Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker route allows employers to recruit individuals from outside the UK and Ireland to fill a wide range of skilled vacancies in the UK.

From January 2021, the job you’re offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level). You will also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by your sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher.

If you earn less than this, but no less than £20,480 - you may still be able to apply by ‘trading’ points on specific characteristics against your salary. For example, if you have a job offer in a shortage occupation or have a PhD relevant to the job.

Skilled worker visa (Gov.uk)

You must meet the following mandatory criteria in addition to passing the relevant UK criminality checks:

  • You must have an offer of a job from a licensed sponsor.
  • The job must be at or above the minimum skill level: RQF3 level or equivalent (A level or equivalent qualification). You will not need to hold a formal qualification. It is the skill level of the job you will be doing which is important.
  • You must speak English to an acceptable standard.

Meeting the mandatory criteria above will give you 50 points; they must obtain a further 20 “tradeable” points through a combination of points for salary, a job in a shortage occupation or a relevant PhD.

Skilled worker in-country applications

Skilled worker in-country extension applications

Skilled worker out-of-country applications

 

 

Last edited May 21, 2024