The offered job must fit
GOV.UK lists three requirements for a Skilled Worker visa: the job is eligible, you will work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office, and you will be paid at least the minimum salary rate for the work. The minimum salary is whichever is the highest of £41,700 per year and the going rate for the type of work. Each job has a 4-digit occupation code, and each code has its own going rate. For example, GOV.UK says a salary of £42,000 does not meet the usual requirement if the going rate for the job is £45,000. Codes listed as higher skilled can apply. Codes listed as medium skilled can apply if the job is on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list, or if you are extending and got your first certificate of sponsorship before 22 July 2025. The minimum salary may be lower if you are extending or updating your visa, and there are different salary rules for some healthcare and education jobs. Check the current rules on GOV.UK for your case.
Use the current English rule
GOV.UK says you can prove English with a UK school qualification, a UK degree, a degree from outside the UK that was taught in English (assessed by Ecctis), or an approved English test. The test must show at least level B2 on the CEFR scale. Level B1 applies if you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and are applying to extend or update it. If you are switching from a different visa, you need level B2. The page also lists nationalities that do not need to prove English.
What it costs
GOV.UK says you need money for three things. The application fee: the standard fee ranges from £819 to £1,865 depending on your circumstances. The healthcare surcharge, usually £1,035 per year. And money to support yourself, usually at least £1,270 unless you are exempt. From outside the UK the standard fee is £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years. From inside the UK, to extend, switch or update, it is £943 for up to 3 years or £1,865 for more than 3 years. A lower fee of £628 (up to 3 years) or £1,235 (more than 3 years) applies if the job is on the immigration salary list. GOV.UK gives this example: a 2-year visa for a job not on that list costs £819 plus £1,035 for each year for the surcharge, a total of £2,889 at application. The £1,270 must have been in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row, and day 28 must fall within 31 days of applying. You may not need to show it if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or if your employer covers your first-month costs up to £1,270. Partners and children must also prove they can support themselves. GOV.UK says you will be told how much to pay when you apply, so check the page again before you submit.
Documents
GOV.UK says you will need your certificate of sponsorship reference number, proof of your knowledge of English, a valid passport or other identity document, your job title and annual salary, your job's occupation code, and your employer's name and sponsor licence number. Depending on your case you may also need other documents, such as a tuberculosis test result if you are from a listed country, or a criminal record certificate if you are applying from outside the UK and work in jobs such as education. Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation.
GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Documents you'll need to apply
The application steps
Your employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship, and you must apply within 3 months of getting it. You apply online. You prove your identity either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre, and you are told which when you apply. Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. It may take longer, and you may be able to pay for a faster decision. If you cancel, you only get the fee back if UK Visas and Immigration has not started processing your application.
GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Your job GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Apply from outside the UK
Before accepting relocation terms
Ask who pays each application, travel and housing expense, and put the agreement in writing. If your employer will cover your first-month costs instead of you showing the maintenance money, the certificate of sponsorship must say so. This page does not cover settlement, citizenship or applications by partners and children, which have their own GOV.UK pages.
Questions before acting
Is £41,700 always enough?
No. The minimum salary is whichever is the highest of £41,700 per year and the going rate for the occupation code. GOV.UK also gives lower and different salary rules for some cases, so check the page for your situation.
Is B1 the current general rule?
No. GOV.UK says the English test must show level B2. Level B1 applies if you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it, and some people do not need to prove English at all.
How much do I need to pay and show when I apply?
GOV.UK lists the application fee (a standard fee from £819 to £1,865 depending on circumstances), the healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 per year) and at least £1,270 to support yourself unless you are exempt. You will be told the exact amount when you apply.
How long do I have to apply after I get a certificate of sponsorship?
GOV.UK says you must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
Corrections in this revision
The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:
- Statements without direct official support: removed, or replaced with the official rule. Removed figures are not repeated on this page.
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.
See recorded sources
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Your job — United Kingdom — national (UK Visas and Immigration / Home Office). GOV.UK guide page, no date printed on the page; read 7 Oct 2026; amounts and rules as shown on that date
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Knowledge of English — United Kingdom — national (UK Visas and Immigration / Home Office). GOV.UK guide page, no date printed on the page; read 7 Oct 2026; amounts and rules as shown on that date
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — How much it costs — United Kingdom — national (UK Visas and Immigration / Home Office). GOV.UK guide page, no date printed on the page; read 7 Oct 2026; amounts and rules as shown on that date
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Documents you'll need to apply — United Kingdom — national (UK Visas and Immigration / Home Office). GOV.UK guide page, no date printed on the page; read 7 Oct 2026; amounts and rules as shown on that date
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — Apply from outside the UK — United Kingdom — national (UK Visas and Immigration / Home Office). GOV.UK guide page, no date printed on the page; read 7 Oct 2026; amounts and rules as shown on that date
These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.
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About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
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