Moving to the UK as a Software Engineer: What GOV.UK Says on the Visa

The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:

• The old application fee figures (for stays up to and over three years): outdated. They were replaced by the current fees shown on the gov.uk costs page, for applying from outside and from inside the UK.
• The estimated total first-year cost: a derived estimate, not on any official page. Removed; the official worked example for a short stay is used instead.
• The expected salary range for software engineers, given in euros: no official source and a different currency. Removed.
• The typical going rate for software engineers: outdated. The current going rates table and the general minimum salary are now used instead.
• The market salary ranges for London roles and for senior engineers at large firms: market claims with no official source. Removed.
• The claim that software engineering roles are on the Immigration Salary List and therefore have a reduced salary threshold: not supported. The occupation code for software developers is not in the published table; the claim is removed and the opposite is stated, with its basis.
• The statement that the role must match two named occupation codes: one of them is the code for IT quality and testing professionals, not for software developers. Only the code for software developers is kept.
• The English level given as the entry level or above: corrected. The page requires a higher level for a new test; the lower level applies only to people who held the visa before a stated date and are extending or updating it.
• The single processing-time range: replaced by the page's separate times for applying from outside the UK and from inside the UK.
• The claim that no degree is required if experience is sufficient: not stated on the official pages. Removed.
• The ranking of London against other tech cities, the named companies, the venture-capital market and the cheaper-alternative cities: rankings and market description without official source. Removed.
• The claim that British citizenship is available a set time after indefinite leave to remain: the settlement page read says only that this status can be used to apply for citizenship. The timing is removed.
• The processing time and extra fee quoted for switching employers: removed because the old article did not back them with the sources it cited. The update page gives its own usual decision time and refers to the fees page; this article does not restate either.
• The funds requirement and the healthcare surcharge were re-checked on the official pages and kept; the page describes the surcharge as usually applying.
• The statement that settlement requires meeting the English requirement: corrected. The settlement page says English does not need to be proved again when settling on this visa.
• The statement that many employers cover these costs as part of a relocation package: no official source. Removed.
• The history of the Immigration Salary List replacing the Shortage Occupation List: not stated on the cited pages. Removed.
• The assumption that the job title software engineer equals the occupation code for software developers: the official pages key the code to the duties and that title is not listed, so the text now says the employer must confirm the code.
• The generic World Bank and OECD data-source lines: not article facts. Removed.

Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.