Wesbridge Associates · /services/skilled-worker-visa

Skilled Worker Visa Application Service

Full Skilled Worker visa application service: eligibility scoring, salary and SOC check, CoS liaison, online form and biometrics — fixed fee, 99% success rate.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The UK Skilled Worker visa lets you live and work in the UK for a licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation, and — after five continuous years of qualifying employment — apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) route and is now the primary long-term work visa for the UK. Wesbridge Associates handles Skilled Worker applications end to end: eligibility screening against the current Immigration Rules (Appendix Skilled Worker), Certificate of Sponsorship review, salary and going-rate checks against SOC 2020, English language evidence, maintenance funds, dependants and the online application itself. We act for individual applicants, for sponsoring employers coordinating multiple hires, and for overseas HR teams relocating staff into the UK from Europe, North America, South Asia, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Far East.

Eligibility at a glance

You need a genuine job offer from a Home Office licensed Skilled Worker sponsor, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for a role at RQF Level 3 or above (roughly A-level or equivalent), English language ability at CEFR B1 in all four components (evidenced by an approved Secure English Language Test, a majority-English degree with UK ENIC confirmation where appropriate, or nationality of a listed English-speaking country), enough maintenance funds (usually £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the application, plus £285/£315/£200 per dependant) unless your A-rated sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS, and you must not be in breach of UK immigration laws.

Salary threshold and going rates

From 4 April 2024 the general salary threshold is £38,700 per year for most new applicants, with lower thresholds of £30,960 or £23,200 for New Entrants (under 26, recent graduates, postdocs, professional trainees or those switching from a Student route), PhD-relevant roles (PhD in a subject relevant to the job at 10% discount, or a STEM PhD at 20%), Immigration Salary List occupations, and Health and Education roles paid on national pay scales. You must be paid at least the higher of the applicable general threshold and the SOC-specific going rate for your occupation code (both are pro-rated for part-time work down to a floor). Our free salary calculator applies the correct rule set for your route, hours and SOC code so you can sense-check the CoS before it is assigned.

How the sponsorship process works

Your employer must hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence rated A, allocate a defined CoS (for out-of-country applicants) or an undefined CoS from their annual allocation (for in-country switches), and confirm the role details on the CoS: SOC 2020 code, gross annual salary, weekly working hours, start date, work location and job description. The sponsor pays the CoS fee (£239) and, unless exempt, the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000 per year for medium/large sponsors, £364 for small or charitable sponsors) at the point of CoS assignment. Once the CoS is assigned you have 3 months to submit the visa application. Applications from overseas are typically decided within 3 weeks; in-country switches within 8 weeks. Priority (5 working days) and Super Priority (next working day) services are usually available for an extra fee.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — free 15-minute screening call to check eligibility against SOC code, salary and English requirements. Step 2 — fixed-fee engagement letter, document checklist and CoS review with your sponsor (we frequently identify SOC or salary issues at this stage that would have caused refusal). Step 3 — we draft the online application, prepare your evidence bundle (passport, TB certificate where required, English evidence, maintenance evidence, previous UK immigration history, criminal record certificate if the role is listed) and book biometrics at UKVCAS in the UK or a Visa Application Centre abroad, or complete the ID check via the UKVI app. Step 4 — we monitor the Home Office decision, respond to any information requests, and on grant brief you on right-to-work, NHS registration, opening a UK bank account and next steps.

The 5-year route to settlement

Skilled Worker time counts towards Indefinite Leave to Remain provided you remain in continuous employment with a licensed sponsor at or above the applicable salary threshold, do not exceed 180 days' absence from the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the 5 years, and, at ILR, pass the Life in the UK test and meet English at CEFR B1. Time on other qualifying work routes — Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up, Representative of an Overseas Business, T2 Minister of Religion, International Sportsperson — can usually be combined towards the 5-year qualifying period. After ILR you can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen).

Dependants and family

Your partner (spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner where you have lived together for 2+ years) and children under 18 can apply as dependants at the same time as you or later. Each dependant pays the same visa fee band and the full Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year for adults, £776/year for under-18s), and the partner has full working rights in almost any role (except as a professional sportsperson) and can study. Children born in the UK to a Skilled Worker parent are not automatically British — they can be registered as British once a parent obtains ILR.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch jobs on a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, but you must be sponsored for the new role — your new employer needs a Skilled Worker licence, must issue a fresh CoS at or above the applicable threshold for that SOC code, and you must submit a change-of-employment application and wait for the decision before starting. Simply moving to an unsponsored job breaches your visa conditions and can trigger curtailment.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. A partner (spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of 2+ years) and children under 18 can apply as dependants at the same time or later. Each dependant pays their own application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Partners have full work rights (except as a professional sportsperson) and children can attend UK state or independent schools.

What happens if I lose my sponsored job?

Your sponsor must report the end of employment via SMS within 10 working days and your visa will normally be curtailed to 60 days (or the remaining leave, if less) to allow you to find a new sponsor, switch route or leave the UK. We can help with same-day switching applications to preserve continuous residence for ILR — the 60-day window closes fast, so instruct advisers immediately if you are made redundant or resign.

Does a promotion or pay rise need reporting?

Salary increases within the same SOC code do not need reporting, but a change of SOC code (a genuine change of role, not a rebadge) requires a new CoS and a fresh application. Changes to job title, work location or reduction in salary/hours must be reported by the sponsor via SMS.

Can I bring a dependent parent?

No. The Skilled Worker route does not permit dependent parents. Parents can only join under the very narrow Adult Dependent Relative route in Appendix FM, which requires evidence that they cannot receive the required level of long-term personal care in their home country — a demanding test in practice.

How does 5 years of Skilled Worker lead to citizenship?

After 5 years of continuous Skilled Worker leave you can apply for ILR. After a further 12 months holding ILR (or immediately if married to a British citizen) you can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, provided you meet the good character, English and Life in the UK requirements and did not exceed 450 days' absence in the 5 years before the citizenship application (or 270 days if married to a British citizen).

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