The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows foreign nationals to come to or stay in the United Kingdom to work in a skilled job. This visa is part of the UK’s points-based immigration system, which assesses applicants based on various criteria, including job offer, salary level, and proficiency in the English language. To qualify, applicants must have a confirmed job offer from an approved sponsor, a role that meets the skill and salary thresholds, and a knowledge of English. The visa is typically granted for up to five years, and holders can switch employers or roles, provided they meet the visa requirements. Skilled Worker Visa holders may also bring family members with them to the UK. Additionally, after five years, visa holders may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which provides the right to stay in the UK permanently.
Why apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The world’s fifth-largest economy
Prestigious universities ranked highly in the QS rankings
Free healthcare available for permanent residents
Excellent quality of life
1.3 million job openings
Benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa:
In 2025, the UK plans to offer significant immigration opportunities through new and revised visa routes. These include the Global Business Mobility and Scale-up routes, as well as new visa categories and modifications to existing ones. The introduction of the High Potential Individual visa will make it easier for skilled workers to enter the UK.
With an in-depth understanding of UK immigration policies, Make Visas provides expert guidance and assistance to help you navigate the requirements and increase your chances of successfully migrating to the UK from India.
While there are several routes to migrate to the UK, the most trusted and successful pathways include:
The UK government encourages skilled professionals to apply for the Tier 2 visa program, which provides a competitive edge for those looking to work in the UK. This program enables applicants to select jobs from the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List and apply based on their qualifications.
The most in-demand sectors in the UK include:
In January 2021, the UK introduced a new points-based immigration system that governs eligibility for skilled migration. This system evaluates candidates based on various factors to determine their qualifications for a UK work visa.
To qualify for a UK work visa, applicants must accumulate at least 70 points. The points are awarded based on the following criteria:
Additional points can be earned based on higher qualifications or other factors:
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is designed for non-EU nationals who are skilled professionals seeking to live and work in the UK. This visa has replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) Work Visa.
If your salary is at least £30,960 per year, you may qualify for a reduced salary rate, ranging from 70% to 90% of the standard going rate for your job, provided you meet one of the following conditions:
| Occupation Code | Job types included on the immigration salary list | Areas of the UK which qualify | Standard rate | Lower rate |
| 1212 | Managers and proprietors in forestry, fishing, and related services – only “fishing boat masters.” | Scotland only | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £27,000 (£13.85 per hour) |
| 2111 | Chemical scientists – only jobs in the nuclear industry | Scotland only | £35,200 (£18.05 per hour) | £29,600 (£15.18 per hour) |
| 2112 | Biological scientists – all jobs | UK wide | £41,900 (£21.49 per hour) | £32,100 (£16.46 per hour) |
| 2115 | Social and humanities scientists – only archaeologists | UK wide | £36,400 (£18.67 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 2142 | Graphic and multimedia designers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £35,800 (£18.36 per hour) |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians – only jobs requiring 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3212 | Pharmaceutical technicians – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,400 (£12.00 per hour) |
| 3411 | Artists – all jobs | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3414 | Dancers and choreographers – only skilled classical ballet dancers or skilled contemporary dancers who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK ballet or contemporary dance companies. The company must be endorsed as being internationally recognized by a UK industry body such as the Arts Councils (of England, Scotland or Wales). | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 3415 | Musicians – only skilled orchestral musicians who are leaders, principals, sub-principals, or numbered string positions and who meet the standard required by internationally recognized UK orchestras. The orchestra must be a full member of the Association of British Orchestras. | UK wide | £32,900 (£16.87 per hour) | £27,300 (£14.00 per hour) |
| 3416 | Arts officers, producers, and directors – all jobs | UK wide | £37,500 (£19.23 per hour) | £31,300 (£16.05 per hour) |
| 5119 | Agriculture and fishing trades are not elsewhere classified – only jobs in the fishing industry | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 5213 | Welding trades – only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. | UK wide | £31,700 (£16.26 per hour) | £26,400 (£13.54 per hour) |
| 5235 | Boat and ship builders and repairers – all jobs | Scotland only | £32,400 (£16.62 per hour) | £28,100 (£14.41 per hour) |
| 5312 | Stonemasons and related trades – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5313 | Bricklayers – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5314 | Roofers, roof tilers, and slaters – all jobs | UK wide | £31,000 (£15.90 per hour) | £25,800 (£13.23 per hour) |
| 5316 | Carpenters and joiners – all jobs | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,200 (£12.92 per hour) |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified – only retrofitters | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £25,500 (£13.08 per hour) |
| 6135 | Care workers and home carers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. Private households or individuals (other than sole traders sponsoring someone to work for their business) cannot sponsor Skilled Worker applicants. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6136 | Senior care workers – all jobs, except jobs with a working location in England are only eligible in this SOC 2020 occupation code where the sponsor holds registration with the Care Quality Commission and is currently carrying on a regulated activity. | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 6129 | Animal care services occupations not elsewhere classified – only racing grooms, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands, stud handlers and work riders | UK wide | £30,960 (£15.88 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.90 per hour) |
| 9119 | Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified – only deckhands on large fishing vessels (9 meters and above) where the job requires the worker to have at least 3 years full-time experience in using their skills. This experience must not have been gained through working illegally. |
In addition to the application fees, you will also need to pay a health surcharge of £1,035 per year of stay. This surcharge is refundable if your application is rejected.