Skilled Worker visa

Am I eligible for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

Written by Bill Zahr  |  Noble Rose Immigration Service  |  IAA Regulated Level 1  |  Last updated June 2026

Overview

The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for overseas nationals offered a skilled job in the UK by a licensed employer. Eligibility depends on employer sponsorship, the salary relative to the occupation going rate, skill level at RQF Level 6, and English language. This page sets out the core requirements under Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules.

Core eligibility requirements

Core eligibility requirements

✓

You have a job offer from a UK employer holding a Skilled Worker sponsor licence

The employer must be licensed by the Home Office, you cannot create your own sponsorship
✓

The role is at RQF Level 6 or above (graduate-level equivalent) from 22 July 2025

Before 22 July 2025 the threshold was RQF Level 3, the change significantly narrowed the eligible roles
✓

The salary meets the general threshold of £41,700 or the going rate for the SOC code, whichever is higher

From 22 July 2025, the going rate for your specific occupation code may exceed the general threshold and becomes the effective minimum
✓

You meet the English language requirement at B2 CEFR from 8 January 2026

B1 CEFR was required before 8 January 2026, all new Skilled Worker applicants from that date must demonstrate B2 across all four skills
✓

You satisfy the suitability requirements under Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules

No deception findings, no relevant criminal convictions, no outstanding NHS debt over £500, no immigration compliance breaches

You may be eligible if

You are not eligible if
✓

Your employer holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence

✓

The role is at RQF Level 6 or above

✓

The salary meets £41,700 or the SOC going rate, whichever is higher

✓

You can demonstrate English at B2 CEFR level

✓

You have a clean immigration and criminal history
✗

Your employer is not a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor

✗

The role is below RQF Level 6

✗

The salary does not meet the general threshold or the occupation going rate

✗

You cannot meet the B2 English language requirement

✗

You have a relevant criminal conviction or a deception finding on your immigration record

Key facts at a glance

Minimum salary

£41,700

or the SOC going rate if higher

Application fee

£827

up to 3 years entry clearance

Route to ILR

5 years

continuous sponsored employment

What you need to know

The salary dual-lock: what it means in practice

Meeting the general threshold of £41,700 is not sufficient on its own. You must also be paid at or above the going rate for the specific SOC 2020 occupation code assigned to your role. For many professional and technical occupations the going rate exceeds £41,700 and becomes the effective salary floor for the visa. The CoS must accurately reflect the correct SOC code misclassification to force a lower going rate is a serious compliance risk.

New entrant discount: who qualifies

Applicants under 26, those switching from a Student or Graduate visa, or those working toward a professional qualification may qualify for the New Entrant rate. The New Entrant general threshold is £33,400 and 70% of the going rate. New Entrant status is available for a maximum of 4 years including any time spent on the Graduate visa and cannot be used after the total 4-year window closes.

B2 English from 8 January 2026

All new Skilled Worker applicants from 8 January 2026 must demonstrate English at B2 CEFR, upper intermediate level across all four skills. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries and holders of qualifying degrees taught in English may be exempt from the test requirement. The approved SELT providers are Trinity College London and the IELTS SELT Consortium.

Health and Care Worker sub-route

Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and certain adult social care workers may qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, a sub-route of the Skilled Worker framework offering a reduced application fee and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The overseas care worker route for new applications closed on 22 July 2025. Care providers in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission to sponsor care workers.

Discuss Your Immigration Legal Strategy

Meet Our Team

Bill Zahr

Principal Lawyer & Managing Director

Bill Zahr (LLB Hons) leads Noble Rose Immigration Service with a methodical, "law-first" approach. Guided by the ethos ‘Navigare per Legem’, Bill combines rigorous legal expertise with genuine empathy to navigate complex UK immigration cases. Formerly of a top-tier UK firm, he ensures every client receives transparent, elite, and personalised care.

Renzel Carlos

Client Relations Manager & Immigration Paralegal

Renzel Carlos (LLB Hons, First Class) is the primary liaison at Noble Rose Immigration Service. Currently undertaking the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, she combines a meticulous legal foundation with deep frontline experience. Renzel is dedicated to guiding clients through the emotional complexities of immigration with high-level professionalism, precision, and compassionate care.