social care roles have sector-specific salary rules.

A concrete example: a software developer (SOC 2136) with a going rate of £49,400 must be offered at least £49,400 full-time. If offered 30 hours per week, the pro-rated going rate applies, and the salary must still meet that pro-rated figure, not simply the £41,700 standard threshold.

English language requirement

You must demonstrate English at CEFR level B2 or above. Acceptable evidence includes:

A degree taught in English (from a recognised institution)
A Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI, Trinity College London SELT, or LanguageCert
A GCSE, A-level, or Scottish Higher in English (for UK nationals or those educated in the UK)
Nationality: citizens of majority English-speaking countries listed by the Home Office are exempt from the test requirement

For further detail on which tests and qualifications are accepted, the MNS Solicitors guide to English language requirements sets out the options clearly. Transitional arrangements exist for some applicants who held permission under the previous rules at B1 level, but new applicants must meet B2.

Financial and maintenance requirement

If your sponsor certifies on the CoS that they will cover your maintenance for the first month, you do not need to show personal savings. If they do not certify maintenance, you must show evidence of personal savings held continuously for a specified period before the date of your application. The 28-day window must end no more than 31 days before you apply. GOV.UK’s financial evidence page sets out the full rules.

Even when your sponsor does certify maintenance, it is worth holding contingency evidence of funds. An incorrectly completed CoS can leave you exposed to a maintenance refusal, and you will not have the opportunity to supply missing evidence after submission.

Age and additional checks

You must be at least 18 years old. Depending on your role and nationality, you may also need:

A tuberculosis (TB) test if you are applying from a country on the Home Office’s required list
A criminal record certificate for roles working with vulnerable adults or children
An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your role involves certain sensitive research subjects

How the 70-point test works

Every Skilled Worker visa application must score at least 70 points. The system divides into 50 mandatory points and 20 tradeable points.

Mandatory points (50 points total)

These cannot be substituted or traded. You either have them or you do not.

Requirement	Points
Job offer from an approved sponsor with valid CoS	20
Job at the appropriate skill level (RQF 6 from 22 July 2025)	20
English language at CEFR B2	10

Diagram illustrating mandatory points distribution for Skilled Worker visa

Tradeable points (20 points required)

You must score 20 points from the salary and related criteria. The most common routes are:

Route	Points
Salary meets or exceeds the going rate and standard threshold	20
Salary at 70% of going rate (new entrant or PhD relevant to role)	20
Salary at 70% of going rate (new entrant rate, or Immigration Salary List role)	20
PhD in a subject relevant to the role	10 (can combine with salary shortfall)
PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the role	20 (can combine with salary shortfall)

The most straightforward path to 70 points is a salary that meets both the standard threshold and the going rate. Where salary falls short, a relevant PhD or new entrant status can bridge the gap, but only within the permitted bands.

Two common scoring failures:

An applicant offers a salary of £42,000 against a going rate of £48,000 and assumes the standard threshold is sufficient. The caseworker scores zero tradeable points on salary and refuses the application.
An applicant claims new entrant status but is 28 years old and more than two years past graduation. The lower rate does not apply, and the salary falls below the going rate. Refusal follows.

Caseworker guidance confirms that points and documentary checks are applied strictly. There is very little scope to correct errors after submission.

What documents do you need for a Skilled Worker visa application?

GOV.UK’s documents page confirms that required documents vary by role and sector. The list below covers what most applicants need, with additional requirements flagged clearly.

Core documents (all applicants)

Valid passport or travel document: must be current and show your identity and nationality
CoS reference number: provided by your sponsor; the caseworker will verify it against the Home Office system
Proof of English language: SELT certificate, degree transcript, or nationality evidence as applicable
Employment contract or offer letter: must state your job title, SOC code, salary, and hours
Payslips (if applicable): required if you are already working for the sponsor in the UK

Financial evidence

Employer maintenance certification: if your sponsor certifies on the CoS, no bank statements are needed
Bank statements (if no certification): showing £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date

Role-specific and nationality-specific documents

TB test certificate: required if you are applying from a country on the Home Office’s mandatory list. The test must be carried out by an approved clinic, and the certificate must be dated within six months of your application.
Criminal record certificate: required for roles involving work with children or vulnerable adults, and for certain healthcare positions. The certificate must come from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
ATAS certificate: required if your role involves research in certain sensitive subject areas (physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and related fields at postgraduate level). Apply through the ATAS portal well in advance, as processing takes several weeks.

Pro Tip: Your employment contract must reflect the duties described in the SOC code your sponsor has assigned. If the contract lists responsibilities that do not match the SOC definition, a caseworker may conclude the code is wrong and refuse the application. Ask your employer to cross-reference the contract wording against the published SOC 2020 occupational description before submitting.

Document formatting notes

Translations must be provided by a professional translator and include a signed statement of accuracy. Certified copies are acceptable for some documents, but originals are preferred where possible. Documents in languages other than English or Welsh must always be accompanied by a full translation.

For a comprehensive urgent-case checklist, the MNS Solicitors urgent visa documents guide covers format requirements and fast-turnaround preparation.

How to apply for a Skilled Worker visa: step by step

The application process follows a fixed sequence. Deviating from the order, or missing a step, can invalidate your application.

Confirm your sponsor’s licence status. Before anything else, verify your employer appears on the register of licensed sponsors with an A-rating.
Receive your CoS reference. Your employer assigns the CoS through the Home Office Sponsorship Management System. Note the reference number and check the start date, salary, and SOC code are correct.
Check your SOC code and going rate. Use the Gov to confirm your code is eligible and your salary meets the higher-of rule.
Gather all required documents. Work through the checklist above. Arrange TB tests, criminal record certificates, and ATAS applications early, as these have their own lead times.
Complete the online application form. Apply via GOV.UK using the Skilled Worker visa application. You will need your CoS reference, passport details, and travel history.
Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Both must be paid at the point of application. An unpaid fee or IHS invalidates the application.
Book your biometrics appointment. After submitting the online form, you will be directed to book an appointment at a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application centre. For guidance on what to expect, the MNS Solicitors visa application centre guide explains the process clearly.
Attend biometrics and submit documents. Bring your passport and any documents required at the centre. Some documents are uploaded online; others are presented in person.
Await a decision. Standard processing times and priority options are covered in the next section.

Timing rules

Apply up to three months before your start date as stated on the CoS.
The CoS itself is valid for three months from the date it is assigned. If you miss the window, a new CoS is required.
If you are switching from another visa route inside the UK, you apply online in the same way but must not start work in the new role until permission is granted.
If you are extending an existing Skilled Worker visa, apply before your current permission expires. You do not need a new CoS if you are staying with the same employer in the same role.
A change of employer or role normally requires a fresh application with a new CoS.

Pro Tip: Apply as early as the three-month window allows. Processing times can vary, and applying close to your start date leaves no margin if the Home Office requests further information or if biometrics centres are busy.

What are the fees and processing times?

Application fees

Fees depend on where you apply from and the duration of permission sought. As of 2026, the main fee bands are:

Applying from outside the UK (visa): £769 for up to 3 years; £1,420 for more than 3 years
Applying from inside the UK (leave to remain): £827 for up to 3 years; £1,500 for more than 3 years
Health and Care visa: reduced fees apply for eligible NHS and social care roles

These figures are set by the Home Office and subject to change. Always confirm the current fee on GOV.UK before applying.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is charged per year of permission granted. A standard rate applies for most applicants, which must be paid in full at the point of application, totaling the charge multiplied by the number of years of the visa. Reduced rates apply for children and certain categories. The IHS must be paid in full before the application is submitted; it cannot be paid in instalments.

Example calculation: A software developer applying for a three-year visa from outside the UK would pay £769 (application fee) plus £3,105 (IHS) at the point of application, totalling £3,874 before any additional costs.

Priority and super-priority processing

Priority service: typically delivers a decision within five working days. An additional fee applies on top of the standard application fee.
Super-priority service: aims for a decision by the end of the next working day. Available for in-country applications; the additional fee is higher.

Standard processing for Skilled Worker applications is typically three weeks for straightforward cases, though this can extend. Priority and super-priority options are available for applicants with urgent timelines.

Additional costs to budget for

TB test fees (varies by country and clinic)
Criminal record certificate fees (varies by issuing country)
Document translation fees
Employer sponsor licence application or renewal fees (borne by the employer, but relevant if your employer is applying for a licence for the first time)

Special rules, exemptions and roles with additional checks

Healthcare and education sector roles

Healthcare workers applying under the Health and Care visa sub-route benefit from reduced application fees and are exempt from the IHS in some cases. However, they face additional registration requirements: nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), doctors with the General Medical Council (GMC), and social care workers in England must meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements for their specific role.

Medical license card and stethoscope on table

Education roles, particularly those involving work with children, require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent criminal record certificate from the applicant’s home country.

Immigration Salary List and shortage occupations

The Immigration Salary List identifies roles where a lower salary threshold applies. Applicants in listed roles may qualify at 80% of the going rate rather than the full rate. The list is reviewed and updated by the Home Office; check the current version on GOV.UK before relying on it, as roles are added and removed.

Key rule: The Immigration Salary List does not remove the requirement to meet the standard threshold entirely. The applicable minimum is still the higher of the reduced going rate (where the list applies) and the standard threshold. Applicants who assume a listed role automatically means a lower bar often miscalculate their salary eligibility.

ATAS requirement

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme applies to applicants whose role involves research or study in certain sensitive subject areas, primarily in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering at postgraduate level. If ATAS applies to your role, you must obtain the certificate before applying for your visa. The ATAS application is submitted online through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) portal, and processing typically takes several weeks. Do not leave this to the last minute.

Dependants and family members

Your partner and children under 18 can apply as your dependants. Each dependant must submit a separate application, pay their own application fee and IHS, and provide their own identity documents and evidence of the relationship. For detailed guidance on family documentation, the MNS Solicitors family visa documents guide covers the evidence requirements.

Hands arranging family visa application folder

Nationality-based considerations

Certain nationalities face additional scrutiny or specific documentary requirements under current Home Office rules. If your nationality is listed in the Home Office’s guidance as requiring additional checks, factor extra preparation time into your timeline.

Common reasons applications are refused and how to fix them

Caseworker guidance confirms that the Home Office applies a strict points and documentary regime. Small errors cause refusals, and there is very limited scope to correct them after submission.

The most frequent causes of refusal

Wrong SOC code: the code on the CoS does not match the applicant’s actual duties, or the code is not on the eligible occupations list
Salary below the going rate: the applicant meets the standard threshold but not the higher occupation-specific going rate
Pro-rata calculation errors: part-time salary is not correctly scaled against the pro-rated going rate
CoS errors: incorrect start date, missing PAYE reference, or a salary figure on the CoS that does not match the offer letter
Insufficient English evidence: the test certificate has expired, the test provider is not UKVI-approved, or the qualification submitted is not on the Home Office’s accepted list
Missing biometrics or unpaid fees: the application is automatically invalidated if biometrics are not completed or fees are not paid in full
Incorrect maintenance certification: the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS but the CoS contains errors that undermine the certification, leaving the applicant without personal funds evidence

Pre-submission checklist

Before you submit, verify each of the following:

CoS reference number, start date, salary, and SOC code are all correct and match your offer letter
Salary meets the higher of the standard threshold and the going rate for your SOC code, pro-rated correctly for your contracted hours
English evidence is from an approved provider, is within its validity period, and meets CEFR B2
TB test certificate is present if required, dated within six months, and from an approved clinic
Criminal record certificate is present if required, from every relevant country
ATAS certificate is present if required
Maintenance evidence is either certified on the CoS or supported by 28 days of bank statements
All fees and IHS have been paid in full

Pro Tip: Errors that cannot be cured after submission include a CoS that has already lapsed, a salary that falls below the going rate with no qualifying exception, and a missing ATAS certificate for a role that requires one. If any of these apply to your case, seek specialist legal advice before submitting, not after.

When should you consult a solicitor, and what will they check?

Some Skilled Worker applications are straightforward. Many are not. The cases where specialist legal review adds the most value are those involving:

A borderline or unusual SOC code match where duties and the published definition do not align neatly
Salary calculations that depend on new entrant status, PhD uplift, or Immigration Salary List provisions
Intra-route switches (changing employer or role while already on a Skilled Worker visa)
Criminal records or complex dependency arrangements
Urgent processing needs where a single error could cost weeks

What Mnssolicitors checks on every case

The role of a solicitor in Skilled Worker applications goes well beyond form-filling. At Mnssolicitors, a qualified solicitor reviews:

CoS verification: confirming the CoS reference, PAYE details, start date, and salary figure are consistent with the offer letter and Home Office records
SOC code mapping: cross-referencing the applicant’s actual duties against the published SOC 2020 definition to confirm the code is defensible
Salary pro-rata calculation: applying the correct going rate for the contracted hours and confirming which rate band applies
Documentary compliance: checking TB certificates, criminal record certificates, ATAS, and English evidence are in the correct format and within validity
Bespoke letter drafting: preparing employer letters and supporting statements that address the caseworker’s specific evidential requirements
Priority submission support: managing the application timeline to meet priority or super-priority deadlines where needed

Mnssolicitors operates on fixed fees with no hidden charges, so you know the cost before any work begins. The firm’s fast-track service can prepare a Skilled Worker visa application in as little as 24 hours for urgent cases.

Point	Details
SOC code verification	Confirms duties match the published SOC 2020 definition before submission
Salary going-rate check	Applies the higher-of rule and pro-rates correctly for contracted hours
Documentary compliance	Reviews TB, criminal record, ATAS, and English evidence for format and validity
Priority submission	Manages timeline and fees for priority or super-priority processing
Fixed-fee transparency	Full cost confirmed upfront; no surprises after engagement

Why specialist review matters more than most applicants realise

There is a widespread assumption that the Skilled Worker route is a checklist exercise: gather the documents, fill in the form, pay the fees. For a minority of applicants with a clean, straightforward case, that is broadly true. For the majority, it is not.

The salary going-rate rule alone catches a significant number of applicants who believe they have met the threshold. Many SOC codes carry going rates well above £41,700, and the Home Office does not alert applicants to the shortfall before refusing. The caseworker simply scores zero tradeable points on salary and issues a refusal. By that point, the application fee is gone, the CoS may have lapsed, and the applicant’s start date has passed.

The SOC code issue is equally underappreciated. Employers often assign a code based on a job title rather than a careful reading of the SOC definition. A “data analyst” role might sit under two or three different SOC codes depending on the actual duties, and only one of them may be eligible. A solicitor who reviews the duties description before the CoS is assigned can prevent a refusal that would otherwise be almost impossible to reverse.

What I find most telling is that the cases which reach solicitors after a refusal are almost always cases where a pre-submission review would have identified the problem in under an hour. The cost of getting it wrong, in fees, delays, and the stress of reapplying, far exceeds the cost of getting specialist advice before submitting.

How Mnssolicitors can support your Skilled Worker visa application

Mnssolicitors offers a fixed-fee, solicitor-led service for Skilled Worker visa applications, with every case handled by a qualified solicitor from the first enquiry. There are no trainees managing your file and no hidden charges added after you engage.

Mnssolicitors

For applicants with urgent timelines, the firm’s fast-track service can prepare a complete application in as little as 24 hours. With over 170 five-star Google reviews, Mnssolicitors has a track record of handling complex and time-sensitive immigration cases with care and precision. Whether your case involves a borderline SOC code, a going-rate salary calculation, an intra-route switch, or an ATAS requirement, the team has the expertise to prepare a compliant, well-evidenced application.

To discuss your case and get a clear, upfront fee, contact Mnssolicitors through the immigration services page or book a consultation directly. For urgent matters, the urgent visa service is available for same-day support.

Sources

Every rule, rate, and code referenced in this article is subject to change. Verify the current position on these GOV.UK pages before you apply:

This article provides general information about UK Skilled Worker visa requirements and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; confirm current requirements with GOV.UK or a qualified immigration solicitor before submitting any application.