UK Visa Guide · 2026
How does the UK Skilled Worker Visa work in 2026?
Who it's for
Non-UK nationals (excluding Irish citizens and those with settled/pre-settled status) who have received a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. Available for graduate-level roles across most sectors. Particularly common in tech, finance, healthcare, engineering, academia, and consulting.
Eligibility requirements
1) Job offer from Home Office licensed sponsor (employer must hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence). 2) Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by sponsor. 3) Role at RQF Level 6 (graduate-level — most professional and managerial roles qualify). 4) Salary at higher of (a) general threshold £38,700 (some discounts for new entrants, healthcare, education); (b) going rate for the specific occupation code (SOC 2020). 5) English language B1 (CEFR) — passed approved test, English degree, or majority English-speaking nationality. 6) Maintenance funds £1,270 (waived if sponsor certifies). 7) Tuberculosis test if from listed countries. 8) Criminal record certificate for some roles.
Application process
1) Receive job offer + CoS from sponsor. 2) Apply online at gov.uk within 3 months of CoS issue. 3) Pay visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year). 4) Provide biometrics at UK visa application centre. 5) Wait for decision (priority service available — 5 working days extra cost). 6) Decision typically 3 weeks (overseas) or 8 weeks (in-UK switching). 7) On approval, receive visa vignette + 90-day entry vignette. 8) Collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of UK arrival, OR access eVisa via UKVI online services.
Costs and timings
Application fee: £719 to £1,500+ depending on length and whether shortage occupation. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035/year (so 5-year visa = £5,175). Sponsor pays: Sponsor Licence Fee (£574-£1,476), Skills Charge (£364-£1,000/year of CoS), CoS Fee (£239). Priority service: +£500. Decision time: standard 3 weeks (overseas), priority 5 working days. Total cost for 5-year visa: roughly £6,000-£8,000 covering applicant fees + IHS, plus sponsor's costs.
Common reasons for refusal
1) Sponsor hasn't allocated CoS correctly. 2) Salary below threshold (general or going-rate). 3) Role not at RQF Level 6. 4) English language test issues. 5) Insufficient maintenance funds. 6) Failure to disclose previous immigration breaches or criminality. 7) Discrepancies between application and supporting documents. 8) Sponsor licence revoked or downgraded between CoS issue and decision.
Worked example
Pieter, a software engineer from the Netherlands (post-Brexit so EU citizen), got a job offer from a London tech company at £85,000. The company held a Skilled Worker sponsor licence and issued a CoS. Pieter applied online, paid £1,420 in fees + £5,175 IHS, attended biometrics in Amsterdam, and received a 5-year visa in 18 days. His sponsor paid the additional Skills Charge (£5,000 over 5 years) directly. Total Pieter paid: £6,595. Total his employer paid: ~£6,000.
Recruiter pro tip
The going-rate floors (per occupation code) are often higher than the £38,700 general threshold and are frequently missed by candidates. Look up your specific SOC 2020 occupation code on gov.uk to confirm the salary requirement for YOUR role — not just the headline figure. Also: April 2026 may bring further threshold increases. Always check the current rates on gov.uk before assuming a previous threshold applies.
Important: UK immigration rules and salary thresholds change frequently. Always verify current rates and rules at gov.uk before applying. For complex cases, consult a qualified UK immigration solicitor (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or OISC). This guide is for general information only, not legal advice.
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