UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Requirements, Costs, and How to Find a Sponsor

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is the primary route for international professionals to live and work in the United Kingdom. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020 and has since become the most popular work visa category, with over 100,000 visas issued annually. Whether you are a software developer, nurse, engineer, or teacher, this guide explains exactly what you need to qualify, how much it costs, and how to find a UK employer willing to sponsor you.

How the Points-Based System Works

The UK Skilled Worker Visa uses a mandatory points-based system. You must score 70 points to be eligible. Here is how the points break down:

Mandatory Requirements (50 points)

Requirement	Points
Job offer from a licensed sponsor	20
Job at the appropriate skill level (RQF 3 or above)	20
English language ability at B1 level (CEFR)	10

Salary-Related Points (must earn at least 20 from this category)

Salary Condition	Points
Salary meets or exceeds the going rate and general threshold	20
PhD relevant to the job	10
PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job	20
Job on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List)	20

The key takeaway: you need a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, the job must be skilled (at least RQF Level 3, equivalent to A-levels), and you must meet the salary and language requirements.

Salary Thresholds in 2025

The salary requirements changed significantly in April 2024 and are important to understand:

General salary threshold: GBP 38,700 per year (up from GBP 26,200 previously)
Going rate for your occupation: Each occupation has a specific going rate set by the Home Office. You must meet whichever is higher — the general threshold or the going rate for your specific SOC code.

Important Exceptions to the GBP 38,700 Threshold

Not everyone needs to earn GBP 38,700. Reduced thresholds apply in these situations:

Immigration Salary List occupations: The threshold is reduced to GBP 30,960 (80% of the going rate). Occupations on this list include certain healthcare roles, engineering positions, and IT occupations.
New entrants: If you are under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, the threshold is reduced to GBP 30,960 or 70% of the going rate (whichever is higher).
Health and education workers: Nurses, doctors, teachers, and social workers have occupation-specific thresholds that are often lower than the general requirement.
Existing Skilled Worker visa holders: If you held a Skilled Worker or Tier 2 visa before April 4, 2024, you are exempt from the higher threshold until you apply to extend or switch.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

The Certificate of Sponsorship is a critical document. It is not a physical certificate but a virtual reference number that your employer issues through the Home Office's Sponsorship Management System (SMS).

What you need to know:

Only employers with a valid sponsor licence can issue a CoS
The CoS contains details about your job, salary, and start date
You must apply for your visa within three months of receiving the CoS
Employers pay a fee of GBP 239 (medium/large companies) per CoS

How to Check if an Employer is a Licensed Sponsor

The Home Office publishes a Register of Licensed Sponsors which is updated regularly. You can download this list from the UK government website and search for specific companies. As of early 2025, there are over 90,000 licensed sponsors, including:

NHS Trusts and hospitals
Major tech companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta)
Universities and schools
Consulting and professional services firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
Engineering and construction companies
Retail and hospitality chains (for management-level roles)

If an employer is not on the list, they can still apply for a sponsor licence, but this takes eight weeks or more and costs GBP 536 (small companies) or GBP 1,476 (medium/large companies). Some smaller employers may be willing to apply for a licence if you are the right candidate, but you will need to be proactive in explaining the process.

The Immigration Salary List (Shortage Occupations)

The Immigration Salary List (formerly known as the Shortage Occupation List) identifies roles where the UK has a documented shortage of workers. Being in an occupation on this list offers two advantages:

Lower salary threshold — GBP 30,960 or 80% of the going rate
Lower visa fees — Reduced application fee rates apply

Occupations currently on or recently on the Immigration Salary List include:

Biological scientists and biochemists
Certain engineering roles (civil, mechanical, electrical)
IT professionals (programmers, software developers in some categories)
Healthcare professionals (nurses, radiographers, paramedics, medical practitioners)
Construction project managers
Veterinarians
Graphic designers (in certain contexts)

The list is reviewed periodically by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), so always check the latest version before relying on it.

English Language Requirements

You must prove your English language ability at CEFR Level B1 (intermediate) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You can do this through:

An approved Secure English Language Test (SELT): IELTS for UKVI (Life Skills or Academic, scoring at least 4.0 in each component) or Trinity ISE
A degree taught in English: If you hold a degree from a university in a majority English-speaking country, or a degree taught in English that has been confirmed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), you do not need to take a separate test
Nationality: Citizens of majority English-speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia, etc.) are exempt

Total Costs of the Skilled Worker Visa

Understanding the full cost is essential for planning. Here is a breakdown:

Visa Application Fee

Up to 3 years: GBP 719 (standard), GBP 551 (Immigration Salary List)
More than 3 years: GBP 1,420 (standard), GBP 1,084 (Immigration Salary List)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

GBP 1,035 per year for adults (GBP 776 for children and students)
This covers access to the NHS. For a 3-year visa, the total IHS for a single adult is GBP 3,105.

Immigration Skills Charge (paid by employer)

GBP 1,000 per year for medium/large employers
GBP 364 per year for small employers and charities

Other Costs

English language test: GBP 150-200
Credential assessment (if needed): GBP 140-180
Biometrics appointment: Included in the application fee for most locations
Priority processing (optional): GBP 500 (priority) or GBP 1,000 (super priority for same-day decision)

Total Estimated Cost for a 3-Year Visa

Visa fee + IHS (applicant cost): Approximately GBP 3,824 to GBP 4,525
Employer costs: Approximately GBP 1,000-4,000 depending on company size and visa length

How to Find a UK Sponsor

Finding a sponsor is often the biggest challenge. Here are practical strategies:

Search the Sponsor Register

Download the Register of Licensed Sponsors and filter by your industry. This tells you exactly which companies can sponsor you. Target your applications to these employers.

Use Job Boards With Sponsorship Filters

Indeed UK — Search for "visa sponsorship" along with your job title
LinkedIn — Many job posts specify whether sponsorship is available
Glassdoor UK — Company reviews can indicate sponsorship willingness
GOV.UK Find a Job — Government-run job board

Target Sectors With High Sponsorship Rates

NHS and healthcare — The single largest sponsor in the UK. Hospitals, trusts, and care homes actively recruit internationally.
Technology — London's tech sector is a major source of sponsored roles. Companies from startups to global firms regularly sponsor engineers, developers, and data scientists.
Education — Universities and schools sponsor lecturers, researchers, and teachers, particularly in STEM and shortage subjects.
Professional services — The Big Four and major law firms sponsor qualified professionals.
Engineering and construction — Ongoing infrastructure projects drive demand for civil, structural, and mechanical engineers.

Apply to Recruitment Agencies

Agencies like Hays, Reed, Randstad, and Robert Walters work with employers who sponsor visas. Be upfront about your visa requirements in initial conversations.

Network Strategically

Join UK-focused professional communities on LinkedIn. Connect with people already working in your target companies. Attend virtual career events and webinars hosted by UK employers.

The Path to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

One of the most significant benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa is that it leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is effectively permanent residency.

Requirements for ILR:

Five years of continuous residence in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa (or a combination of qualifying visas)
Salary at or above the required threshold at the time of your ILR application
Knowledge of Life in the UK test — A 24-question test on British history, culture, and government
English language at B1 level — Already satisfied if you met this for your initial visa
No excessive absences — You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period

After ILR:

You can live and work in the UK without any visa restrictions
After 12 months with ILR (and six years total in the UK), you can apply for British citizenship
British citizenship gives you one of the world's most powerful passports, with visa-free access to over 180 countries

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying to employers who are not on the sponsor register. Always verify before investing time in an application.
Accepting a salary below the threshold. Even if the employer offers sponsorship, the salary must meet the minimum requirements or your visa will be refused.
Not budgeting for the IHS surcharge. The health surcharge is a significant cost that catches many applicants off guard, especially families.
Delaying your application after receiving a CoS. You have only three months to apply after your CoS is issued.
Ignoring the new entrant discount. If you are under 26 or a recent graduate, you may qualify for a lower salary threshold. Make sure your employer knows this.

Start Your UK Journey With NextMigrate

The UK Skilled Worker Visa process involves multiple steps, fees, and requirements that can be difficult to navigate alone. NextMigrate helps professionals identify licensed sponsors, prepare their applications, and understand the full cost and timeline of moving to the UK. From initial eligibility assessment to post-arrival settlement planning, our team provides the guidance you need to make your UK move a success.