UK Skilled Worker Visa 2025/2026 Complete Guide
Master the Home Office 70-point requirements, the updated £41,700 general salary threshold, SOC 2020 occupation going rates, Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) rules, eVisa activation, and the 5-year ILR settlement pathway — all sourced directly from official UKVI immigration rules.
- Salary threshold raised to £41,700/year (from £38,700). Note: if your SOC going rate exceeds this, you must meet the going rate — whichever is higher.
- Minimum skill level raised to RQF Level 6 (degree-level), up from RQF Level 3. This significantly narrows eligible occupations.
- English level raised to CEFR B2 (from B1). UKVI IELTS or equivalent SELT required unless you hold a UK degree taught in English.
- STEM PhD discount: £33,400. Non-STEM PhD discount: £37,500.
- Physical BRPs abolished — all grants will be digital eVisas via UKVI account.
70 Mandatory & Tradeable Points Table
Under the UK Points-Based Immigration System, all applicants must score exactly 70 points. The first 50 points are mandatory and non-tradeable — all three must be fully met. The remaining 20 points must come from salary or a qualifying tradeable attribute.
| Category | Requirement | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | Job offer from an approved Home Office Licensed Sponsor (Defined or Undefined COS) | 20 | Non-Tradeable — must be met |
| Mandatory | Job at eligible skill level: RQF Level 6+ (degree-level) effective 22 July 2025 | 20 | Non-Tradeable — must be met |
| Mandatory | English language skills: CEFR Level B2 effective 22 July 2025 (SELT or UK Degree) | 10 | Non-Tradeable — must be met |
| Tradeable | Salary ≥ £41,700 AND ≥ 100% of the SOC 2020 going rate (whichever higher) | 20 | Standard Route |
| Tradeable | PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the role AND salary ≥ £33,400 | 20 | STEM PhD Discount |
| Tradeable | PhD in a non-STEM subject relevant to the role AND salary ≥ £37,500 | 20 | PhD (Non-STEM) Discount |
⚠️ Only one of the tradeable rows is required to score 20 tradeable points. You must score all 50 mandatory points plus 20 tradeable points = 70 total.
SOC 2020 Occupation Going Rate Examples
You must be paid the higher of the general salary threshold (£41,700) or the specific going rate for your 4-digit SOC 2020 occupation code. Going rates are based on the 50th percentile UK annual salary for each role and are published by the Home Office in the "Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes" document.
| SOC 2020 Code | Occupation Title | Going Rate | Required Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
2136 | Programmers & Software Developers | £55,000 | £55,000 |
2215 | Hospital Doctors | £47,500 | £47,500 |
3115 | Civil & Structural Engineers | £43,000 | £43,000 |
2135 | IT Project & Programme Managers | £54,000 | £54,000 |
2231 | Nurses (Adult) | £35,000 | £41,700 (general floor applies) |
4122 | Medical Secretaries | £26,000 | Health & Care Worker Visa (separate route) |
💡 Always check the official Home Office going rates table as these are updated periodically. Variable pay such as bonuses, overtime, and commission generally cannot count toward the minimum salary requirement.
Step-by-Step Skilled Worker Application Roadmap
Secure a Job Offer from a Licensed Home Office Sponsor
Your employer must hold a valid Sponsor Licence from the UK Home Office. They will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) referencing your job title, SOC 2020 occupation code, salary, work location, and start date. Always verify your employer appears on the Register of Licensed Sponsors before signing any contract.
Confirm Your SOC 2020 Code & Going Rate
Every Skilled Worker role is assigned a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 4-digit code. The Home Office publishes going rates (50th percentile UK median salary) for each code. You must be paid the HIGHER of £41,700 or your specific occupation going rate. Common codes include 2136 (Programmers), 2215 (Hospital Doctors), and 3115 (Civil & Structural Engineers).
Prepare Documents & English Language Evidence
Required: Valid passport, current COS reference number, evidence of English B2 (e.g., IELTS 5.5+/UKVI IELTS with individual band scores, or Trinity ISE II), proof of financial requirement (£1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance), and any PhD certificates if claiming tradeable points discounts.
Pay Application Fee & NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Application fees (effective 8 April 2026): Up to 3 years — £819 (outside UK) / £943 (inside UK). Over 3 years — £1,618 (outside UK) / £1,865 (inside UK). You must also pre-pay the mandatory NHS IHS of £1,035 per year per person (including dependants) at the time of application — this is calculated based on the full visa duration rounded up to nearest full year.
Attend UKVCAS Biometrics Appointment
After paying, you will be directed to UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) to book a biometrics appointment. At the appointment your fingerprints and photograph are captured digitally. You may upload supporting documents before the appointment via the portal or have them scanned on-site (fee applies). Physical BRPs are no longer issued — your status will be recorded digitally as an eVisa.
Receive eVisa & Activate UKVI Account
Once approved, you will receive a digital eVisa linked to your UKVI online account (not a physical card or sticker). You MUST create and activate your UKVI account at account.gov.uk to access your status and generate share codes that prove your right to work (to employers) and right to rent (to landlords).
Path to UK Permanent Residence (ILR)
After 5 continuous years on a Skilled Worker visa, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under SET(O). Requirements include: passing the Life in the UK Test (24 questions, 75% pass mark), meeting the 180-day absence rule (no more than 180 days outside UK in any rolling 12-month period), and proving English at CEFR B1 (rising to B2 from 26 March 2027). Current SET(O) fee: £2,885.
Frequently Asked Questions
All data on this page is compiled directly from official UK Government statutory guidance and Home Office immigration rules:
- • GOV.UK Skilled Worker Visa Overview: gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
- • Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker: gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-worker
- • SOC 2020 Going Rates for Eligible Occupations: gov.uk/skilled-worker-going-rates
- • Register of Licensed Sponsors: gov.uk/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
- • Skilled Worker Visa Fees (updated April 2026): gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
- • eVisa & UKVI Account Guidance: gov.uk/evisa
⚠️ Immigration rules can change. Always verify against current GOV.UK guidance or consult an OISC-regulated immigration adviser before submitting your application.