Skilled Worker Visa UK 2026: Salary Thresholds, Rules and How to Apply

The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for overseas workers who want to build a career in the UK, but the rules have changed significantly in the last year and it is easy to be working from outdated information. If you are planning to apply, or you are an employer trying to sponsor talent, you need to know the current salary thresholds, the new skill level requirement, and how to check whether a job genuinely offers sponsorship. This guide breaks it all down clearly so you can judge your eligibility before you spend time and money on an application.

The Skilled Worker visa lets you work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible role for up to five years, with a path to settlement. As of 2026 you generally need to be paid at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher, and the role must usually sit at degree level (RQF level 6). Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence.

What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa replaced the old Tier 2 (General) route and is the UK’s primary work visa. It allows a person from outside the UK and Ireland to take an eligible job with an employer who holds a sponsor licence.

The visa can be granted for up to five years before you need to extend it, and after five years of continuous qualifying residence you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, also known as settlement. You can usually bring dependants, although recent rule changes have tightened who qualifies.

For a wider view of how sponsorship works in practice, our anchor guide to UK visa sponsorship jobs in 2026 explains how to spot genuine sponsoring employers and where to search.

Salary Thresholds in 2026

Salary is where most applications succeed or fail, and the figures have moved upwards. From 22 July 2025 the general salary threshold increased to £41,700 a year, replacing the previous £38,700. You must be paid the higher of this general threshold or the published going rate for your occupation code.

The going rate is set per job using its Standard Occupational Classification code. For higher-paid professions the going rate may exceed £41,700, so always check the specific rate for your role. Discounted thresholds exist for new entrants at the start of their career, recent graduates, and certain shortage routes, but these floors have also risen. Because the exact figures vary by route and change periodically, confirm the current number for your occupation on GOV.UK before applying.

It is worth remembering that the salary also needs to clear UK tax. To see what a threshold-level salary looks like after deductions, our breakdown of £45k after tax gives a realistic picture of monthly take-home pay near this band.

The RQF Level 6 Skill Requirement

One of the biggest changes is the skill level. From 22 July 2025 the minimum skill level for the Skilled Worker visa returned to RQF level 6, which is broadly equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Previously the route accepted roles at RQF level 3, around A-level standard.

This change removed around 180 medium-skilled occupations from eligibility. A few important points help make sense of it:

• The requirement applies to the job, not the person. If the role is genuinely degree-level, it can qualify.
• You do not always need a formal degree yourself. Relevant experience may be accepted where the employer allows.
• Some lower-skilled roles remain temporarily eligible through a shortage list, but applications relying on these must be made by 31 December 2026.

The government has also increased the immigration skills charge that employers pay, by around 32%, to fund domestic training. This makes sponsorship more expensive for employers, which can affect who is willing to sponsor.

Finding a Licensed Sponsor

You cannot apply for a Skilled Worker visa without a job offer from an employer who holds a sponsor licence. The single most useful tool here is the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors, a publicly searchable list of every organisation approved to sponsor workers.

To use it effectively:

1. Search the register for employers in your sector and target locations.
2. Check that the employer is listed for the Skilled Worker route specifically.
3. Apply for genuinely advertised roles that mention sponsorship, rather than assuming any listed employer will sponsor.
4. Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay them to arrange sponsorship, which is a common scam.

The NHS is the UK’s single largest sponsor, particularly for healthcare roles. If that is your field, our guide to NHS jobs with visa sponsorship shows you exactly where to look and which roles are in demand.

Eligibility Checklist

Before applying, run through this checklist to confirm you meet the core requirements:

1. You have a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor.
2. The role is at RQF level 6 or on an approved temporary shortage list.
3. Your salary meets the higher of £41,700 or the going rate for the job.
4. You have a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
5. You can prove your knowledge of English to the required level.
6. You have enough personal savings to support yourself, unless your employer certifies maintenance.

If you are moving into a technology role, building recognised skills strengthens both your application and your earning power. Coffee & Study’s guide to returning to tech is a helpful resource for planning the qualifications that employers value most.

Costs and How to Apply

Applying involves several fees, so budget carefully. You will usually pay an application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of your visa, and you must show you can support yourself. Employers separately pay the sponsor licence fee and the immigration skills charge.

The broad application steps are:

1. Secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
2. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
3. Complete the online application and pay the fees and health surcharge.
4. Prove your identity and provide your documents.
5. Wait for a decision, which is often within three weeks for applications made outside the UK.

For careers in technology, where sponsorship is common, our guide to IT jobs, skills, and salaries in the UK shows which roles are most in demand and what they pay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Relying on the old £38,700 figure

The general threshold rose to £41,700 in July 2025. Applying on the assumption that £38,700 still applies can lead to a refusal. Always check the current figure for your route.

Ignoring the going rate

Meeting the general threshold is not enough if your job’s going rate is higher. For many professional roles, the going rate is the figure that actually decides your eligibility.

Assuming any employer can sponsor

Only organisations on the Home Office register can sponsor you, and only for the routes they are licensed for. Check the register before pinning hopes on a particular employer.

Paying for fake sponsorship

Genuine employers do not charge you for a job or sponsorship. Anyone demanding payment to arrange a Certificate of Sponsorship is almost certainly running a scam. Walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa in 2026?

The general minimum salary is £41,700 a year, which rose from £38,700 on 22 July 2025. However, you must be paid the higher of this figure or the going rate for your specific occupation. Some discounted routes for new entrants and certain health and education roles have lower floors, so check GOV.UK for your exact figure.

Do I need a degree for the Skilled Worker visa?

The job must be at RQF level 6, roughly degree level, but you do not always need a degree yourself. The requirement applies to the role, and relevant experience may be accepted where the employer permits. A small number of roles remain eligible through a temporary shortage list until the end of 2026.

How do I find an employer who will sponsor me?

Use the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors, a free public list of every approved sponsor. Search for employers in your sector, confirm they are licensed for the Skilled Worker route, and apply to roles that clearly mention sponsorship. Never pay anyone to arrange sponsorship for you.

How long does a Skilled Worker visa last?

The visa can be granted for up to five years before you need to extend it. After five years of continuous qualifying residence in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which is settlement. The exact period depends on your circumstances and the visa you are granted.

Can I bring my family on a Skilled Worker visa?

In many cases you can bring dependants, such as a partner and children, although recent rule changes have tightened eligibility for some routes. Each dependant pays their own application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the current dependant rules on GOV.UK before you apply.

Ready to explore UK roles that offer sponsorship? Browse current vacancies on our jobs board and read our wider UK visa sponsorship guide to plan your move with confidence.