Skilled Worker Visa
What is a Skilled Worker visa and what are the work rights? Understand employer sponsorship, restrictions, and checking requirements.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
The Skilled Worker visa allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for specific roles.
What Is a Skilled Worker Visa?
Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsored visa | Employer must sponsor |
| Specific role | Job defined on visa |
| Skill level | RQF 3 or above |
| Salary threshold | Minimum requirements |
Replaced Previous Visas
| Old System | New System |
|---|---|
| Tier 2 (General) | Skilled Worker |
| December 2020 | Transition date |
Work Rights
What's Permitted
| Allowed | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main job | With sponsor |
| Supplementary work | Up to 20 hours |
| Same profession | Or shortage occupation |
| Voluntary work | Usually allowed |
What's Restricted
| Not Allowed | Why |
|---|---|
| Different employer | Without new visa |
| Different role | Beyond scope |
| Self-employment | As main work |
Checking Right to Work
Online Verification
| Process | Step |
|---|---|
| Share code | Employee generates |
| Online service | Employer verifies |
| Confirmation | Shows details |
What You'll See
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Skilled Worker |
| Sponsor | Named employer |
| Occupation | Specific role |
| Valid until | Visa expiry |
| Restrictions | Any conditions |
Verify Sponsorship Match
| Check | Ensure |
|---|---|
| Your company | Is the sponsor |
| The role | Matches their visa |
| Still valid | Not expired |
Employer Sponsorship
Sponsor Licence Required
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Employer must have | Valid sponsor licence |
| Correct tier | For Skilled Workers |
| Compliance | With duties |
Certificate of Sponsorship
| CoS | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issues by sponsor | For each worker |
| Unique reference | Per application |
| Job details | Specified |
| Salary | Confirmed |
Salary Requirements
Minimum Thresholds
| Requirement | Level |
|---|---|
| General threshold | £38,700/year |
| Going rate | For occupation |
| New entrant | Lower rate possible |
| Tradeable points | Some flexibility |
Going Rates
| Varies By | Factor |
|---|---|
| Occupation code | SOC code |
| Location | Some variation |
| Experience | May affect |
Supplementary Employment
What's Allowed
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 hours | Per week |
| Same profession | As main job |
| Or shortage occupation | On list |
| Or sponsorable work | Same level |
Outside Main Job
| This Allows | Example |
|---|---|
| Part-time teaching | If a teacher |
| Weekend nursing | If a nurse |
| Shortage role | Second job |
Notification
| To Sponsor | Required? |
|---|---|
| May need to tell | Check CoS conditions |
| Not always | Depends on sponsor |
Changing Employers
Process Required
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | New employer has licence |
| 2 | New CoS issued |
| 3 | Worker applies to UKVI |
| 4 | Wait for decision |
| 5 | Then start new job |
Cannot Just Switch
| Position | Why |
|---|---|
| Tied to sponsor | Until updated |
| Must apply | Before starting |
| Can be refused | If requirements not met |
During Application
| While Pending | Position |
|---|---|
| Can continue | With current sponsor |
| Or stop work | If left old job |
| Cannot start new | Until approved |
Visa Expiry and Extensions
Visa Length
| Grant | Duration |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 years | At a time |
| Can extend | If still qualifying |
| ILR after | 5 years usually |
Extension Requirements
| To Extend | Need |
|---|---|
| Still sponsored | By employer |
| Same or new role | With sponsor |
| Meet thresholds | Current rules |
Employer Duty
| Track | Action |
|---|---|
| Visa expiry | Of workers |
| If expiring | New CoS for extension |
| Allow time | For processing |
Breaks in Employment
If Employment Ends
| Situation | Time Allowed |
|---|---|
| Find new sponsor | 60 days |
| Or leave UK | Before deadline |
| Or curtailment | Visa cancelled |
Redundancy
| If Made Redundant | Position |
|---|---|
| 60-day period | To find sponsor |
| Still in UK | Legally |
| Must find job | Or leave |
Record Keeping
Employer Records
| Keep | Why |
|---|---|
| Online confirmation | Right to work |
| CoS details | Sponsorship record |
| Visa expiry | For tracking |
| Compliance | Sponsor duties |
Sponsor Compliance
| Duty | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Report changes | To Home Office |
| Keep records | Of sponsored workers |
| Cooperate | With any audits |
Common Issues
Role Changes
| If Role Changes | Action |
|---|---|
| Minor changes | May be okay |
| Significant change | New CoS needed |
| Different occupation | Must apply |
Salary Changes
| If Salary Changes | Check |
|---|---|
| Increase | Usually fine |
| Decrease | May breach threshold |
| Below minimum | Problems |
Absences
| If Absent | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Annual leave | Normal |
| Long sick leave | May need reporting |
| Unpaid leave | Check implications |
Pathway to ILR
Settlement Route
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| 5 years | On Skilled Worker |
| Continuous residence | Absence rules |
| Still employed | Usually |
| Salary threshold | At ILR stage |
Work Rights After ILR
| With ILR | Position |
|---|---|
| No restrictions | Any job |
| No sponsor needed | Free to work |
| Cannot be lost | Unless abroad 2+ years |
For Employers
Before Hiring
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Your licence | Valid and correct tier |
| The role | Eligible for sponsorship |
| Salary | Meets threshold |
| Worker | Has right visa |
Ongoing Duties
| Duty | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pay at least | Stated salary |
| Monitor | Worker's circumstances |
| Report | Changes to Home Office |
| Comply | With sponsor duties |
Summary
Key Points
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sponsored visa | Employer must sponsor |
| Specific role | Job on visa |
| Online check | Required |
| Restrictions | Apply to role |
| Can change | With new CoS |
Related answers
Right to Work Checks: UK Employer Guide
UK employers must verify every employee's right to work before they start. Learn the 3 methods, required documents, and penalties for non-compliance.
Online Right to Work Check
How do you conduct an online right to work check? Step-by-step guide to using the Home Office checking service with share codes.
Sponsor Licence for Employers
What is a sponsor licence and do employers need one? Understand sponsorship requirements, costs, and compliance duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Skilled Worker visa holders change employers?
- Yes, but the new employer must have a sponsor licence and issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship. The worker must apply to update their visa before starting the new job. They cannot simply change jobs freely.
- What work restrictions apply to Skilled Worker visas?
- Skilled Worker visa holders can only work for their sponsoring employer in the specific role stated on their visa. Supplementary work (up to 20 hours per week) in a shortage occupation or same profession is allowed.
- How do I check a Skilled Worker visa holder's right to work?
- Use the Home Office online checking service with a share code from the employee. This will show their visa type, sponsoring employer, and any restrictions. Do not rely on physical documents alone.