Work Visas in the United Kingdom
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UK Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The UK's Points-Based System requires most workers to have a job offer from a licensed sponsor (an employer approved by the Home Office). The primary work route is the Skilled Worker visa, which requires 70 points across mandatory and tradeable criteria. Other routes include the Global Talent visa for exceptional individuals, the Scale-up visa for high-growth businesses, the Innovator Founder visa for entrepreneurs, and the Youth Mobility Scheme for young people from participating countries.
Since 22 July 2025, the general salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa is £41,700 (up from £38,700) and the skill level floor is RQF Level 6 (degree level, up from RQF 3). Lower thresholds apply for occupations on the new Temporary Shortage List (TSL) — which replaced the Immigration Salary List — as well as for new entrants (under 26, recent graduates, or in professional training) and certain health and education roles. Workers recruited under the TSL below RQF 6 cannot bring dependants. The overseas Care Worker route is closed to new applicants from 22 July 2025 (in-country switches only, until July 2028). The Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year is payable upfront in addition to the visa fee.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You have a job offer from a UK employer and need a work visa
- You are a highly skilled individual wanting to work in the UK without a job offer (Global Talent)
- You are a young person from a participating country eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme
- You are an entrepreneur wanting to establish an innovative business in the UK
Key work visa routes:
- Skilled Worker visa: Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor, job at RQF Level 6+ (degree level; raised from RQF 3 on 22 July 2025), English at CEFR B1 (rising to CEFR B2 from 8 January 2026), and salary at or above £41,700 (or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher). Lower salary thresholds apply for Temporary Shortage List (TSL) occupations — which replaced the Immigration Salary List — new entrants, and health/education workers. TSL workers below RQF 6 cannot bring dependants. Visa fee: £719 (up to 3 years) or £1,420 (over 3 years). IHS: £1,035/year. Immigration Skills Charge rose 32% on 16 December 2025 (large employers now pay £6,600 over a 5-year visa). Can lead to ILR after 5 years. Overseas Care Worker route closed to new applicants from 22 July 2025 — in-country switches only, until July 2028; 111 job codes removed from the eligible list.
- Global Talent visa: For leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts/culture, or digital technology. Must be endorsed by a designated competent body (e.g., Tech Nation for digital technology, UK Research and Innovation for academia). No job offer required, no minimum salary, no sponsor needed. Visa fee: £716. Endorsement fee: varies by body. Can lead to ILR after 3 to 5 years.
- Scale-up visa: For workers hired by a qualifying scale-up company (high-growth businesses). Requires a job offer at £36,300+, RQF Level 6+ (degree-level), English at CEFR B1, and a CoS from a licensed Scale-up sponsor. After 6 months, free to change employers without further sponsorship. Visa fee: £822. IHS: £1,035/year.
- Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS): For nationals of participating countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, etc.) aged 18 to 30 (35 for some countries). Allows work in any job for 2 years. No sponsor needed. Visa fee: £298. IHS: £1,035/year. No path to settlement.
- Innovator Founder visa: For entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved body. No minimum investment required (replaced the old £50,000 threshold). Visa fee: £1,292. IHS: £1,035/year. Can lead to ILR after 3 years.
What to Do If You Want to Work in the UK on a Visa
Step 1: Identify the correct route. If you have a job offer, the Skilled Worker visa is the standard route. If you are an exceptional individual in your field, consider Global Talent. Check the going rate for your occupation on the Home Office's SOC codes list.
Step 2: For a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office. The employer issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Sponsorship Management System. Get the CoS reference number from your employer.
Step 3: Apply online at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. You will need: your CoS reference number, valid passport, proof of English language ability (CEFR B1 via approved test, or degree taught in English), proof of personal savings of at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance), and tuberculosis test results (if from a listed country).
Step 4: Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge upfront. The IHS is £1,035 per year of visa duration (e.g., £5,175 for a 5-year visa). Provide biometrics at a visa application centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
Step 5: If applying from outside the UK, attend your appointment at a visa application centre to submit biometrics. Standard processing is 3 weeks. Priority service (£500) gives a decision in 5 working days.
Step 6: Upon arrival, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from the Post Office branch specified in your decision letter within 10 days. Your BRP is your proof of right to work and access services in the UK.
What should you NOT do?
Don't start working before your visa is granted. Working without valid immigration permission is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act 1971, section 24B. Employers who hire workers without valid right to work face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
Don't let your employer deduct visa or IHS costs from your salary below minimum wage. While employers can ask employees to repay visa costs, this cannot reduce pay below the National Minimum Wage. Sponsor licence fees and the Immigration Skills Charge (£364 to £1,000 per year) must be paid by the employer, not the worker.
Don't change employers on a Skilled Worker visa without a new CoS. Your visa is tied to your sponsor. If you change jobs, your new employer must hold a sponsor licence, issue a new CoS, and you must apply for a new visa (or variation of leave) before starting the new job. Working for an unauthorized employer voids your visa conditions.
Don't overstay your visa. Overstaying by any period can result in a ban from the UK: 1 year overstay results in a 1-year re-entry ban, 2+ years results in a 2 to 10-year ban. If you realise you have overstayed, leave voluntarily as soon as possible to minimise the ban period. If you overstay by more than 30 days, any future application may be refused.
Don't neglect the Immigration Health Surcharge. The IHS must be paid in full upfront before your visa is issued. It is non-refundable if your visa is refused (though you can request a refund). Without paying the IHS, your application will not be processed.
Common Questions
When does work visas apply?
This applies when:You have a job offer from a UK employer and need a work visaYou are a highly skilled individual wanting to work in the UK without a job offer (Global Talent)You are a young person from a participating country eligible for the Youth Mobility SchemeYou are an entrepreneur wanting to establish an innovative business in the UKKey work visa routes:Skilled Worker visa: Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor, job at RQF Level 6+ (degree level; raised from RQF 3 on 22 July 2025), English at CEFR B1 (rising to CEFR B2 from 8 January 2026), and salary at or...
What should I do if I have a job offer in the UK and need to apply for a work visa?
Step 1: Identify the correct route. If you have a job offer, the Skilled Worker visa is the standard route. If you are an exceptional individual in your field, consider Global Talent. Check the going rate for your occupation on the Home Office's SOC codes list.Step 2: For a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office. The employer issues you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Sponsorship Management System. Get the CoS reference number from your employer.Step 3: Apply online at gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. You will need: your CoS referenc...
What mistakes should I avoid with work visas?
Don't start working before your visa is granted. Working without valid immigration permission is a criminal offence under the Immigration Act 1971, section 24B. Employers who hire workers without valid right to work face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.Don't let your employer deduct visa or IHS costs from your salary below minimum wage. While employers can ask employees to repay visa costs, this cannot reduce pay below the National Minimum Wage. Sponsor licence fees and the Immigration Skills Charge (£364 to £1,000 per year) must be paid by the employer, not the worker.Don'...