Why apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The UK has been the top choice for professionals willing to build their careers abroad. The robust job market, diverse job opportunities, rich culture, and high quality of Life attract skilled workers from various corners of the world to migrate and work in the UK. Foreign skilled workers with professional work experience can migrate to the UK via the UK Skilled Worker Visa.

The following are the significant benefits that come with the UK Skilled Worker Visa:

• Stay and work in the UK for up to 5 years
• Bring your family to live with you
• Spouse can also start working in the UK
• Enjoy the National Health Services for free
• Grow your Career with diverse job opportunities
• Earn up to £47,000 per year
• No cap on the number of people who can migrate to the UK
• Study while working in the UK
• Potential pathway toward permanent residence

Skilled Workers in the UK

The UK considers skilled workers to possess relevant skills and qualifications to work in an eligible occupation as defined by the UK government and have a job offer from a licensed UK employer. You would be considered a skilled worker if you have skills equivalent to RQF level 3 or higher or equivalent to UK A-level.

Skilled jobs in the UK are listed in the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) with specific skill level requirements. These occupations span various sectors, including Healthcare, Engineering, Information Technology, Finance, and Education. These workers usually qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Visa.

UK Job Market

Data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that around 672,000 immigrants will be welcomed in the UK in 2024, of which 43% will be international students. Skilled workers follow, making up around 37% of immigrants in the UK. Thus, the UK job market is highly dominated by international students and foreign skilled workers. 

The table below lists the top ten in-demand jobs in the UK:

Occupations	Average Salaries per year
Engineering	£43,511
IT	£35,000
Marketing & Sales	£35,000
HR	£32,842
Healthcare	£27,993
Teachers	£35,100
Accountants	£33,713
Hospitality	£28,008
Nursing	£39,371

The UK reported 908,000 job vacancies, demanding excellent opportunities for students and skilled foreign workers. There is a high demand for IT services, banking, engineering, healthcare, and social media job roles. The average annual salary in the UK ranges between £35,000 and £67,000. These factors make the UK a favorable place for foreign skilled workers.

Who can apply for the UK Skilled worker visa?

You can apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa if:

• You have a valid job offer in the UK
• Your job offer must be listed under the Skilled Occupations list
• Your minimum salary in the UK must be above £38,700 per year
• Your employer sponsors your visa application
• You meet the language requirements
• You have completed your bachelor’s degree or equivalent education
• You have a minimum work experience of 2 years
• You meet other requirements specific to your job role

UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

The following are the documents required to apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa:

• A valid passport
• Documents to prove your identity and nationality
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Employment offer details
• Details about the employer
• Sponsor license number
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Police clearance documents
• Character certificate from relevant authorities
• Occupation code for your job role
• Job title and annual salary details
• Work experience details
• Visa payment receipts

The UK Government has recently increased the minimum salary threshold for a UK Skilled Worker Visa from £26,000 to £38,700.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the UK Skilled Worker Visa is detailed in the table below:

Type of application	Processing Time
Visa applications made outside the UK	3 weeks
Visa applications made inside the UK	8 weeks

UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees

The table below lists the updated visa fees for UK Skilled Worker Visa applications made outside the UK:

Type of Application	Visa Fees	Visa Fees effective from April 09, 2025
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less  – main applicant and dependants	£719	£769
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years  – main applicant and dependants	£1,420	£1,519
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less  - main applicant and dependants	£551	£590
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years - main applicant and dependants	£1,084	£1,160
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued	£284	£304
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List	£284	£304

The table below lists the updated visa fees for UK Skilled Worker Visa applications made inside the UK:

Type of application	Visa Fees	Visa Fees effective from April 09, 2025
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less - main applicant and dependants	£827	£885
Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years  - main applicant and dependants	£1,636	£1,751
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less - main applicant and dependants	£551	£590
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years  - main applicant and dependants	£1,084	£1,160
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less– main applicant and dependants	£284	£304
Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years  – main applicant and dependants	£551	£590
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List- Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 3 years or less  - main applicant and dependants	£284	£304
Skilled Worker - a job on the Immigration Salary List - Health and Care Visa - where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 3 years - main applicant and dependants	£551	£590

UK Skilled Worker Visa to ILR

The UK ranks at the 23rd position among the countries in the Global Happiness Index which makes the UK one of the best places to settle in. UK Skilled Worker Visa holders can settle in the UK with an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). As the name suggests, the ILR allows you to stay and work in the UK for an indefinite time, along with offering you a lot of other benefits.

The major benefits of UK ILR include:

• Work, study, and live in the UK permanently
• Access public services and benefits
• Travel freely without visa restrictions
• Enjoy free healthcare services under the NHS
• Access to public funds and social welfare benefits
• Bring your family members to the UK
• Family members can work and study in the UK without restrictions
• Potential pathway towards British citizenship

How to switch to UK ILR from a Skilled Worker Visa?

As a UK Skilled Worker Visa holder, you can apply for a UK ILR after meeting the following requirements:

• You must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years
• You earn a minimum of £40,000 per year
• You have a valid job in the UK and are working on a UK Skilled Worker visa
• You have cleared the Life in the UK test

How to apply for the UK ILR?

The steps to apply for the UK ILR are mentioned below:

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Step 2: Fill out the application form

Step 3: Submit the documents required

Step 4: Complete the fee payment

Step 5: Wait for a decision

The application for UK ILR can be made 28 days prior to completing 5 years in the UK. You can include your spouse and dependents in you ILR application form if they have been living in the UK on a dependent visa.

UK ILR Processing time and fees

A UK ILR application is usually processed within six months. However, the UK offers priority processing and super priority processing options for eligible candidates. Applications under priority processing requests are processed within 5 days and applications under the super priority processing requests are usually processed within 24 hours.

The fees required to apply for the UK ILR is detailed in the table below:

Type of Fee	Amount to be paid (in Pounds)
Application fee	£2,885 (for each applicant)
Biometric fee	£19.20
Priority processing fee	£500
Super priority processing fee	£1000

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis is the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada. Our team of visa experts is here to provide you with step-by-step assistance with German immigration and help you make an informed decision. Our impeccable services include:

• Y-Axis Coaching Services to help you ace language proficiency tests
• Free Career counseling to help you choose the best career path
• Y-Axis Job Search Services to find relevant jobs in the UK
• Y-Axis Resume Writing Services to help you keep your resume up-to-date
• Personalized assistance with UK Immigration