Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Applicants must have been issued with a CoS by a UK based employer. The employer must appear on the list of licenced sponsors, current details of which can be found on the gov.uk register.

Note that the CoS is not an actual paper document, rather an electronic record on a database. Each CoS has a unique reference number and contains information about the prospective worker, the job they will be coming to the UK to perform, the length of the contract and the salary.

Appropriate salary

There are minimum salary requirements which vary dependant on the job the applicant is coming to perform. Details of current salary rates can be found here.

Knowledge of English Language

Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English Language of at least B1 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), evidenced by taking an appropriate test, being a national of a majority English speaking country or holding a degree which was taught in English.

Maintenance

Applicants must show that they have at least £945 of savings held for 90 days prior to making their visa application. Alternatively they can ask their sponsor to act as guarantor for this requirement and record this on the CoS.

How long is a Skilled Worker visa granted for?

Skilled Worker visas are granted for the length of contract stated by the sponsor on the Certificate of Sponsorship - plus one month - up to a maximum of five years. Applicants are able to extend their visas within Skilled Worker up to a maximum of six years in total.

What restrictions are there for those with a Skilled Worker visa?

Applicants must undertake the job for which they were initially granted a visa for, i.e. the job detailed on the CoS. If applicants change employers, or even move to a different job within the same organisation they will need to make a fresh Skilled Worker application.

It is possible to take a second job whilst working on a Skilled Worker visa, in certain circumstances. Skilled Worker visa holders are able to study, as long as it doesn't interfere with the job that they are being sponsored for.

Does a Skilled Worker visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Skilled Worker visa holders will become eligible to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years provided that they are still required for UK employment by a licensed sponsor.

They must usually be earning a minimum salary of £38,700, with just a few exceptions:

• Current job appears on the Immigration Salary List: £30,960
• Initial Skilled Worker granted before 4 April 2024 and has been maintained continuously since then: £29,000
• Health & Care workers: £23,200

Applicants will also need to satisfy the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement and should not have spent more than 180 days in any 12 months period outside the UK.

Family members will also usually be eligible for ILR after completing 5 years as a dependant.