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Applicant's guide to applying for a Skilled Worker visa (accessible version)

Updated 25 February 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-employer-information/applicants-guide-to-applying-for-a-skilled-worker-visa-accessible-version

1. Check you need a UK visa

2. Check your Skilled Worker visa eligibility

Use this online tool to check your Skilled Worker visa eligibility.

  • To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer.

  • To find out if your job is eligible, ask your employer for your 4 digit occupation code. When you have your code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included.

  • You must prove you can speak, read, write and understand English to a specific level.

  • You’ll usually need to be paid at least £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is highest.

3. Apply

  • You must apply for your visa online within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

  • You’ll need to prove your identity and provide documents to show your eligibility. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

  • You’ll either go to an appointment at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ smartphone app. You’ll find this out when you start your application.

  • Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK and within 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.

4. Costs

  • When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:

    • 1. Pay the application fee -the standard fee ranges from £610 to £1,408 depending on your circumstances. You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

    • 2. Pay the healthcare surcharge -this is usually £624 per year

    • 3. Support yourself when you arrive in the UK -you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

  • Your partner and children can also apply and will also need to pay costs.

  • You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

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