Why apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

• The fifth-strongest economy in the world
• Top universities in the world with high QS rankings
• Free healthcare for permanent residents
• High quality of living
• 1.3 million job vacancies
• Clear path to permanent residence (UK ILR) after a few years
• Work with top global companies and earn competitive salaries

 

*Want to work in the UK? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.

 

The UK Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows you to live and work in the UK if you have the right skills for an approved job. This visa is used to fill job gaps in the UK by employing skilled workers from other nations. Many of the jobs are listed under the shortage occupation list, which makes it easier for applicants to get a job offer without going through a labor market test.

With the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you can stay and work in the UK for up to 5 years. During this time, you can gain international work experience and enjoy a high quality of life. After completing the required period, you can extend your visa or apply for UK permanent residence (ILR) and settle in the UK long term.

 

*Planning to apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa? Get expert advice on migrating to the UK Flipbook.

 

UK Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Changes

The UK government has introduced new rules for the Skilled Worker Visa to control immigration and focus on highly skilled professionals. These changes mainly affect the skill level, salary requirements, job eligibility, and dependents. Some relaxations are still available for applicants who applied before the new rules came into effect.

Higher skill level required:
From 22 July 2025, most new Skilled Worker Visa jobs must be at RQF Level 6 or above (degree-level jobs). However, applicants who received a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before 21 July 2025 can still qualify for some lower-skill roles that are no longer eligible under the new rules.

Increased minimum salary requirements:
The UK has increased salary limits for Skilled Worker Visa holders applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 22 July 2025:

• General Skilled Worker: £41,700
• PhD in a relevant field: £37,500
• STEM PhD / Immigration Salary List (ISL) / New Entrant: £33,400
• Workers who applied before 4 April 2024: £31,300
• PhD holders who applied before 4 April 2024: £28,200

Rules for existing visa holders:
Applicants who already hold a UK Skilled Worker Visa or applied before 22 July 2025 can:

• Renew their visa
• Change employers
• Continue working in eligible lower-skill roles as long as they meet the updated conditions.

Second job option:
Skilled workers can take a second job if the role is listed under the Immigration Salary List (ISL) or meets the RQF Level 6 requirement.

Lower-skill jobs for old applicants:
Applicants who applied before 22 July 2025 may continue working in jobs below RQF Level 6 only if the job is listed in the Appendix Skilled Occupations.

 

Read more...
Big Changes to UK Skilled Worker Visa! Are You Still Eligible?

 

Benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa:

• Visa holders can bring dependents on the visa
• Spouse is allowed to work on the visa
• No cap on the number of people who can move to the UK on the visa
• Minimum salary requirement has been reduced to £25,600 from threshold of £30,000
• Fast Track Visas will be provided for healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses

 

UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must score 70 points under the UK points-based system. Points are given for your job offer, skill level, salary, and English language ability.

• You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is approved by the Home Office.
• Your job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (A-level or equivalent).
• The job must be listed as an eligible occupation under the Skilled Worker route.
• You must meet the English language requirement at B1 level (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
• There is no mandatory degree requirement. A bachelor’s degree is not compulsory if the job meets the skill level.
• You must be paid the required minimum salary, which depends on the job role and visa category.

Minimum salary requirements

• General Skilled Worker: usually £38,700 to £41,700 per year, depending on the latest rules and the job’s going rate.
• Health and Care Workers: minimum salary is around £29,000 per year (lower threshold applies).
• Salary must meet either the general threshold or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher.

Documents required for UK Skilled Worker Visa

When applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you need to submit the following documents:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
• Valid passport or travel document
• Proof of English language ability
• Job title
• Annual salary details
• Occupation code of the job
• Name of the employer
• Sponsor licence number of the employer

 

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa from India

Step 1: check whether your job role is listed under the UK Skilled Worker eligible occupations list.

Step 2: Get a job offer from a UK employer

Step 3: Once you accept the job offer, your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 4: Prepare required documents checklist

Step 5: Apply online for the visa and Pay visa fees

Step 7: Book an appointment  and attend biometric appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC)

Step 8: Wait for visa decision

Step 9: If approved, Receive your visa and travel to the UK

 

UK Skilled Worker Visa Fees 

When applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, applicants must pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The total cost depends on the length of stay and whether the job is listed under the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Some applicants may also need to pay extra fees to verify their English language skills or qualifications. The below table shows the breakdown of fee for UK skilled worker visa:

 

UK Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time

When you apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa from India, most decisions are made within about 3 to 8 weeks.

• Standard processing: Usually around 3 to 8 weeks after you submit your application and attend your biometric appointment.
• Priority service: Some applicants can pay more to get a decision faster, often within 5 working days.
• Super Priority service: In many cases you can get a decision by the next working day if you choose this faster option.

 

How Can Y-Axis Help You with the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The UK is a great place for skilled professionals to work and settle. With strong knowledge of UK immigration and work visa rules, Y-Axis provides expert guidance and support at every step. We help you understand the process, meet all requirements, and improve your chances of working and moving to the UK.

Our professional services include:

• Free eligibility check for the UK Skilled Worker Visa with UK immigration points calculator
• Expert guidance and counselling on UK work visa requirements
• Resume marketing services to find relevant jobs with licensed UK employers
• IELTS and PTE coaching to meet the English language requirement
• End-to-end support for UK Skilled Worker Visa application
• Professional resume writing services to help you find suitable jobs in the UK