UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK’s primary employer-sponsored work visa. Over 250,000 Skilled Worker visas were granted in the year ending September 2025. The £38,700 salary threshold (raised from £26,200 in April 2024) applies to most roles.
Salary Thresholds (2026)
| Category | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General threshold | £38,700/year | or 100% of the going rate for the SOC code, whichever is higher |
| New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, switching from student visa) | £30,960/year | 80% of the going rate |
| Health & Care Worker roles | From ~£23,200 | Varies by role and NHS pay band |
| Immigration Salary List (ISL) roles | £30,960/year | 80% of the going rate |
| PhD-level roles | £34,830/year | 90% of the going rate |
Eligibility Requirements
Fees & Costs Breakdown (2026)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application (up to 3 years, not on ISL) | £719 |
| Visa application (over 3 years, not on ISL) | £1,420 |
| Visa application (up to 3 years, on ISL) | £551 |
| Visa application (over 3 years, on ISL) | £1,084 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) -- adults per year | £1,035/year |
| IHS -- under 18 / students per year | £776/year |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | £525 (paid by employer) |
| ISC -- large employer, first 12 months | £1,320 |
| ISC -- large employer, each additional 6 months | £660 |
| ISC -- small/charitable sponsor, first 12 months | £480 |
| ISC -- small/charitable sponsor, each add’l 6 months | £240 |
| Sponsor licence (medium/large) | £1,579 |
| Sponsor licence (small/charitable) | £574 |
Health & Care Worker Visa -- Post-Ban Status
Temporary Shortage List (TSL) -- from 22 July 2025
Sponsor Licence Details (2026)
Every UK employer wishing to sponsor Skilled Worker visa holders must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office.
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) -- 32% Increase
From 16 December 2025, the ISC increased by 32%. This charge is paid by the employer for each sponsored worker and is determined by the CoS assignment date, not the visa application date.
| Duration | Amount |
|---|---|
| First 12 months (medium/large) | £1,320 |
| Each additional 6 months (medium/large) | £660 |
| 3-year visa total (medium/large) | £3,960 |
| 5-year visa total (medium/large) | £6,600 |
| First 12 months (small/charitable) | £480 |
| Each additional 6 months (small/charitable) | £240 |
| 3-year visa total (small/charitable) | £1,440 |
| 5-year visa total (small/charitable) | £2,400 |
English Language Raised to B2 (from 8 January 2026)
From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement for certain routes including the Scale-Up visa has been raised from B1 to B2 (CEFR). For the Skilled Worker visa, B1 remains the standard. Applicants should verify the specific requirement for their route, as further B2 extensions may follow.
Employers Can No Longer Recoup Visa Fees from Workers
From April 2025, UK employers are prohibited from passing immigration-related costs to sponsored workers. This includes the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee (£525), the Immigration Skills Charge, and sponsor licence costs. Employers who deduct or require workers to reimburse these fees face enforcement action and potential loss of their sponsor licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
The general minimum salary is £38,700 per year or 100% of the going rate for the specific SOC code, whichever is higher. New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or those switching from a student visa) qualify at £30,960 (80% of the going rate).
How much does a 5-year Skilled Worker visa cost in total?
For a large employer: visa fee £1,420 + IHS £5,175 (5 years × £1,035) + ISC £6,600 = approximately £13,195 total. For a small/charitable sponsor, the ISC is lower at £2,400, reducing the total.
Can I bring my family on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each dependant pays the visa application fee plus IHS. However, workers on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) route cannot bring dependants.
What happened to the Health & Care Worker visa for care workers?
New visa applications for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) have been banned. A transition period runs until 22 July 2028, during which existing holders may extend and people may switch from other visa routes. NHS and regulated healthcare roles remain eligible.
How long does it take to get a Skilled Worker visa?
Standard processing takes 3–8 weeks from outside the UK. Inside the UK, switching or extending typically takes 8 weeks. Priority and super-priority services are available for additional fees.
Does the Skilled Worker visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After 5 continuous years on the Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You must pass the Life in the UK test and meet English language requirements at B1 level.
How much did the ISC increase by?
The Immigration Skills Charge increased by 32% from 16 December 2025. For a medium/large employer sponsoring a 5-year visa, the total ISC is now £6,600 (up from £5,000). For small/charitable sponsors, the 5-year total is £2,400.
Can my employer make me pay the visa fees?
No. From April 2025, employers cannot recoup immigration costs from workers. This includes the CoS fee (£525), the ISC, and sponsor licence costs. Employers who violate this rule face enforcement action.
How long is a sponsor licence valid?
Sponsor licences now have indefinite validity. Previously they required renewal every 4 years. The licence fee is £574 for small/charitable sponsors and £1,579 for medium/large sponsors, with standard processing taking about 8 weeks.