Work visa for United Kingdom: documents, fees and steps

Documents requested

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, issued by the approved employerConditions and details
The CoS is an electronic record, not a paper document: the employer (the sponsor) checks that the employee meets the requirements, then gives it to them with a reference number needed for the application. You must have a confirmed job offer before applying for the visa. The CoS must have been issued no more than 3 months before the application. Where the CoS is linked to a Sponsorship Reference Number, this limit is 90 days, not counting the days during which a change requested by the sponsor in Sponsor a Worker is being considered. The application cannot be submitted more than 3 months before the job start date stated on the CoS. You can ask the employer for a copy if you do not have it.
Job title, annual salary, 4-digit occupation code, employer name and sponsor licence numberConditions and details
The application asks for the job title and annual salary, the occupation code for the job, the employer name and their sponsor licence number; this information appears on the certificate of sponsorship. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and paid at least the required minimum salary.
Valid passport or other document proving identity and nationalityConditions and details
You need a valid passport, or another document that proves identity and nationality. If an appointment is needed at the visa application centre, you take your passport there and collect it the same day.
Proof of identity: “UK Immigration: ID Check” app (UKVI account) or fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centreConditions and details
The online application includes proof of identity. Depending on the country of origin and the type of passport, you scan your identity document with the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app, which also creates or opens a UKVI account, or you have your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre, which may be in another country. The online application states which of these two routes applies; you should allow extra time if an appointment is needed.
Payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge, in general 1 035 GBP per year of stayConditions and details
The health surcharge is paid in the online application, for each year of stay, by the applicant and by each member of their family: in general 1 035 GBP per year. For a partial period, there is no surcharge for 6 months or less from outside the United Kingdom; a full year is due for more than 6 months and less than a year; for more than a year and 18 months or less, the year plus half; for more than 18 months and less than 2 years, two full years. Certain health and care jobs fall under the Health and Care Worker visa, without a surcharge.

Depending on your situation

Proof of English at CEFR level B2: a UK qualification or one taught in English, or a Secure English Language Test (SELT)Conditions and details
You generally need to prove that you speak, read, write and understand English, at least at CEFR level B2. The proof can be a UK school qualification started before age 18 (GCSE, A level, certain Scottish levels), a bachelor degree taught in English awarded by a UK institution, an Ecctis assessment code for a foreign qualification taught in English, or a SELT from an approved provider. A person who held the visa before 8 January 2026 and is extending or updating it needs level B1 without new proof; a person switching from another visa generally needs level B2. A person switching from a Health and Care Worker visa does not have to provide new proof of English. Exempt are nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. A doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or vet already assessed by their professional body does not have to retake a test.
Proof of 1 270 GBP in savings available for at least 28 days, unless the employer covers the costs of the first monthConditions and details
You must have at least 1 270 GBP in a bank account to prove that you can support yourself in the United Kingdom. This sum must have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within the 31 days before the application. Proof is generally required, unless an application to extend or remain is submitted by a person present in the United Kingdom with permission for at least 12 months, or unless their A-rated sponsor certifies that it will if needed provide their maintenance and accommodation until the end of the first month of employment, to an amount of at least 1 270 GBP: the certificate of sponsorship must then confirm this in the “sponsor certifies maintenance” section of the additional data. Spouses and children must also prove their own funds.
Tuberculosis test certificate, if coming from a listed countryConditions and details
The test is required if you are coming to the United Kingdom for 6 months or more, you have lived for 6 months or more in one of the countries listed by the government and you were living there (or in another listed country) in the last 6 months. It consists of a chest X-ray; the certificate issued after a negative test is valid for 6 months from the X-ray and is included with the application. Accredited diplomats, returning UK residents absent for at most 2 years and people coming through a scheme for Ukrainians do not need it.
Criminal record certificate, for certain education, health, therapy or social services jobs, if applying from outside the United KingdomConditions and details
A criminal record certificate is required from a person applying from outside the United Kingdom who will work in education (teachers, education advisers, inspectors, assistants), health (nurses, doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, dentists), therapy (psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors) or social services (social workers, probation officers). Rule SW 16.1 covers every country where the applicant was present for 12 months or more, continuously or in total, during the 10 years before the application, counting only periods from age 18. This 12-month threshold also applies from age 28. Under SW 16.2, a satisfactory explanation may be accepted where it is not reasonably possible to obtain a certificate from some or all of the authorities concerned.
ATAS certificate (Academic Technology Approval Scheme), if the employer states that it is requiredA valid ATAS certificate is required if the employer states it because the job involves research on a sensitive subject at PhD level or above.
UK doctoral degree, or Ecctis reference number for a qualification obtained outside the United KingdomConditions and details
To benefit from a reduced minimum salary thanks to a PhD relevant to the job, you must provide the UK doctoral degree, or a unique Ecctis reference number where the qualification comes from abroad: the application is then made to Ecctis, which confirms equivalence with a UK doctoral degree.
Certified translation of documents that are neither in English nor in WelshIf the documents provided are not written in English or Welsh, a certified translation is also required.

Official fees

Application from outside the United Kingdom, stay of up to 3 years, per person (standard fee) 819 £
Application from outside the United Kingdom, stay of more than 3 years, per person (standard fee) 1,618 £
Job on the immigration salary list, stay of up to 3 years, per person 628 £
Job on the immigration salary list, stay of more than 3 years, per person 1,235 £
Immigration Health Surcharge, generally per year of stay and per person 1,035 £

Steps

Obtain a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, for a position on the list of eligible jobs.
Check with the employer the 4-digit occupation code, the eligibility of the position and the minimum salary required (41 700 GBP or the going rate for the position if it is higher, except in cases of reduced salary).
The employer issues the certificate of sponsorship (CoS), an electronic record with a reference number needed for the visa application.
Prove one's level of English (B2) unless exempt, then gather the other documents: available funds, tuberculosis test, criminal record certificate, certified translations.
Submit the application online no earlier than 3 months before the start of work, with a CoS issued no more than 3 months earlier (or 90 days in the case of a Sponsorship Reference Number, excluding any period of change being examined); pay the fees and the health surcharge.
Prove one's identity through the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app or at the visa application centre appointment (fingerprints and photo).
Wait for the decision, generally within 3 weeks from outside the United Kingdom; an email explains what to do next.
If the application is accepted, access the eVisa, online proof of immigration status, from a UKVI account to be created if necessary.
Check the conditions before changing job or employer (NRM exception described), apply for the necessary update and extend before expiry. After 5 years, permanent settlement remains subject to conditions.

Where to apply

Official online form "Skilled Worker visa" on GOV.UK ("Start now" button), to be saved and completed later if needed
"UK Immigration: ID Check" app, which also creates or opens the UKVI account, for proof of identity
Visa application centre, which may be in another country, for fingerprints and photo
Approved employer (sponsor): register of approved employers, certificate of sponsorship and application for a sponsor licence by an employer not yet approved
UKVI online account to view and use the eVisa
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), to cancel an application; a refund is only possible if processing has not started

Good to know

Eligibility conditionsConditions and details
To obtain this visa, you must work for a British employer approved by the Home Office, have a certificate of sponsorship from that employer, occupy a position on the list of eligible professions and be paid at least the minimum salary which depends on the type of work and the date of obtaining the certificate. A confirmed job offer is required before the application. The employer must also comply with the legal minimum wage and the rules on working hours, failing which the application is refused.
Minimum salary and cases of reduced salaryConditions and details
The minimum salary is the higher of 41 700 GBP per year and the going rate for the occupation (specific to each occupation code). It may be lower: at least 33 400 GBP with 70 % to 90 % of the going rate for those under 26, students or recent graduates, people in professional training, holders of a doctorate relevant to the job (37 500 GBP at least excluding scientific disciplines) or postdoctoral researchers; 33 400 GBP for a job on the list of jobs with a reduced salary, at least at the standard going rate. For those under 26, students or recent graduates, people in professional training and postdoctoral researchers at 70 %, the total stay cannot exceed 4 years. Different rules apply to health and education jobs and to prison officers who extend or change visa (31 300 GBP at least).
“Medium skilled” jobsConditions and details
A position classified as “higher skilled” allows you to apply for this visa if the other conditions are met. A position classified as “medium skilled” allows the application only if it appears on the list of jobs with a reduced salary or on the temporary shortage list, or for a prison officer extending or switching their visa; a holder whose first certificate of sponsorship dates from before 22 July 2025 may also extend their visa. The occupation code must be checked in the official table of eligible jobs and its local rules for the relevant nation within the United Kingdom.
Employer not yet approvedConditions and details
If the employer is not yet approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they are eligible; they pay a fee (611 GBP for small businesses and charities, 1 682 GBP for medium and large organisations) and the licence application generally takes about 8 weeks. Care workers and senior care workers who work in England must also have an employer registered with the Care Quality Commission.
Total cost to plan forConditions and details
The applicant, their spouse and their children each pay the application fee and the health surcharge for each year of stay, and must prove that they have sufficient savings. Example given by the government: 2 years for a job outside the list of jobs with a reduced salary, that is 819 GBP in fees and 1 035 GBP per year of stay for the health surcharge, 2 889 GBP in total, plus 1 270 GBP in savings to prove if the employer does not cover these costs.
Work in health or careA doctor, a nurse or a health or adult care worker may be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, which is cheaper, without an annual health surcharge.
Duration of the visa, extension and permanent settlementConditions and details
A visa can last up to 5 years before it must be extended. You must apply for an extension or an update before it expires or in the event of a change of job or employer. You can extend as many times as you wish as long as you meet the conditions. After 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent settlement in the United Kingdom if the other conditions of that process are met. Changes of job remain subject to the conditions of the visa; a particular exception linked to the National Referral Mechanism is described below.
What the visa allows and prohibitsConditions and details
The visa allows you to work in the eligible job, to study, to come with your spouse and children if their conditions are met, to do additional work in certain cases, to travel abroad and return, to do unpaid volunteering for certain structures, and to apply to settle after 5 years. It does not allow you to claim most public benefits or the State Pension, nor to change job or employer without having the visa updated. Under SW 18.3, a person referred to the National Referral Mechanism who has received a final positive decision (Conclusive Grounds) during their most recent permission may obtain a change to their work conditions: any work, including self-employment or volunteering, may then be permitted, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. This change is not automatic; the conditions actually granted remain decisive.
Decision time and early submissionConditions and details
UKVI generally makes its decision within 3 weeks from outside the United Kingdom and 8 weeks from inside; a payment sometimes allows a faster decision to be obtained. UKVI may contact the applicant if the application takes longer, for example because documents must be verified, an interview is necessary or because of personal circumstances (a criminal conviction, for example).
Nationals not covered by this procedureConditions and details
Under the immigration rules in force, a person cannot apply for the Skilled Worker visa as a national of Afghanistan. Irish citizens do not need permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom, except in special cases, and British citizens do not need entry permission: this procedure is therefore not intended for them.

Nationalities covered

This procedure applies to 246 nationalities.

Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Caribbean Netherlands
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czechia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
North Macedonia
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
U.S. Outlying Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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