Disclaimer: This blog provides general immigration information, not legal advice. Laws and policies change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. Always do your own research and consider speaking with an accredited immigration lawyer before making any decisions. I am not affiliated with any government agency and am not responsible for outcomes based on this information. Official guidance on immigrating can be found on the UK Home Office website.
I was on a Skilled Worker visa as a primary teacher from 2020-2025. When I first applied in February 2020, I was on a Student visa, and the eligibility requirements for switching from a Student visa to a Work visa made the process slightly easier (lower salary threshold requirement, no resident labour market test required). The resident labour market test was abolished later that year, which is good news for those looking to get a Skilled Worker visa!
Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility Requirements:
- You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office as an eligible sponsor.
- Do a job on the list of eligible occupations.
- Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (CoS) from your employer.
- You must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
- For most, the job must pay the higher of either 1) at least £38,700 per year or 2) whatever the ‘going rate’ is for that job.
- Note: there are different salary requirements if you work in healthcare/education, if you are under 26 years old or a recent graduate, if you have a PHD (particularly in STEM subjects), or if your job is on the Immigration Salary List because there is higher demand for it.
A Skilled Worker visa will last for up to 5 years, at which point you can apply to extend it (if you are still eligible), or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent settled status).
Application Process:
- Application cost: between £551 and £1,420 depending on type of job/length of visa/if you have dependents (children or a partner you are bringing with you).
- Immigration Health Surcharge: currently £1,035 per year (if you have dependents, they will have to pay as well).
- You’ll have to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK (usually at least £1,270).
- If applying OUTSIDE the UK, you’ll have to attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photo taken, and your documents looked at AND/OR you’ll use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your passport and create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
- If you are switching to this visa (from a Student visa, for example) INSIDE the UK, you’ll have to attend a biometrics appoint at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) location AND/OR you’ll use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your passport and create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
- If you apply OUTSIDE the UK, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks (though you can likely pay an additional 500 to find out in 5 business days).
- If you apply INSIDE the UK, you’ll get a decision within 8 weeks (though you can also pay to speed up that decision).
With a Skilled Worker visa, you can:
- work in an eligible job
- study
- bring your child(ren) and partner as ‘dependents’
- volunteer
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to permanently settle in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years if you meet all eligibility criteria
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits
- change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa (and pay for the process again)
Right! It’s a complicated process, but it is doable. If you do work that is in high demand in the UK (check the Immigration Salary List), you’ll have a stronger chance at securing an eligible job that may sponsor you.
Please note that most employers will not be paying for your Skilled Worker visa. Employers already have to pay a fee to be on the list of eligible sponsors, so not many employers will also volunteer to pay all the costs of a Skilled Worker visa application.
So, if you are offered a job and a certificate of sponsorship (CoS), that is fantastic! But you will then have to cover all the costs of the visa application process. Some employers offer funds for moving assistance, but I also wouldn’t count on that.
You also will not be able to easily leave the job you are hired for until 5 years have passed and you have also applied for and successfully gotten Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I had a Skilled Worker visa as a primary teacher for 5 years before getting ILR – so if you have questions, let me know. 😊
