Working in the UK: the Skilled Worker visa and licensed sponsors

How it works

• The employer must hold a sponsor licence. The government publishes the register of licensed sponsors, so you can check any company before you apply.
• The employer assigns you a certificate of sponsorship: a reference number describing the job and the salary. You use it in your own visa application.
• The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and paid at least the general minimum salary and the “going rate” for that occupation, whichever is higher.
• You must prove your knowledge of English, and show savings unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance.

What changed recently

The rules were tightened in 2025: the required skill level was raised to degree level for most new applicants and the general minimum salary was increased, which removed many medium-skilled occupations from the route. Some health and care roles follow their own rules. Because the lists and thresholds are revised regularly, read the official page for your occupation code rather than relying on older articles.

Costs to plan for

Besides the visa fee, applicants pay the immigration health surcharge for each year of the visa, and employers pay their own sponsorship charges. Some employers cover part of the applicant's costs: ask before you accept an offer.

Before you apply

• Look the employer up in the register of licensed sponsors.
• Check that the salary offered meets the threshold for the job's occupation code.
• Never pay anyone for a certificate of sponsorship: selling one is illegal.