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 visa 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, construction 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.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa provides international professionals the chance to reside and perform their work in the United Kingdom when they work for an authorized employer. The British government implemented this visa to target specific labor shortages which affect essential industries. The application process requires you to submit a job offer alongside a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and proof that you meet salary and English language standards. Canadians can use this visa to establish their UK residency which will result in permanent settlement after five years.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa can receive an extension provided you continue to match all necessary qualifications. The extension requires you to hold a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor while meeting the specified minimum salary amount. You can receive the visa for a period of up to five years and then renew it multiple times by maintaining your employment in an eligible position. The UK government allows you to become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after maintaining lawful UK residence for five years which equals permanent residency.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa requires candidates to demonstrate English proficiency but they have more than one option for proving their language abilities. The British government accepts PTE Academic as an alternative English test and recognizes academic qualifications taught in English as suitable proof. Canadians holding degrees from English-speaking institutions can avoid the IELTS requirement. Check with UK NARIC (now Ecctis) to confirm your qualifications. Although IELTS is not a strict requirement, you must still demonstrate your language abilities.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa cost between £719 and £1,500 in 2025 based on visa length and occupation. Shortage occupation roles have reduced fees. The government charges an annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per person. The total amount for the application includes expenses for every individual you include in the process. Employers frequently cover sponsorship costs yet applicants must allocate funds for personal financial requirements. To obtain the most recent pricing details, visit the official website of the UK Government.
The renewal process demands that you submit your application before your current visa reaches expiration. Your employer must provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship and you must maintain your salary threshold for continued visa eligibility. The online application process requires you to undergo biometric appointment. The extension can be for up to 5 years. The UK government allows candidates to become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after they complete 5 years of continuous residency while fulfilling residency conditions and integration requirements.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa application requires a job offer to proceed. The UK sponsor must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship to become eligible for the visa. The points-based system requires this particular condition. The process becomes faster once the job offer is secured. You should focus your job search on sectors that appear on the UK's shortage occupation list because these sectors are more likely to employ candidates from abroad.
The Skilled Worker Visa underwent several modifications by the United Kingdom in 2025. Most roles now need to meet a minimum salary threshold of £38,700. Shortage Occupation List positions continue to enjoy discounted salary requirements. The Immigration Salary List has replaced the obsolete shortage list by introducing new in-demand occupations. The new modifications aim to admit highly skilled workers while providing solutions for labour shortages in healthcare, engineering, and construction sectors.
Applicants need to provide the following documents for their visa application:
Canadian citizens may not need a TB test but must still provide all other documentation. If you submit complete and accurate paperwork, it will help expedite the processing time.
You are eligible for the visa if:
The Skilled Worker Visa is an excellent choice for Canadians who work in healthcare, IT, and engineering sectors. The Skilled Worker Visa establishes a direct path to permanent residency which becomes available after five years.
Yes. You can pursue Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status after fulfilling the five-year continuous residency requirement under the Skilled Worker Visa in the United Kingdom. To achieve ILR status, you need to show continuous residency and pass the Life in the UK test while working under a licensed sponsor. ILR status provides permanent residency which enables unrestricted living and working in the United Kingdom. You can begin applying for UK citizenship one year after obtaining ILR status.
Yes. You can pursue Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status after fulfilling the five-year continuous residency requirement under the Skilled Worker Visa in the United Kingdom. To achieve ILR status, you need to show continuous residency and pass the Life in the UK test while working under a licensed sponsor. ILR status provides permanent residency which enables unrestricted living and working in the United Kingdom. You can begin applying for UK citizenship one year after obtaining ILR status.
