UK
UK Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers and Temporary Workers)
UK Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Guide
The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows non-UK nationals to work in an eligible job with a Home Office-approved sponsor. Candidates must accumulate 70 points under the Points-Based System covering job offer, skill level, salary, and English proficiency.
Statutory Threshold
£38,700 / year (or the occupation-specific standard 'going rate')
Processing Time
3 weeks (priority 5 working days available)
Path to PR
5 years to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Available Roles
763+ Active
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
- Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an A-rated UK Home Office licensed employer
- Job role classified at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent or higher)
- Salary meeting £38,700 or the SOC code going rate (whichever is higher)
- English language proficiency at CEFR B1 level (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
Common Eligible Occupation Categories
Programmers & Software Development Professionals (SOC 2136)
Information Technology & Telecoms Directors (SOC 1136)
Data Analysts & Business Intelligence Leads
Cybersecurity & Information Security Specialists
Product Designers & UX Leads
Employer Sponsor Obligations
- Hold an active Home Office Sponsor Licence with sufficient Certificate of Sponsorship allocation
- Pay the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000/yr for medium/large sponsors, £364/yr for small)
- Maintain strict attendance and reporting compliance records
Countries Sponsoring UK Skilled Worker Visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Key answers regarding UK Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship and immigration rules.
A CoS is an electronic record generated by the employer on the Home Office Sponsor Management System (SMS) containing a unique reference number needed for your visa application.