Key takeaway: A UK Skilled Worker visa needs an approved sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, an eligible occupation and the minimum salary. India is on the UK TB-test country list, so a TB test can apply. English evidence and an Ecctis assessment for overseas degrees are covered.

What the visa requires

GOV.UK says that to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa you must work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office, have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from that employer, do a job on the list of eligible occupations and be paid a minimum salary. You must have a confirmed job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply. How the salary rule applies depends on the type of work and the date you got your CoS.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa (overview) GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, your job

Occupation code and minimum salary

Before you can check whether your job is eligible, you need its 4-digit occupation code. If you have a job offer, ask your employer for it. A code listed as higher skilled can apply. A code listed as medium skilled can apply only if the job is on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list, with some exceptions, for example for some extensions. GOV.UK currently gives the minimum salary as the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the type of work. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. The minimum may be lower in some cases, such as extending or updating a visa, and different rules apply to some healthcare and education jobs. Check the going-rates table for your code and the date of your CoS.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, your job

India and the TB test

India is on GOV.UK’s list of countries where you may need a tuberculosis (TB) test for a UK visa application. You need the test if all of these are true: you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you were living there, or in another listed country, within the last 6 months. The test must be done at a clinic approved by the Home Office. A clear result gives a certificate valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray. The Skilled Worker document list names TB test results among documents you might need if you are from a listed country.

GOV.UK: Tuberculosis (TB) test for a UK visa application GOV.UK: Countries where you need a TB test for your UK visa application GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, documents you will need to apply

English evidence and overseas degrees

GOV.UK says you usually prove English with a UK school qualification, a UK degree, a degree taught in English from an institution outside the UK, or an approved English test. A degree taught in English that was not awarded by a UK institution needs an assessment from Ecctis, which gives a code confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English. Without other evidence you pass a Secure English Language Test showing at least level B2. If you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and you are extending or updating it, you need level B1 and do not need to prove English again. If you are switching from a different visa, you need level B2. India is not on the GOV.UK list of nationalities that do not need to prove English.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, knowledge of English

Costs and money to show

GOV.UK says to budget for the application fee, the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay, and money to support yourself. The standard fee depends on how long you will stay in the UK and whether you apply from outside or inside the UK, and a lower fee applies if your job is on the immigration salary list. You must usually have at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row, unless an exemption applies. For example, an employer can cover your costs during your first month and certify this on the CoS. This page gives no fee table and no INR conversion; check the GOV.UK fee page when you apply.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, how much it costs GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa (overview)

Documents and timing

You apply online. GOV.UK lists these documents: your CoS reference number, proof 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. Compare them with your contract and ask the employer to correct any mismatch before you submit. Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation. Some jobs, for example in healthcare, education, therapy and social services, need a criminal record certificate if you apply from outside the UK. You can apply up to 3 months before the start date on your CoS. Once you have applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, documents you will need to apply GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa (overview)

Questions before acting

Is an English-taught Indian degree sufficient by itself?

No. GOV.UK says a degree taught in English that was not awarded by a UK institution needs an Ecctis assessment, which gives a code confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.

What if sponsorship details differ from the contract?

Ask the employer to reconcile them before you submit. The application asks for your CoS reference number, job title, annual salary, occupation code, and the employer’s name and sponsor licence number.

Do I need a TB test?

Possibly. India is on GOV.UK’s TB-test country list. The test applies if you are coming for 6 months or more, have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and were living there or in another listed country within the last 6 months. It must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic.

What is the minimum salary?

GOV.UK currently says it is the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for your occupation code. It may be lower in some cases, and some healthcare and education jobs follow different rules.

Corrections in this revision

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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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