A successful Skilled Worker visa application is built on a foundation of accurate and complete documentation. The Home Office has a strict list of required evidence, and a single missing document, an incorrect format, or a poorly presented piece of information can lead to significant delays or an outright refusal.
This comprehensive guide provides a detailed checklist of the documents you will need to prepare for your application. To ensure a flawless submission, our team of specialist immigration advisors offers a meticulous Document Checking Service. We review every piece of evidence against the complex immigration rules, giving you complete confidence and the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Essential Documents for Every Skilled Worker Application
These are the core documents and information that every single applicant must provide. Getting these right is non-negotiable.
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Reference Number:
- This is the most critical piece of information. It is a unique reference number provided to you by your UK sponsoring employer. It is the electronic link between your application and your approved job offer.
- Proof of Your Knowledge of English:
- This could be your Secure English Language Test (SELT) certificate, your UK degree certificate, or your Ecctis confirmation for an overseas degree taught in English.
- A Valid Passport or Travel Document:
- This must be your current, valid passport or other travel ID that clearly shows your identity and nationality. It must have at least one blank page for your visa.
- Key Job Details from your CoS:
- Your exact job title and gross annual salary.
- Your job’s 4-digit occupation code.
- The full name of your employer and their unique Sponsor Licence number (this will be on your CoS).
Additional Documents Required Based on Your Circumstances
Most applicants will need to provide one or more of the following, depending on their specific situation. Our experts will create a personalised checklist just for you.
- Evidence of Maintenance (Personal Savings):
- If your employer is not ‘certifying your maintenance’ on your CoS, you must provide bank statements showing you have held at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days.
- Proof of Relationship for Dependants:
- If your partner or children are applying with you, you must provide documents like marriage certificates and birth certificates to prove your relationship to them.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results:
- You must provide a certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic if you are applying from a country where TB screening is mandatory.
- Criminal Record Certificate:
- This is a mandatory requirement if you are applying from outside the UK and your job is in certain sensitive sectors like healthcare, education, therapy, or social services. You may need to provide a certificate from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
- ATAS Certificate (Academic Technology Approval Scheme):
- If your job involves research at a PhD level or higher in a sensitive subject, your employer will tell you if you need to obtain an ATAS certificate before you can apply for your visa.
- Evidence for PhD ‘Tradeable Points’:
- If you are claiming ‘tradeable points’ to qualify on a lower salary based on a PhD, you must provide your UK PhD certificate or, for an overseas PhD, your unique Ecctis reference number confirming its equivalency.
A Note on Document Formatting
Translations: It is a strict requirement that any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full, certified translation from a professional translator. The translation must include confirmation of the translator’s credentials and accuracy.
Why a Professional Document Check is Your Best Investment
The Home Office is incredibly prescriptive about the evidence it requires. A bank statement that doesn’t cover the full 28-day period, a criminal record certificate from the wrong authority, or a missing detail in an employer’s letter can all be grounds for refusal. Our expert Document Checking Service eliminates this risk.
- We create a bespoke checklist tailored to your job, nationality, and family circumstances.
- We meticulously review every single document you provide to ensure it meets the strict format, content, and date requirements.
- We prevent common errors that lead to refusal, saving you time, money, and stress.
- We give you complete peace of mind that your application is as strong as it can possibly be.
Your UK career is a valuable opportunity. Don’t risk it with a simple documentary mistake. Contact our specialist Skilled Worker visa team today for a comprehensive consultation and professional document review.
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.