Work and business in the UK โ route to settlement 2026
Updated: 26 May 2026 ยท All data checked against gov.uk
Updated 2026-05-26
There are four main routes to UK settlement through work: Skilled Worker (with an employer), Global Talent, Innovator Founder and Self-Sponsorship. ILR after 3 or 5 years, then citizenship. The right choice depends on whether you have an employer and whether you want to start a business.
Which route is right for you?
Answer 3 questions โ get a recommended path.
๐ฏ Find out in 30 seconds โSkilled Worker is the main UK work visa. You need a licensed employer (sponsor) who gives you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). From 22 July 2025 the minimum salary is ยฃ41,700 per year or the going rate for your job (whichever is higher). ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain โ permanent residence) is available after 5 years. Total costs โ ยฃ4โ25k upfront depending on family size. Important: from 2024โ2026 many sponsor licences have been revoked โ check your employer before signing a contract.
01 Quick actions
Three things to do before signing anything:
- Check the sponsor register โ gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors (CSV updated daily). Your employer must have A-rated status. 5-minute guide โ
- Calculate the real cost โ visa fee + IHS + English test + biometrics. A family of 4 needs ยฃ5,000โ8,000 upfront. Cost calculator โ
- If you are a care worker โ overseas applications closed 22 July 2025. In-country switching is still open. Details โ
02 What is the Skilled Worker visa
Skilled Worker is the main UK work visa for overseas specialists. You need a licensed employer (sponsor) who issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The CoS is not an employment contract โ it is a permission to apply for a visa. Without a CoS you cannot apply.
From January 2026 English B2 is required at the time of application. The visa fee is paid by the applicant; IHS and ISC are paid by the sponsor (passing ISC costs to the worker is illegal).
What changed in 2025โ2026
All hub pages
Salary thresholds โ 2026
Both conditions must be met: the general floor and the going rate for your SOC code. You must be paid the higher of the two amounts.
| Category | Minimum per year | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard SW | ยฃ41,700 | or going rate โ whichever is higher |
| Reduced SW (new entrants, PhD STEM, ISL) | ยฃ33,400 | 80% of going rate; ISL ends 31 Dec 2026 |
| Standard Health & Care | ยฃ31,300 | or lower going rate |
| Lower Health & Care | ยฃ25,000 | NHS pay scales / ISL / transitional โ 70โ90% of going rate |
Going rate โ 25th percentile salary for your SOC code according to ASHE. For IT roles the going rate is usually higher than ยฃ41,700 (full list at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job). Detailed cost breakdown: SW visa costs โ
ILR โ still 5 years, but reform is coming
As of 13 May 2026 the current rule is: 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa โ you can apply for ILR (permanent residence). Limit: no more than 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period.
Additionally from 8 January 2026: English level B2 is required when you apply for the SW visa. For settlement โ B2 from 26 March 2027 (HC 1691).
In the May 2025 White Paper the government proposed to increase the baseline for ILR to 10 years. The consultation closed on 12 February 2026. As of 13 May 2026 โ these are proposals only, not legislation. Expected implementation window: Aprilโautumn 2026. Check the current status at UK Parliament Library โ
Is the Skilled Worker visa right for you
Eligible if
- You have a job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Salary โฅ ยฃ41,700/year (general from April 2026) or shortage occupation rate
- English B2 (CEFR) โ mandatory at application from 8 January 2026
- Your job is on the Eligible Occupations list at gov.uk
Not eligible if
- No confirmed job offer
- Offer from an employer not on the Register of Licensed Sponsors
- Salary below the threshold for your occupation (SOC going rate)
- Care worker role โ overseas applications closed 22 July 2025
If your sector changed
Route closed for overseas applications from 22 July 2025. Transitional period for care workers already working โ until 22 July 2028 (rule for changing employer โ 3 months). Workers are at risk if sponsor licence is revoked: read about protection โ
Removed from eligible occupations from 22 July 2025. Chefs (SOC 5434) and ~180 roles RQF 3โ5 in hospitality โ no longer available through the SW route.
Only specialist engineering roles. General construction trades RQF 3 (bricklaying, roofing, plastering) are excluded. Labourers โ not eligible.
SW route works. Going rates for Software Developer, Data Science, Cyber Security are usually higher than ยฃ41,700. Large sponsors: Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Wise, Revolut, TCS, EPAM, Capgemini and others. Learn how to check: how to check a sponsor โ
What you give up (honestly)
- Tied to your sponsor for 60 days
If the sponsor dismisses you, you have 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. After that the visa expires.
- Large upfront costs
Visa fee + IHS ยฃ1,035/year + English test + biometrics. A family of 4 can face ยฃ5,000โ8,000 before arrival.
- Care route closed overseas
Since 22 July 2025 you cannot apply for a care worker visa from abroad. In-country switching is still possible.
- ILR โ minimum 5 years
The Earned Settlement proposal (10 years) is not yet law. As of 23 May 2026 the current rule is 5 years.