A UK Skilled Worker Visa offers access to the UK economy which is among the most powerful and job diverse in the world. Professionals who meet the requirements can reside and work in the UK through employer sponsorship which leads to permanent residency alongside the possibility of obtaining citizenship.
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The UK Skilled Worker Visa enables foreign professionals to work in the UK through a designated employer. The visa serves individuals who have formal qualifications together with relevant work experience inside sectors which experience workforce deficits. You will require sponsorship from an authorized UK employer while your work must meet established salary standards. The visa provides a 5-year duration and allows you to include your family members as dependents. The UK replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa with this visa which is now among the most sought-after immigration pathways for skilled employees.
The UK immigration system evaluates Skilled Worker Visa applications through a points-based framework. You must obtain 70 points to successfully complete your application.
The point distribution system operates in the following way:
The system awards between 10 and 20 points based on the applicant's qualifications in a shortage occupation or their possession of a relevant PhD. Meeting the required 70 points is necessary for obtaining approval.
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To qualify for this vis,a you must satisfy the following requirements:
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The UK Immigration Salary List presents certain job categories for visa sponsorship that require lower income thresholds. Established in 2024, this list replaced the Shortage Occupation List to maintain important roles needed for UK economic development. Employers can offer jobs from this list at 80% of the usual pay rate while maintaining a minimum annual salary of £23,200. The main sectors affected by this list are health care, engineering, constructio,n and education.
| Occupation code | Job types included on the immigration salary list | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only “fishing boat masters.” | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £27,000 (£13.85 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | UK wide | £41,900 (£21.49 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £35,800 (£18.36 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognized by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals, or numbered string positions and who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades are not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | Scotland only | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 meters and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years full-time experience in using their skills.This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
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The UK actively seeks professionals from various industries with over 761,000+ job vacancies.
The table below has the list of top 10 in-demand jobs in the UK along with the average annual salaries:
| Occupations | Average Salaries per year |
| Engineering | £43,511 |
| IT | £35,000 |
| Marketing & Sales | £35,000 |
| HR | £32,842 |
| Healthcare | £27,993 |
| Teachers | £35,100 |
| Accountants | £33,713 |
| Hospitality | £28,008 |
| Nursing | £39,371 |
The fees for the UK skilled worker visa change according to the type of occupation, duration and the location of the visa application.
| Visa category | Fee Category Amount (GBP) |
| Application Fees for stay up to 3 years | £719 |
| Application Fees for stay more than 3 years stay | £1,420 |
| Application Fees if your job is on the Immigration Salary List for a stay of up to 3 years | £551 |
Testimonials and feedback from several individuals prove that Y-Axis has helped them achieve their career ambitions overseas. Our services include:
With Y-Axis, discover opportunities best suited for you and avail of the services and experience to improve your chances of success. Contact Y-Axis today to start your journey of working abroad.
Canadian professionals working in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa can apply to extend their visa before it expires, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The extension process involves:
Step 1: Apply online before your current visa expires.
Step 2: Continue working for a licensed UK sponsor in an eligible job.
Step 3: Ensure your salary meets the current threshold for your role.
Step 4: Obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.
Step 5: Submit required documents, including your passport, CoS, and proof of employment.
Step 6: Pay the visa extension fee and healthcare surcharge.
Step 7: Provide biometric information if requested.
The standard processing time for a UK Skilled Worker visa is about 3 weeks after attending your biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre in Canada. The 3-week timeline applies only if your application is complete, your documents meet requirements, and no additional checks are needed.
Applicants can also opt for:
Note: Delays may occur due to incomplete documents, additional checks, or peak application periods.
From 22 July 2025, Canadian applicants must apply for jobs classified at RQF Level 6 or above to be eligible for a UK Skilled Worker visa. RQF Level 6 corresponds to bachelor’s degree-level roles, meaning the job must require university-level qualifications or equivalent skills and experience. Jobs below RQF Level 6 (such as those previously classified under RQF 3–5, including chefs, dental nurses, and care workers) are no longer eligible for new Skilled Worker visa applications unless listed on a temporary shortage list.
To qualify:
Here’s the step-by-step process for Canadians applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa:
Step 1: Get a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor.
Step 2: Ensure the job is on the eligible occupation list and meets salary and skill level requirements.
Step 3: Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.
Step 4: Apply online via the UK Home Office website.
Step 5: Upload required documents (passport, CoS, proof of funds, etc.).
Step 6: Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge.
Step 7: Attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre in Canada.
Step 8: Wait for a decision (usually within 3 to 8 weeks).
Canadians applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa must prepare specific documents to support their application.
The list of documents required for a UK Skilled Worker visa is as follows:
Payment confirmation for visa application and healthcare surcharge.
