11 May

Understanding the Skilled Worker Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is one of the most popular routes for overseas professionals looking to work legally in the United Kingdom. Whether you’re a healthcare worker, engineer, IT professional or chef, this visa allows you to live and work in the UK with the possibility of settlement.

In this step-by-step guide, Stretton Solicitors breaks down everything you need to know about the Skilled Worker Visa — including eligibility, sponsorship, required documents, and how to apply successfully.

Step 1: Understand What the Skilled Worker Visa Is

The Skilled Worker Visa allows skilled individuals from outside the UK to work for a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and is a core route for long-term employment immigration.

Key Features:

Up to 5 years stay (with possibility of extension)
Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Eligible dependants can apply to join

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet a combination of requirements. These include having a confirmed job offer, salary threshold, English language skills, and working for a licensed sponsor.

Minimum Requirements:

Job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor
Minimum salary of £26,200/year or £10.75/hour (or lower in some shortage occupations)
English language proficiency (CEFR level B1)

Expert Tip: Stretton Solicitors can assess your eligibility and guide you through special exceptions or salary reductions (e.g. for new graduates or shortage occupations).

Step 3: Get Sponsored by a UK Employer

Your employer must hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence. They will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is a unique reference number proving the job offer and terms of employment.

If you’re an employer needing a licence, we can help with full sponsor licence application support and compliance training.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application Documents

Once you receive your CoS, you’ll need to submit a full application online, along with your supporting documents. These typically include:

Valid passport or travel ID
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number
Proof of English language ability
Proof of personal savings (unless exempt)
Tuberculosis test results (for certain countries)

Expert Tip: Document errors are among the top reasons for Skilled Worker Visa delays and refusals. Let us help you review and prepare your file correctly the first time.

Step 5: Apply Online and Pay the Fees

Applications are submitted via the UK government website. You’ll also need to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants you access to the NHS.

Current costs (as of 2025):

Application fee: £719 (up to 3 years) or £1,423 (more than 3 years)
IHS: £1,035 per year

After applying, you’ll attend a biometric appointment at a visa centre or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if eligible).

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

Visa decisions typically take 3 to 8 weeks depending on your location and whether you use priority services. You can track your application status online or through the visa centre portal.

If successful, you’ll be issued a visa to live and work in the UK — with the potential to settle after 5 years.

Bringing Family Members

You can include your spouse or partner and children under 18 as dependants in your application. They must provide biometric information and meet eligibility rules — but they’ll have full rights to live, work, and study in the UK.

Over 60,000 Skilled Worker Visas were granted in the UK in the healthcare sector alone in 2023, according to the Home Office.

Need Help Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa? We’ve Got You Covered

The UK immigration process can be complex — but it doesn’t have to be stressful. At Stretton Solicitors, we provide expert legal support for Skilled Worker Visa applicants and sponsoring employers.

✅ Eligibility assessments ✅ Sponsor licence support ✅ Full document review and preparation ✅ Application submission and follow-up

👉 Book a consultation today and let our team help you start your journey to the UK with confidence.

📞 Call us or use our online enquiry form to get started.