Skilled Worker Visa and Right to Work in the UK Explained

For international job seekers, understanding right to work requirements is essential before applying for jobs in the UK. Most non-UK nationals need permission to work legally, and the Skilled Worker visa is the most common route for sponsored employment.

The UK immigration system is strict. Employers face significant penalties for hiring workers without the correct permission, which means they carefully verify right to work before making job offers.

This guide explains the Skilled Worker visa, how right-to-work verification works in the UK, what employers look for, and how international applicants can navigate the system successfully.

For the complete UK job search context, read UK Jobs and Careers: The Complete Guide for Job Seekers (2026 Edition).

What Is Right to Work in the UK?

Legal Requirement for All Employees

Right to work means you have legal permission to be employed in the UK. This applies to everyone, including UK citizens, settled residents, and visa holders.

Before starting any job, UK employers must:

Check your right to work documents
Keep copies of those documents
Verify that your permission covers the type of work you will do

Failing to do this can result in fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Who Needs a Visa to Work in the UK?

You need a visa if you are:

A non UK national without settled or pre settled status
Not an Irish citizen
Not covered by another immigration category that grants work rights

British citizens, Irish citizens, and those with indefinite leave to remain do not need visas.

Related reading: How to Find a Job in the UK Quickly

What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?

Overview

The Skilled Worker visa allows non-UK nationals to work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible role.

It replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa in December 2020 and is now the main route for skilled employment.

Key Features

Valid for up to five years, with the option to extend
Allows you to bring dependants
Can lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after five years
Tied to a specific employer and role

You cannot work for any employer. You must work for the sponsor listed on your visa in the role specified.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

Have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence
Be offered a role that meets the skill and salary requirements
Meet English language requirements
Have enough money to support yourself

The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship before you can apply.

Employer Sponsorship Requirements

Not All UK Employers Can Sponsor Visas

Only employers with a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office can hire Skilled Workers.

Obtaining a licence involves:

Meeting Home Office compliance standards
Paying fees
Committing to ongoing reporting duties

Many small businesses and startups do not hold licences because of the cost and administrative burden.

How to Identify Employers Who Sponsor

When job searching, look for:

Job adverts that explicitly state visa sponsorship is available
Employers on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors
Larger organisations, which are more likely to hold licences

Do not assume sponsorship is available unless stated.

Eligible Occupations and Skill Levels

Skill Level Requirement

The role must be at RQF Level 3 or above. This roughly corresponds to A level standard or equivalent.

Most professional, technical, and managerial roles meet this threshold.

Eligible Occupation Codes

The Home Office maintains a list of eligible occupation codes. Your job must match one of these codes.

Common eligible roles include:

Software developers
Engineers
Healthcare professionals
Teachers
Marketing and sales professionals
Accountants and finance professionals

Manual, low-skilled, or unregulated roles are generally not eligible.

Your employer determines the correct occupation code based on your job duties.

Salary Thresholds for Skilled Worker Visas

General Salary Requirement

As of 2026, the general minimum salary threshold is £38,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher.

The going rate varies by occupation and is set by the Home Office.

Lower Salary Thresholds

Some applicants may qualify with a lower salary if they meet specific criteria, such as:

New entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or in certain training roles)
Shortage occupations
PhD-level roles relevant to the job

These exceptions allow salaries as low as £30,960 in some cases.

Part-Time Work

If the role is part-time, the salary is pro-rated, but the full-time equivalent must still meet the threshold.

Related reading: How to Negotiate Salary in the UK

English Language Requirement

Proving English Proficiency

You must prove your English language ability unless you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Acceptable evidence includes:

A degree taught in English
Passing an approved English language test at B1 level or above
Holding a previous UK visa that required English proficiency

The test must be from an approved provider, such as IELTS or PTE Academic.

Exemptions

You do not need to prove English if you are a national of:

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA
Ireland, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago
Other majority English-speaking countries listed by the Home Office

The Certificate of Sponsorship

What It Is

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a digital document issued by your employer. It contains details about your job, salary, and sponsor.

You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa without a valid CoS.

How It Works

Once your employer decides to hire you, they:

Assign you a CoS through the Home Office system
Provide you with the CoS reference number
Confirm the job details and start date

The CoS is tied to a specific role and employer. If you change jobs, you need a new CoS.

CoS Validity

A CoS is usually valid for three months. You must apply for your visa within this period.

How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa

Application Process

You apply online through the UK government website.

Steps include:

Complete the online application form
Pay the visa fee and immigration health surcharge
Book and attend a biometric appointment
Submit supporting documents
Wait for a decision

Processing times vary but typically take three weeks if applying from outside the UK.

Required Documents

You will need:

Valid passport
CoS reference number
Proof of English language ability
Proof of funds (usually £1,270 held for 28 days)
Tuberculosis test results if applicable

Your employer may provide additional supporting documents.

Visa Fees

Fees vary depending on:

Length of visa
Whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK
Your occupation

As of 2026, fees range from approximately £719 to £1,500.

Immigration Health Surcharge

You must also pay the immigration health surcharge, which gives you access to the NHS.

The surcharge is £1,035 per year for most applicants.

For a five-year visa, this adds over £5,000 to the total cost.

Switching Jobs on a Skilled Worker Visa

Changing Employers

If you want to change employers, you must:

Receive a new job offer from a licensed sponsor
Obtain a new CoS
Apply to update your visa

You cannot start the new job until your visa is updated.

Changing Roles With the Same Employer

If your job changes significantly (for example, a promotion or different duties), your employer may need to update your CoS and you may need to apply to update your visa.

Minor changes usually do not require updates.

Related reading: How to Find a Job in the UK Quickly

Path to Settlement

Indefinite Leave to Remain

After five years on a Skilled Worker visa, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as settlement.

Requirements include:

Continuous residence in the UK
Meeting the salary threshold at the time of application
Passing the Life in the UK test
Meeting English language requirements

Once you have ILR, you no longer need a visa to work in the UK.

Time Towards Settlement

Time spent on other UK visas, such as the Tier 2 visa or Student visa, may count towards your five years.

Right to Work Checks for Employers

What Employers Must Check

Before you start work, your employer must verify your right to work.

For visa holders, this involves:

Checking your visa status online using a share code
Confirming your visa allows the type of work you will do
Keeping records of the check

You generate a share code through the UK government website and provide it to your employer.

Ongoing Checks

Employers must repeat right to work checks before your visa expires if you remain employed.

This ensures your permission to work remains valid.

Related reading: What a UK CV Should Look Like in 2026

Graduate Route Visa

Alternative for International Students

The Graduate Route visa allows international students who complete eligible UK degrees to work in the UK for two years (three years for PhD graduates) without sponsorship.

This visa:

Does not require a job offer
Allows you to work in any role at any skill level
Cannot be extended

Many international graduates use this route to gain UK work experience before transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa.

Eligibility

You must:

Have completed an eligible UK degree
Have held a valid Student visa
Apply before your Student visa expires

The Graduate Route is not a path to settlement on its own, but time spent on it does not count towards ILR.

Common Skilled Worker Visa Challenges

Finding Employers Who Sponsor

Many UK employers do not sponsor visas, especially smaller companies. This limits job opportunities for international applicants.

Focus your search on:

Larger organisations
Sectors with skills shortages
Employers who explicitly mention sponsorship

Meeting Salary Thresholds

The salary threshold can be challenging, particularly for early career professionals or those in lower paid sectors.

Research typical salaries for your role before applying.

Visa Costs

The combined cost of visa fees, the health surcharge, and English language tests can exceed £6,000 for a five year visa.

Budget carefully and confirm whether your employer contributes to these costs.

Processing Times

Visa processing can take several weeks. Plan your job search timeline accordingly.

Other Work Visa Routes

Health and Care Worker Visa

A specific route for healthcare professionals, with lower fees and faster processing.

Global Talent Visa

For individuals with exceptional talent or promise in science, humanities, engineering, arts, or digital technology.

Does not require a job offer or sponsorship.

Intra Company Transfer Visa

For employees of multinational companies transferring to a UK branch.

Temporary Worker Visas

Short term visas for specific purposes, such as charity work, creative roles, or religious work.

Each route has different requirements and restrictions.

Proving Right to Work as a UK National

UK Citizens

UK citizens prove right to work using:

A UK passport
A birth or adoption certificate with a National Insurance number

Settled and Pre Settled Status

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with settled or pre settled status prove their right to work using a share code from the UK government website.

Physical documents are no longer accepted for most EU nationals.

What Happens If You Work Illegally?

Consequences for Workers

Working without the correct permission can result in:

Deportation
A ban from returning to the UK
Criminal prosecution in serious cases

Consequences for Employers

Employers who hire illegal workers face:

Fines up to £60,000 per worker
Criminal prosecution
Loss of sponsor licence

Both parties have strong incentives to ensure compliance.

Quick Checklist: Skilled Worker Visa Essentials

Before applying for UK jobs as an international applicant, confirm:

The employer holds a sponsor licence
The role meets skill and salary thresholds
You meet English language requirements
You can afford visa and health surcharge fees
You understand the application timeline

This preparation prevents wasted effort on unsuitable roles.

How This Article Fits Into Your UK Job Search

Understanding right to work and visa requirements is essential for international job seekers. This guide works best when combined with:

Together, these resources form a complete system for navigating the UK job market as an international applicant.

Final Thoughts

The UK immigration system is complex, but understanding the Skilled Worker visa and right to work requirements is essential for international job seekers.

Most challenges arise from misunderstanding eligibility, targeting employers who do not sponsor, or underestimating costs and timelines.

By focusing on eligible roles, researching employers carefully, and preparing thoroughly, international applicants can successfully navigate the UK job market and build rewarding careers.

For the most current information, always check the official UK government website, as immigration rules and fees change regularly.