UK Skilled Worker Visa: A Detailed Guide to Job & Salary Requirements

Securing a job offer is the first step towards your UK career, but to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, your job must meet a strict and complex set of eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. The rules cover your employer’s status, the skill level of your role, and a demanding minimum salary threshold. Understanding these rules is essential for a successful application.

Our team of specialist immigration advisors provides expert guidance on every aspect of the job and salary requirements. We work closely with both you and your UK employer to ensure that your role, your Certificate of Sponsorship, and your salary all perfectly align with the complex immigration rules, laying the groundwork for a successful visa application.

The Four Pillars of Job Eligibility

Your job offer must satisfy all of the following requirements. A failure in any one area will result in a refusal.

1. Your employer must be a Home Office-approved sponsor.
2. You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
3. Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
4. Your salary must meet the minimum threshold.

Requirement 1 & 2: Your Approved Employer and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Before you can even consider applying, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid Sponsor Licence.

• Finding a Sponsor: You can view the official list of registered UK sponsors to see which companies are approved to hire skilled workers.
• What if my employer is not a sponsor? If your potential employer is not on the list, they can apply for a sponsor licence. This process can take around 8 weeks and involves a fee. We can provide guidance to your employer on this process.
• The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once your employer has confirmed you meet the requirements, they will assign you a CoS. This is a crucial electronic record with a unique reference number that you must have for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of your CoS being issued.

Special Requirement for Care Workers: If you are being sponsored as a Care Worker (occupation code 6135) or Senior Care Worker (code 6136) in England, your employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Requirement 3: Is Your Job Eligible? Understanding Occupation Codes

Not every job in the UK qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa. Your role must be considered skilled enough by the Home Office.

• Finding Your Occupation Code: Every eligible job has a unique 4-digit occupation code. Your employer should provide this to you. If not, you can use the government’s CASCOT occupation coding tool to search for your job title and find the corresponding code.
• Matching the Job Description: It is vital that the duties of your role match the official job description for that occupation code. For example, a skilled ‘Bricklayer’ is eligible, but a ‘Construction Labourer’ is not.
• Checking the Eligible Occupations Table: Once you have your code, you must check it against the official table of eligible jobs. The job must be listed as a ‘higher skilled’ or ‘medium skilled’ occupation to qualify.

Requirement 4: The Minimum Salary Threshold (The Most Complex Rule)

Your salary must be equal to or higher than the highest of the following two figures:

1. The general salary threshold, which is £41,700 per year.
2. The specific ‘going rate’ for your particular occupation code.

Example:
You are offered a job as an IT consultant with a salary of £42,000 per year. This is above the £41,700 general threshold. However, if the official ‘going rate’ for your specific IT consultant occupation code is £45,000, your £42,000 salary would not be high enough, and your application would be refused.

You must check the going rates table for your occupation code to determine the specific rate you must be paid.

When Can You Be Paid Less? Understanding ‘Tradeable Points’

In some specific circumstances, you may still be eligible even if your salary does not meet the high general threshold. If your salary will be at least £33,400 per year, you might qualify if you can claim ‘tradeable points’. This is a complex area but can apply if:

• You have a PhD relevant to your job.
• Your job is on the Immigration Salary List (a list of roles with skills shortages).
• You are a ‘new entrant’ to the labour market (e.g., under 26 or a recent graduate).

Different Rules for Healthcare and Education

If you have a job in certain public sector healthcare or education roles, the ‘going rate’ is based on nationally agreed pay scales, and the salary requirements are different.

How Our Experts Ensure Your Job Meets the Requirements

The job and salary rules are the most complex part of the Skilled Worker route and are subject to frequent change. A small error by you or your employer can lead to a refusal. Our specialist service ensures this doesn’t happen.

• We liaise directly with your employer to ensure the occupation code and job duties are correctly matched.
• We perform a detailed salary assessment to confirm your pay meets the highest of the general threshold or the specific going rate.
• We assess your eligibility for ‘tradeable points’ to see if you can qualify on a lower salary.
• We review your Certificate of Sponsorship before it is assigned to ensure every detail is accurate and compliant.

Don’t risk your UK career on a technicality. Contact our expert Skilled Worker visa team today for a comprehensive job and salary eligibility check.

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.