Skilled Worker visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Work
What it is
Work in the UK for a Home Office-approved employer in an eligible skilled occupation. Replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa and is the main long-term work route.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 5 years per grant, extendable; settlement after 5 years
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 5 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Conditional
- English requirement
- B2
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (standard, up to 3 years)
- GBP 819
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Proof of funds (main applicant; held at least 28 days in a row, day 28…)
- GBP 1,270
- Application fee (standard, more than 3 years)
- GBP 1,618
- Application fee (standard, up to 3 years)
- GBP 943
- Application fee (standard, more than 3 years)
- GBP 1,865
- Application fee (immigration salary list, up to 3 years)
- GBP 628
- Application fee (immigration salary list, more than 3 years)
- GBP 1,235
Key requirements
- Job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor
- Certificate of sponsorship for an eligible occupation
- Meet the minimum salary threshold for the role
- Prove English language at B1 (CEFR) or higher
- Sufficient personal savings unless sponsor certifies maintenance
Working on this visa
Work in the sponsored job; up to 20 hours a week additional work in eligible jobs plus unlimited overtime; voluntary work allowed. Total stay capped at 4 years if using the new-entrant 70% salary discount.
Bringing family
Restricted for care workers/senior care workers and 'medium skilled' occupation codes: dependants generally only if continually employed since before 11 March 2024 (care) / 22 July 2025 (medium skilled), or child born in UK, sole living…
Money you must show
main applicant; held at least 28 days in a row, day 28…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.