The Skilled Worker visa, formerly referred to as the Tier 2 (General) visa, permits individuals to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for the purpose of employment in an eligible position with an approved employer holding a valid Sponsor Licence. Upon completing a continuous period of five years in the UK under this visa category, applicants may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Subsequently, after holding ILR for a minimum of 12 months, individuals may be eligible to apply for British citizenship and acquire a British passport.

For employers, the Skilled Worker visa serves as a structured mechanism to recruit qualified talent for specific roles, either from within the United Kingdom or internationally. To sponsor overseas employees under this visa route, UK-based organizations are required to secure a valid Sponsor Licence in compliance with immigration regulations.

 

 

What’re the requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa?

 

 

Applicants seeking to qualify under the Skilled Worker route must satisfy the following requirements:

A Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, it is mandatory to secure a formal job offer from a UK-based employer holding a valid Sponsor License. This license permits UK employers to recruit individuals from outside the United Kingdom, including EU nationals entering the UK after 1^st January 2021. For further information on organizations approved as licensed sponsors, the official register of licensed sponsors can be accessed here.

 

 

 

 

To apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, it is mandatory to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) from your employer. The COS must comprehensively outline the role offered in the United Kingdom and confirm that it fulfills the necessary visa requirements.

Skill Level Requirement

Under the Skilled Worker route, the position for which you are applying must adhere to the requisite skill level, which is defined as RQF Level 3 or higher (equivalent to A-levels). A detailed list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker Visa can be accessed here.

Minimum Salary Requirement

In addition to satisfying the skill level criteria, the role offered by the sponsoring employer must comply with the stipulated minimum salary requirement. This threshold is determined by the higher of the following criteria:

• A general salary threshold of £26,200, or

 

 

 

The following section outlines the updated minimum salary thresholds announced for implementation in June/July 2025:

---

💷 Revised Minimum Salary Requirements (Effective 22 July 2025)

To qualify under the Skilled Worker visa category, employment must meet both the established general minimum salary criteria and the specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation going rate. The applicable thresholds are detailed as follows:

Option New Threshold Description
General Minimum (Option A) £41,700/year Pertinent to most roles within the Skilled Worker category (DavidsonMorris | Solicitors, Smith Stone Walters).
PhD-Relevant Roles (Option B) £37,500/year (90%) Applicable to positions requiring a relevant PhD qualification.
STEM PhD / New Entrant / Immigration Salary List (Options C, D, E) £33,400/year Discounted salary thresholds for eligible roles and applicants.
Transitional Extensions – Pre-April 2024 (Option F) £31,300/year Applies to visa extension applications for current holders.
Transitional (Option G) £28,200/year Relevant for continuing roles below degree level.
Hourly Minimum Rate £17.13/hour Represents the minimum hourly pay rate across all thresholds.

---

✅ Summary

• Primary new salary threshold: £41,700/year (an increase from the previous £38,700) 

• Discounted thresholds: PhD and new entrant routes now range between £33,400 and £37,500 

• Minimum hourly pay rate: £17.13/hour 

---

📌 Implications for Employers and Applicants

• Starting 22 July 2025, any newly issued or renewed Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must reflect these updated salary thresholds.

• The transitional concessions are limited to certain existing visa holders. New applicants must meet the full revised thresholds, with no exceptions or transitional provisions available.

• Employers and applicants must verify that their roles meet both the general minimum thresholds and the occupation-specific going rates, as the latter may impose higher requirements.

---

If you require a detailed breakdown of the occupation-specific going rates or guidance on determining the most suitable option for your circumstances, please do not hesitate to reach out for further assistance.