Skilled Worker Visa — Hire the People Your Business Needs

The Skilled Worker route is the UK's main sponsored work visa. We help employers issue Certificates of Sponsorship correctly and workers apply with confidence.

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"Most refusals are paperwork problems — not people problems."

Skilled Worker Visa

How the Skilled Worker Route Works

The Skilled Worker visa allows UK employers to recruit people from overseas into eligible roles, provided the job meets skill and salary requirements and the worker has a sponsoring employer.

The route is a three-sided puzzle: the employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship; the job must meet occupation code and salary rules; and the worker must meet personal requirements including English language.

ImmigrationPass supports both sides — employers who need to get the sponsorship mechanics right, and workers who want their application prepared carefully.

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Key Requirements

What Must Be in Place Before Applying

Both the role and the person must qualify. These are the core pillars — we verify each one before submission.

A licensed sponsor employer
A valid Certificate of Sponsorship
Correct occupation code & salary level
English language at B1 level
Eligible role at the required skill level

Check a Role's Eligibility

Salary rules are not simple

Salary thresholds have changed repeatedly in recent years, and the correct figure depends on the occupation code, the worker's circumstances (new entrant, PhD, shortage roles) and the applicable rate. Quoting the wrong figure is one of the most common causes of refusal.

We confirm the exact applicable salary requirement against the current rules before the CoS is assigned — not after.

How It Works

The Process, Step by Step

Confirm Sponsorship

We verify your licence status and assign the correct type of CoS — defined or undefined.

Check the Numbers

Occupation code, skill level and salary are verified against current rules.

Worker Applies

The worker's visa application is prepared — English evidence, funds, dependants included.

Arrival & Compliance

Right-to-work checks, start-date reporting and ongoing sponsor duties begin.

Our Fees

Skilled Worker Fees

Costs depend on whether we act for the employer, the worker, or both.

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Initial ConsultationAssessing the role, the worker and the sponsorship mechanics. From £100
Certificate of Sponsorship GuidanceAssigning the CoS correctly, avoiding costly errors. POA
Worker Visa ApplicationFull preparation and submission of the Skilled Worker application. POA

"POA" means price on application — always confirmed in writing before work begins. Home Office fees (visa fee, Immigration Skills Charge, Immigration Health Surcharge) apply separately and are payable to the Home Office. No outcome is ever guaranteed.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What salary does a Skilled Worker need?

It depends on the occupation code and the worker's circumstances. General thresholds have risen in recent years, and some workers qualify for lower 'new entrant' rates. We confirm the exact applicable figure before any application.

What is the difference between defined and undefined CoS?

A defined CoS is for applications made from outside the UK; an undefined CoS is for in-country applications such as extensions or switches. Assigning the wrong type causes delays or refusals.

Can Skilled Workers bring family?

Yes — partners and dependent children can apply as dependants, with their own fees and maintenance requirements.

Does Skilled Worker lead to settlement?

Yes — Skilled Worker is a settlement route. Most workers can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five continuous years, subject to meeting the requirements at that time.

Can someone switch into Skilled Worker from another visa?

In many cases, yes — people in the UK on eligible routes can switch without leaving the country. Eligibility depends on the current visa and circumstances.

How long does the application take?

Standard service is typically around three weeks for in-country applications, with priority services often available. Out-of-country times vary by location. We plan around realistic timelines.

Hiring Overseas, or Applying as a Skilled Worker?

Whether you're an employer or the worker, a consultation clarifies the salary rules, CoS mechanics and timeline before anything is committed.