UK Skilled Worker Visa offers a clear and accessible route for individuals to live and work in the UK — and importantly, bring their families along too.
Whether you’re seeking new career opportunities or aiming to recruit international staff, this visa category is one of the most popular and flexible options available.
Get a job offer and CoS from an employer
Rót vốn đầu tư EB-5
Thẻ xanh Mỹ và hoàn vốn đầu tư
Nhận vốn đầu tư EB-5
Tạo ra 10 việc làm / nhà đầu tư
Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
Work under the Skilled Worker Visa for 5 years
Nhận vốn đầu tư EB-5
Tạo ra 10 việc làm / nhà đầu tư
Rót vốn đầu tư EB-5
Thẻ xanh Mỹ và hoàn vốn đầu tư
Nhận vốn đầu tư EB-5
Tạo ra 10 việc làm / nhà đầu tư
Apply for British Citizenship
1 year
The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s main work visa for people from outside the country.
To qualify, you’ll need to score 70 points by meeting certain requirements — like having a job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence, meeting the required salary and skill level, and proving your English language ability.
One of the great things about this visa is that it also allows you to bring your family with you. Your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply to join you in the UK as your visa dependants.
The visa can last for up to 5 years, and after that, you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency) — giving you the chance to settle in the UK long-term.
Establish or expand a business in the UK.
Have relevant experience and expertise in their field.
Present a viable business plan and demonstrate strong financial backing.
Meet the English language requirements.
Meet the English language requirements.
5 năm, gia hạn 2 lần (1+1).
Applicants over 18 years old. Meet health and criminal record requirements.
Applicants over 18 years old. Meet health and criminal record requirements.
Applicants over 18 years old. Meet health and criminal record requirements.
Applicants over 18 years old. Meet health and criminal record requirements.
Applicants over 18 years old. Meet health and criminal record requirements.
You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor licence.
The job must be on the list of eligible occupations published by the UK Home Office and meet the required skill level.
Your job must meet the salary threshold, which is generally: £38,700/year or the "going rate" for the job (whichever is higher), with some exceptions (e.g., new graduates, shortage occupations).
You must prove your ability to speak, read, write, and understand English to at least CEFR B1 level, usually by: Passing an approved English test, Holding a degree taught in English, or Being from an exempt English-speaking country.
Your employer must issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — a unique reference number confirming your job details.
You must prove you can support yourself in the UK (usually at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days), unless your sponsor certifies this on your CoS.
For most people applying for a Skilled Worker visa, the minimum salary requirement is £38,700 per year — unless you’re eligible for a discount. This standard salary level is known as Option A in the official Home Office guidance.
But it’s not just about hitting that number. Your salary also needs to meet or beat the “going rate” for the specific job you’re being hired for — so both requirements must be met.
The exact salary rules are laid out in the government’s Appendix Skilled Worker. There are actually two sets of thresholds:
One for new applicants applying for their first Skilled Worker visa
Another for existing visa holders who are applying to extend their stay or switch employers
Each situation may have slightly different salary rules, so it’s important to check which one applies to you.
If you’re applying for a Skilled Worker visa for the first time, the general minimum salary requirement is £38,700 per year.
However, some roles qualify for a lower salary threshold of £30,960. This applies if:
The job is listed on the Immigration Salary List, or
You are classed as a new entrant to the job market (such as recent graduates or younger applicants)
If you’re relying on a PhD qualification, you may be eligible for a lower salary threshold:
With a relevant PhD: minimum salary is £34,830
With a STEM PhD (science, technology, engineering, or maths): minimum salary is £30,960
For those applying under the Health and Care Worker visa route, the salary requirements are different:
The minimum salary is £23,200 per year, or the relevant NHS pay scale for your role — whichever is higher
If your job isn’t covered by a national pay scale, you’ll need to meet the general salary threshold of £29,000 per year
Some exceptions may apply depending on your role and experience, especially within the NHS or care sectors.
Each eligible job also has a specific “going rate” — the typical salary for that role in the UK job market. To qualify, your salary must meet or exceed both the minimum salary threshold and the going rate for your occupation.
There are two sets of going rates:
Table 1: For new Skilled Worker applicants
Table 2: For existing visa holders making a new application (like extensions or job changes)
On top of that, there’s also a minimum hourly rate requirement for all roles.
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Calling for 88 EB-5 investments with a total EB-5 loan capital of 70.4 million USD.
HALL Group, with over 50 years of establishment, has owned and developed more than 5 billion USD of real estate in the United States.
15.8 jobs/investor.
5 years, renewable twice (1+1).
Buble Tea Shop
Restaurant
Retail
Beauty Nail Spa
Marketing/Creative Agency
E-Commerce
To get 20 mandatory points under the Skilled Worker visa rules, the applicant must have a valid job offer from a licensed UK sponsor — and both the employer and the worker have responsibilities.
Hold a valid sponsorship licence with an A-rating from the Home Office
Pay the required Immigration Skills Charge
Prove that the job is genuine — meaning there’s a real need for the role, and it’s not just created to help someone get a visa
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that’s been assigned by their UK employer, which confirms the details of the job offer
The CoS must be specific to the role they’re being hired for
Meeting these sponsorship requirements earns the applicant 20 points toward the 70-point total needed for a Skilled Worker visa.
If you’re a UK employer planning to hire a non-UK resident under the points-based immigration system, you may need to apply for a sponsorship licence from the Home Office. This licence is required for employers who want to sponsor overseas workers for a Skilled Worker visa for eligible roles in the UK.
You don’t need a sponsorship licence if you’re hiring someone who already has the right to work in the UK, such as:
People with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
Those with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
UK citizens
To get a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, your organisation will need to show that:
You can offer genuine, skilled employment that meets the UK’s required skill level (RQF level 3 or above) and pays the correct minimum salary.
You can meet your sponsorship duties, which means having the right HR systems in place to manage sponsored workers and ensuring the right personnel are responsible for the management of the sponsor licence. These individuals will use the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
Your organisation and its key personnel are trustworthy. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will check that the people running the business and managing sponsorship are reliable and have no history of serious immigration violations or criminal convictions.
Before someone can apply for a Skilled Worker visa, their UK employer (sponsor) must first issue them a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an essential part of the application — it shows the Home Office that both the job and the applicant meet the sponsorship requirements.
The CoS isn’t a physical document — it’s a unique reference number that the applicant must include when submitting their visa application.
Important: Only employers with a valid sponsorship licence can issue a CoS.
There are two types of CoS, depending on where the applicant is and what type of application they’re making:
For people applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK
The sponsor must request this from the Home Office each time, and provide details about the job and salary
For people already in the UK, switching from another visa route
Also used for other visa categories applied for within the UK or overseas
Sponsors receive a yearly allocation of undefined CoS, but can request more if needed
If a sponsor doesn’t use their allocated undefined CoS within 12 months, they’ll be removed from their Sponsor Management System (SMS) — but it’s easy to apply for more when needed.
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When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, the applicant will need to pay the visa application fee. The fee varies based on factors like whether the job is on the Immigration Salary List or a Shortage Occupation role.
The same fees apply to any dependants who are applying with the main visa applicant.
Applying from outside the UK:
Up to 3 years: £719
More than 3 years: £1,420
Applying from inside the UK (e.g., switching or extending your visa):
Up to 3 years: £827
More than 3 years: £1,636
For roles on the Immigration Salary List or Shortage Occupation List (both in-country and out-of-country applications):
Up to 3 years: £551
More than 3 years: £1,084
On top of the application fee, applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of their visa. This gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.
If you hold a Skilled Worker visa, you can bring your family members (dependents) with you to the UK. Your dependents can include your spouse, partner, or children. The UK government has set specific rules for this, so here’s what you need to know:
Spouse or partner: This includes your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner. If you’re applying with an unmarried partner, you’ll need to prove that you’ve been living together in a relationship like marriage for at least two years before applying.
Children: Your children can apply as dependents if they’re under 18 when you apply. Children over 18 may still qualify if they are living with you in the UK as a dependent and are not married, in a civil partnership, or living independently.
You must show that you have enough money to support your dependents while they’re in the UK. This is in addition to the funds required for your own visa application.
Here’s a breakdown of how much you’ll need to prove:
For a spouse or partner: £285
For your first child: £315
For each additional child: £200 per child
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is an important step towards making the UK your permanent home. It allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without any time limits. It’s also a key part of the process for becoming a British citizen.
To apply for ILR as a Skilled Worker visa holder, you need to meet the following requirements:
You must have lived in the UK continuously for at least five years. During this time, you cannot have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
You need to hold a valid Skilled Worker visa at the time of your ILR application.
You must still be employed by a UK employer who holds a valid sponsorship licence. Your job must continue to meet the required skill level and salary:
Typically, your salary should be at least £25,600 per year or the going rate for your occupation (whichever is higher).
You need to show that you have a good command of English. This can be done by passing an approved English language test at B1 level or higher, unless you’re exempt. You may be exempt if:
You’re from a country where English is the majority language, or
You have a degree that was taught in English.
You must pass the Life in the UK Test, which checks your knowledge of British history, culture, and traditions.
Although the financial requirements for ILR are generally less strict than when you first applied for your visa, you may still need to prove you can support yourself and your dependents.
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ELITEVISA provides support exclusively with business and administrative tasks involved in preparing documents as requested by the company’s appointed solicitor. We are not a law firm and do not offer legal advice or legal services.
Our role is to assist with the organisational aspects of the application process and to connect our clients with experienced, qualified solicitors, who will handle all legal matters directly with the client.
ELITEVISA is not responsible or liable under any circumstances for the outcome of any application, including the granting or refusal of sponsor licences or visas by the UK Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
We do not guarantee the success of any case and accept no liability for any loss, damage, or consequences resulting from the decisions made by the relevant authorities. All applications are subject to the discretion and judgment of the Home Office and UKVI.
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To participate in the EB-5 program, investors must meet the following conditions:
Investment commitment: the investor must participate in a new commercial enterprise.
The total cost for an EB-5 US immigration application can range around $900,000, depending on the number of family members, project location and other factors.
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ELITEVISA is a Vietnam-based international immigration consultancy specialising in visa application support and documentation assistance. We do not provide legal immigration advice nor represent clients before the UK Home Office, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, or any other immigration authority, and are not affiliated with any government agency.
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