UK work visas: choose a route and check eligibility
A sponsored job, a qualifying health profession and an exceptional-talent application have different rules. Use the official route requirements before comparing costs or planning a move.
Compare the routes
| Route | Start with | Official requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Eligible sponsored job; generally £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher. Exceptions apply. | Job and salary rules |
| Health and Care Worker | Eligible health or care profession, employer and occupation-specific rules. | Eligible jobs and employers |
| Global Talent | Qualifying talent in an eligible field; check endorsement or eligible-prize requirements. | Official Global Talent guide |
Health and Care is not closed for all professions
The Health and Care Worker route remains available for eligible professions. Restrictions on new overseas recruitment into care-worker and senior-care-worker jobs must not be described as closing the whole route to doctors, nurses and other eligible health professionals. Check the exact occupation and any switching or transitional conditions on GOV.UK.
A practical route-selection checklist
- Identify the route that matches the work you will actually do. An occupation title alone may not identify the correct code.
- For sponsored routes, confirm the employer’s sponsor status and the details on the certificate of sponsorship.
- Check the relevant job eligibility and salary rules, including exceptions and previous immigration permission where relevant.
- Read the official document and application requirements for applying from outside the UK, switching or extending. These are different situations.
- Check the current fee, healthcare-surcharge position and dependant conditions for your own route before budgeting.
- Keep the source link and date with your checklist. Refer unresolved individual circumstances to an appropriately regulated adviser.
Costs, timing and settlement
Application costs depend on the route and application details. Use the official Skilled Worker cost guidance or the corresponding page for your chosen route. A salary threshold is not a visa fee. Processing estimates and possible settlement routes are subject to conditions; this guide does not promise an outcome or a fixed settlement date.
Continue your checks
Read the Skilled Worker checklist · US investor-route checklist · Compare country guides · Report a factual correction