After your Graduate Route (Post-Study Work) ends or during it, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa if your employer is a sponsor and you meet salary and role requirements. The Skilled Worker visa is the primary pathway to long-term settlement in the UK: after 5 years on Skilled Worker visas, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and eventual UK citizenship.
What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa is an employer-sponsored work visa for international employees. It requires:
- A job offer from a UKVI-licensed employer sponsor
- A salary meeting the minimum threshold
- Your role to be on the approved occupations list
- Your qualifications to meet the role requirements
Unlike the Graduate Route (which allows work without sponsorship), the Skilled Worker visa ties you to a specific employer. Changing jobs requires applying for a new visa or seeking visa change with the new employer.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
You can apply for Skilled Worker visa if:
- You have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a valid Skilled Worker sponsor license
- You meet the salary threshold (typically £33,000–38,000+/year depending on occupation and location)
- Your job is on the approved occupations list (shortage occupations)
- You have relevant qualifications: Your bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree qualifies for most graduate-level roles
- You are on or have been on Student or Graduate Route visa (fastest transition)
- You are outside the UK (if applying from abroad) or in the UK (if switching from Graduate Route)
Most international graduates are eligible if they secure a qualified job offer.
The Job Offer and Sponsorship Letter
Your employer must:
- Hold a Skilled Worker sponsor license from UKVI (check the Register of Sponsors on gov.uk)
- Issue a job contract naming you, the role, salary, location, and start date
- Provide a sponsorship letter confirming:
- Your role and responsibilities
- Your salary and benefits
- Your qualifications are suitable for the role
- Your position is genuine and not duplicating an existing role
- Your salary meets the minimum threshold
The sponsor letter is submitted with your visa application. It is not a legal document but evidence that your employer is aware of your visa sponsorship and has approved it.
Not all employers sponsor international workers. Large multinationals and professional firms are most likely to have sponsor licenses. Check the Register of Sponsors before applying for a role if visa sponsorship is essential.
Salary Thresholds: Minimum Pay Requirements
The UK uses a complex salary threshold system. Most roles fall into these brackets:
| Situation | Minimum Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| General occupations | £33,000/year |
| Shortage occupations (approved list) | £29,000/year |
| Entry-level roles (under 3 years experience) | £25,600/year |
| Senior roles (5+ years experience) | £38,700+/year (varies by role) |
Your salary must include:
- Base salary only (no bonuses, stock options, or benefits counted)
- Salary for 30 hours/week minimum (part-time roles require proportional salary: 20 hours = £16,500 minimum)
Example: A newly graduated Software Engineer in London with a £35,000/year offer meets the £33,000 threshold and is eligible.
Example: A newly graduated Accountant with a £28,000/year offer does not meet the threshold (below £33,000). However, if the role is on the shortage occupations list, £29,000 is acceptable.
Check the current approved occupations list on gov.uk; it is updated quarterly and varies by supply-demand in the UK labour market.
Approved Occupations List (SOL)
Your job must be on the Shortage Occupations List (SOL) or equivalent approved role. Common graduate occupations include:
- Software developers and engineers
- Data analysts and scientists
- Nurses and healthcare professionals
- Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical)
- Teachers and lecturers (secondary, higher education)
- Accountants and auditors
- Architects and surveyors
- Dentists and dental hygienists
Non-approved occupations (not typically sponsored) include:
- Retail and hospitality work
- Unskilled labour
- Some administrative roles
Your employer will confirm whether your role is on the approved list. If unsure, check the gov.uk occupations list or consult an immigration adviser.
Financial Threshold for Skilled Worker
You must prove you can support yourself. The financial requirement is lower than Student Route:
- Proof of savings: £945 (fixed amount, not location-dependent)
- OR employment contract: Your job offer itself counts as proof of financial support (no savings required)
Most applicants use their employment contract as proof; you do not need to deposit £945 separately.
Application Process and Timeline
Step 1: Secure your job offer with a Skilled Worker sponsor employer.
Step 2: Request your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer’s HR or immigration team. This is a unique reference number assigned to you by the employer’s sponsor license.
Step 3: Create a UK Immigration Online account and start your Skilled Worker application:
- Personal details
- Passport number
- Certificate of Sponsorship number
- Your job role and salary
- English language requirement evidence (usually your degree qualifies; otherwise provide IELTS/TOEFL)
Step 4: Pay the visa fee and IHS:
| Cost | Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £719 (standard) or £284 (eVisa pathway) |
| IHS | £1,035/year (usual UK worker rate) |
Step 5: Attend biometric appointment.
Step 6: Receive visa decision (typically 3–8 weeks).
Processing Timeline
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Job offer to CoS request | 1–4 weeks (employer-dependent) |
| Application submission to biometric | 2–4 weeks |
| Biometric to decision | 3–8 weeks |
| Total | 6–16 weeks |
Plan ahead: secure your job 8–12 weeks before your intended start date.
Work Rights on Skilled Worker Visa
With Skilled Worker visa, you can:
- Work for your sponsoring employer only (the employer named in your visa)
- Work full-time or part-time: Salary must scale proportionally
- Study part-time: Short courses, online learning, further qualifications
- Bring dependants: Spouse and children (if you meet financial requirements: typically £18,600+/year per dependent)
You cannot:
- Work for a different employer without applying for a new Skilled Worker visa or changing employers (requires employer transfer)
- Self-employment: Must be sponsored; not permitted outside sponsorship relationship
- Unpaid work or internships: Unless part of your main employment role
Changing Employers on Skilled Worker Visa
If you change jobs mid-visa:
Option 1 - Transfer CoS (Faster): Your new employer requests a CoS transfer from your old employer’s sponsor account. If approved, you can start working for the new employer immediately (within limits). New visa application may not be required if the transfer is fully approved.
Option 2 - New Visa Application: Apply for a new Skilled Worker visa with your new employer. This is a full new application (£719 fee). Your old visa remains valid until the new visa is decided; you can switch visas seamlessly if approved.
Most employers support CoS transfers; discuss this before accepting a new job.
The Five-Year Settlement Route
The Skilled Worker visa is your pathway to settlement:
- After 5 years on Skilled Worker visas (can be with different employers, can include Graduate Route time in some cases), you are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- After ILR: You can apply for British citizenship (typically 1 year after ILR)
- Full settlement: Takes 6–7 years from initial Graduate Route start
This is the primary pathway for international graduates aiming for permanent UK residence.
Dependants on Skilled Worker Visa
You can bring spouse and children on Skilled Worker visa if:
- You meet the financial threshold: £18,600 + £8,400 per dependent (spouse/child)
- Your spouse has worked in the UK previously (some routes) or meets other criteria
Example: Salary £50,000 can support 1 spouse (£50,000 > £18,600 threshold) and up to 3 children (£18,600 + £25,200 = £43,800).
Your dependants will also need IHS payments (£1,035/year each).
Switching from Graduate Route to Skilled Worker in the UK
You can switch visas within the UK:
- Apply for Skilled Worker visa before your Graduate Route expires
- Pay the visa fee (£719)
- Attend biometric appointment
- Receive decision (typically before your Graduate Route expires)
- Your new Skilled Worker visa is activated
No need to leave the UK. Most graduates switch visas this way.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
Salary not meeting threshold: Ensure your base salary (not bonuses) meets the minimum.
Employer not a registered sponsor: Check the Register of Sponsors; working for unregistered sponsors invalidates your visa.
Changing employers without visa update: Staying employed illegally beyond your visa validity or after changing employers without updating your visa.
Assuming degree automatically qualifies: While most graduate roles accept degrees, some roles have specific qualification requirements. Your employer will confirm suitability.
This article is for general information only and is not immigration advice. Consult a regulated OISC/IAA adviser for your case.
Sources
- gov.uk: Skilled Worker Visa
- UKVI Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Worker
- UKVI Register of Sponsors
- UKCISA: Working in the UK After Graduation
Last updated: 2025-08.