- Points Based
- Most people below the age of 51 years old, with an occupation (listed on each country’s list), 2+ years of work experience & good English / French are eligible for this
- It is the most popular way of settling overseas
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Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa to live and work in the UK. Learn about eligibility, salary rules, fees, in-demand jobs, and pathways to PR and citizenship.
Last Updated: April 03, 2026
Why Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
A UK Skilled Worker Visa offers access to the UK economy which is among the most powerful and job diverse in the world. Professionals who meet the requirements can reside and work in the UK through employer sponsorship which leads to permanent residency alongside the possibility of obtaining citizenship.
- Over 1.2 million job vacancies across the UK in 2025
- Visa valid for up to 5 years, renewable or leading to settlement
- Minimum salary starts at £26,200/year or £10.75/hour
- Access to NHS healthcare, pension schemes & public benefits
- Eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
*Looking to work in the UK? Let Y-Axis help you with the process.
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker Visa enables foreign professionals to work in the UK through a designated employer. The visa serves individuals who have formal qualifications together with relevant work experience inside sectors which experience workforce deficits. You will require sponsorship from an authorized UK employer while your work must meet established salary standards. The visa provides a 5-year duration and allows you to include your family members as dependents. The UK replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa with this visa which is now among the most sought-after immigration pathways for skilled employees.
Benefits of Working in the UK
- Work in a world-class economy with competitive salaries
- Access to free public healthcare through the NHS
- Eligibility for permanent residency after 5 years
- Dependents can work or study without restrictions
- Live in vibrant cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh with global career exposure
UK Immigration Points-based Assessment System
The UK immigration system evaluates Skilled Worker Visa applications through a points-based framework. You must obtain 70 points to successfully complete your application.
The point distribution system operates in the following way:
- 20 points for a job offer from a licensed sponsor (mandatory)
- 20 points for a job which matches the demanded skill level
- 10 points for the applicant's English language skills
- 10 points for salaries between £26,200–£29,999
- 20 points for salaries beyond £30,000
The system awards between 10 and 20 points based on the applicant's qualifications in a shortage occupation or their possession of a relevant PhD. Meeting the required 70 points is necessary for obtaining approval.
*Want to check your eligibility for the UK? Avail the FREE Y-Axis UK Immigration points calculator and get an instant score!
Eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for this visa you must satisfy the following requirements:
- The minimum age for applicants is 18 years
- Applicants need to have a valid job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor
- The occupation the applicant will be working on must appear on the eligible occupation list
- The salary the applicant receives must equal or exceed £26,200 per year
- The applicant must demonstrate their language proficiency at CEFR level B1
- Applicants need to prove they have enough financial support either through personal funds or through their employer's sponsorship
*Want to migrate to the UK? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis to assist you with the procedure.
Requirements for UK Skilled Worker Visa
- A valid passport is required
- You will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer
- The job you are applying for must match the required skill level and salary
- Applicants must show they have PASSED either IELTS UKVI or any equivalent test
- Applicants must prove they have financial resources of at least £1,270 or provide evidence of sponsorship by their employer
- Applicants from certain countries need to complete a tuberculosis test
- Your employer must be registered as a UK licensed sponsor.
Documents Required to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa
- Your passport needs to have six months of remaining validity
- You must provide the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
- Applicants must demonstrate their English language skills by providing IELTS UKVI or any approved test results
- Applicants need to submit either three months of bank statements or an employer sponsorship letter for maintenance funds
- Applicants need to provide a police clearance certificate if it is necessary
- Applicants from certain countries need to complete a tuberculosis test if it is necessary
- Applicants must submit academic or professional qualifications that are required for the role
- All documents should be presented in English or certified translations should be provided by authorized translators.
Jobs listed in the UK Immigration Salary List
The UK Immigration Salary List presents certain job categories for visa sponsorship that require lower income thresholds. Established in 2024, this list replaced the Shortage Occupation List to maintain important roles needed for UK economic development. Employers can offer jobs from this list at 80% of the usual pay rate while maintaining a minimum annual salary of £23,200. The main sectors affected by this list are health care, engineering, constructio,n and education.
| Occupation code | Job types included on the immigration salary list | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only fishing boat masters. | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £27,000 (£13.85 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | UK wide | £41,900 (£21.49 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £35,800 (£18.36 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – skilled classical or contemporary dancers endorsed by a UK industry body. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians – skilled orchestral musicians meeting international standards. | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades – only fishing industry jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high-integrity pipe welders with 3+ years’ experience | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | Scotland only | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades – only retrofitters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs (subject to CQC conditions) | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs (subject to CQC conditions) | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services – only racing and stud-related roles | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and agriculture occupations – only deckhands on large fishing vessels |
Top in-demand occupations in the UK
The UK actively seeks professionals from various industries with over 761,000+ job vacancies.
The table below has the list of top 10 in-demand jobs in the UK along with the average annual salaries:
| 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 |
UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees
The fees for the UK skilled worker visa change according to the type of occupation, duration and the location of the visa application.
| Visa Category | Fee Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Application fees for stay up to 3 years | £719 |
| Application fees for stay more than 3 years | £1,420 |
| Application fees if your job is on the Immigration Salary List (stay up to 3 years) | £551 |
How Can Y-Axis Assist You?
Testimonials and feedback from several individuals prove that Y-Axis has helped them achieve their career ambitions overseas. Our services include:
- Resume Writing Services: Ensuring your resume fulfils international standards and exhibits your strengths.
- LinkedIn Marketing: Improve your chances of being seen online by companies and recruiters with our LinkedIn marketing services.
- Resume Marketing: Be discovered by organizations in your preferred country’s job market through our Resume Marketing services.
With Y-Axis, discover opportunities best suited for you and avail of the services and experience to improve your chances of success. Contact Y-Axis today to start your journey of working abroad.
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