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The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for overseas professionals to work in the UK and replaced the Tier 2 (General) route in December 2020. This visa allows eligible individuals to take up sponsored employment with a licensed UK employer. It offers a clear pathway to long-term residence, with the option to extend and, after five years of continuous lawful stay, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The application process begins once your sponsoring employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is an electronic record containing a unique reference confirming your role and eligibility under UK immigration rules.
We have provided a brief outline of the requirements below, for full details you should refer to the official UK government guidance. Applicants are strongly advised to seek independent legal or immigration advice before submitting a visa application.
The Skilled Worker route operates under the UK’s points-based immigration system, which applies equally to EU and non-EU citizens. Applicants must score 70 points to qualify.
Mandatory requirements (50 points):
Tradeable points (20 points):
If your job can be sponsored by the University, People Services will issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Under the Immigration Rules, salary thresholds changed significantly in July 2025:
Ø ISL covers graduate-level roles (RQF Level 6+) eligible for salary discounts.
Ø TSL covers certain medium-skilled roles (RQF Level 3–5) where there is evidence of persistent shortages. TSL is temporary and expires on 31 December 2026.
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) still apply.
PhD Salary Trade and Ecctis Verification
If an applicant cannot meet the standard minimum salary requirement for the Skilled Worker visa, they may be able to ‘trade points’ by using a relevant PhD qualification. This allows a lower salary threshold to apply, provided the occupation is eligible. For STEM PhDs, the salary can be reduced to 80% of the going rate, and for non-STEM PhDs, to 90%, subject to minimum absolute salary levels set by UKVI.
To use this option, the PhD must be verified as equivalent to a UK doctorate. This verification is carried out by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), which issues the necessary confirmation. Applicants will need this evidence when submitting their visa application.
The University holds a Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2) and Temporary Worker (Tier 5) sponsor licence. Once you have accepted your offer of employment and all pre-employment checks (such as references) are complete, the University will assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is an electronic record, not a physical document, and includes a unique reference number that you will need when applying for your visa.
Defined CoS are required for Skilled Worker applicants applying from outside the UK. These must be requested through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and are usually approved by UKVI within one working day, unless further checks are needed.
Undefined CoS are used for Skilled Worker applicants applying from inside the UK and for other visa categories. These are allocated from the University’s annual quota and do not require separate Home Office approval.
Timescale
Once a CoS has been assigned, you must use it to apply for your visa within three months, and no more than three months before the job start date listed on the certificate. If the start date is moved forward by more than 28 days, the CoS will be cancelled. The overall timescale for completing the process can vary, but the minimum is typically around nine weeks.
A Skilled Worker visa is usually granted for up to five years, with an additional 14 days beyond the employment end date. You can extend your visa as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements - there is no overall time limit under this route. After five years of continuous lawful residence, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which allows you to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions and apply for benefits if eligible.
Most visa applications are made online. Fees vary depending on the visa type and duration and are reviewed regularly, so applicants should always check the latest guidance on the UK Government website. Applicants are strongly advised to seek independent legal or immigration advice before submitting a visa application.
When you apply for a UK visa online, you may need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This mandatory fee gives you access to most NHS services during your stay. You may still pay for prescriptions, dental care, and eye tests.
You usually need to pay the IHS if:
You do not pay if you’re applying for a visitor visa or for permanent settlement. The IHS is in addition to the visa fee and must be paid even if you have private health insurance.
If the visa you are applying for requires proof of English language ability, you must demonstrate this through a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), unless you qualify for an exemption. Tests must be taken at an approved centre in the UK or overseas.
Approved SELT providers:
The level of English required depends on the visa type. For Skilled Worker visas, the current requirement is CEFR Level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must meet CEFR Level B2 in all four skills. Existing visa holders applying for extensions are not affected.
Exemptions apply for nationals of majority English-speaking countries, certain qualifications taught in English (UK degrees or Ecctis-verified overseas degrees), and regulated health professionals who have passed an accepted English test for their professional body.
Please check the guidance for your visa to find out the level required.
EU Settlement Scheme
Visa Holders
For Skilled Worker and other sponsored work routes, absences must not exceed 180 days in any rolling 12-month period to maintain eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Only full days count toward this limit; part-day absences (less than 24 hours) do not. Employers must record and authorise all absences for sponsored workers and students.
Unauthorised Absences
If a sponsored worker is absent for 10 consecutive working days without permission, this must be reported to UKVI within 10 working days. Employers must also report if a sponsored worker does not start work on their expected start date.
Monitoring and Record Keeping
Sponsors are required to monitor attendance and retain records for compliance purposes, including copies of passports, biometric residence permits, and up-to-date contact details. Recruitment records, such as evidence of advertising and interview notes, must also be kept for the duration of sponsorship and for two years after it ends. The Home Office may request these documents at any time.