Skilled Worker visa — work visa for UK 2026
Updated 2026-05-21
UK Skilled Worker visa requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor and a salary from £41,700/year (from April 2026, for new applicants). Five years of work lead to ILR (settlement). Overseas applications for care worker roles closed on 22 July 2025; in-country switching is still open.
Skilled 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 £41,700 per year or the going rate for your job (whichever is higher). ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent residence) is available after 5 years. Total costs — £4–25k upfront depending on family size. Important: from 2024–2026 many sponsor licences have been revoked — check your employer before signing a contract.
What changed in 2025–2026
Salary thresholds — 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 | £41,700 | or going rate — whichever is higher |
| Reduced SW (new entrants, PhD STEM, ISL) | £33,400 | 80% of going rate; ISL ends 31 Dec 2026 |
| Standard Health & Care | £31,300 | or lower going rate |
| Lower Health & Care | £25,000 | NHS pay scales / ISL / transitional — 70–90% of going rate |
Going rate — 25th percentile salary for your SOC code according to ASHE. For IT roles the going rate is usually higher than £41,700 (full list at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job). Detailed cost breakdown: SW visa costs →
ILR — 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 → 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 — 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 — these are proposals only, not legislation. Expected implementation window: April–autumn 2026. Check the current status at UK Parliament Library →
If your sector changed
Route closed for overseas applications from 22 July 2025. Transitional period for care workers already working — until 22 July 2028 (rule for changing employer — 3 months). Workers are at risk if sponsor licence is revoked: read about protection →
Removed from eligible occupations from 22 July 2025. Chefs (SOC 5434) and ~180 roles RQF 3–5 in hospitality — no longer available through the SW route.
Only specialist engineering roles. General construction trades RQF 3 (bricklaying, roofing, plastering) are excluded. Labourers — not eligible.
SW route works. Going rates for Software Developer, Data Science, Cyber Security are usually higher than £41,700. Large sponsors: Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Wise, Revolut, TCS, EPAM, Capgemini and others. Learn how to check: how to check a sponsor →