How to Get a Work Visa in the UK: Every Route, Requirement and Step Explained (2026)
Working in the UK requires the right visa for your specific situation, and the rules changed significantly in 2025 and 2026. This guide covers every major UK work visa route, including eligibility requirements, costs, and how to apply.
For personalised advice on your UK work visa application, get in touch with our specialist team at Newcastle Immigration Lawyers today. Call us at 0191 303 8965 or contact us online.
What Is a UK Work Visa?
There is no single UK work visa. The route you need depends on your job, salary, skill level, nationality and whether you have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor.
Applying under the wrong route or failing to meet the route-specific rules are common reasons for refusals. The old Tier 2 (General) work visa was replaced by the Skilled Worker route in December 2020 as part of the reformed points-based immigration system.
Post-Brexit, EU nationals who do not have status under the EU Settlement Scheme are subject to the same work visa rules as other non-UK nationals, while Irish citizens remain exempt under Common Travel Area arrangements.
UK work visa routes fall into three broad categories:
- Employer-sponsored routes — you need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence
- Unsponsored routes — you qualify based on factors such as talent, experience, qualifications or nationality, without needing a job offer
- Temporary work routes — for short-term, seasonal or specific-category roles, many of which still require sponsorship
Page Contents
- What Is a UK Work Visa?
- Types of UK Work Visa: Which Route Is Right for You?
- UK Work Visa Requirements — What You Need to Qualify
- What Does a UK Work Visa Cost? Full Breakdown
- How to Apply for a UK Work Visa — Step-by-Step
- Bringing Your Family to the UK on a Work Visa
- From Work Visa to Permanent Residence — The Path to ILR and British Citizenship
- Why UK Work Visa Applications Get Refused — and How to Avoid It
- Key 2025–2026 UK Work Visa Rule Changes You Must Know
- How Newcastle Immigration Lawyers Can Help With Your UK Work Visa
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of UK Work Visa: Which Route Is Right for You?
Overview
The table below summarises the main UK work visa routes and the key criteria for each. Read the sections that follow for more details on whichever route applies to you.
| Visa Name | Job Offer Required | Salary Threshold | RQF Level | Duration | Leads to ILR | Dependants Allowed |
| Skilled Worker visa | Yes | £41,700 or the going rate (whichever is higher) | RQF 3+ (many roles at RQF 6) | Up to 5 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Health and Care Worker visa | Yes | Aligned to Skilled Worker rates (varies by role and going rate) | Eligible health and care roles (often RQF 3+) | Up to 5 yrs | Yes | Restricted – most new care workers cannot bring dependants (transitional exceptions apply) |
| Global Talent visa | No | None | Exceptional talent | Up to 5 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| High Potential Individual visa | No | None | Top global degree | 2 yrs (some doctoral‑level cases up to 3 yrs) | No | Yes |
| Scale-Up visa | Yes | £39,100 | RQF 6+ | 2 yrs | Yes (subject to meeting residence and income requirements) | Yes |
| Innovator Founder visa | No (business idea) | None | Innovation criteria | 3 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Global Business Mobility | Yes (intra-company) | Varies by sub-route | Senior/specialist | Varies | No (routes are non‑settlement) | Yes |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | No | None | None | 2 yrs (3 yrs for some nationalities) | No | No |
| Seasonal Worker visa | Yes | Varies | None | Up to 6 months | No | No |
| Graduate visa | No | None | UK degree | 2 yrs (3 yrs PhD) for applications made up to 31 Dec 2026 | No | Yes |
| Temporary Work visas | Yes (sponsor) | Varies | Varies | Up to 2 yrs (shorter for some sub‑routes) | No | Yes (some) |
Skilled Worker Visa
The primary sponsored route for most professionals. You need a job offer for an eligible role (RQF 3 or above), a salary that meets the general threshold of at least £41,700 from 22 July 2025 or the full going rate for the role (whichever is higher), and a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer with a valid sponsor licence.
Health and Care Worker Visa
A fast-track route for NHS and adult social care professionals. The application fee is lower than for the Skilled Worker route, and applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Since 11 March 2024, most new overseas applicants on the care worker and senior care worker sub-routes cannot bring dependants, except in limited transitional cases.
Global Talent Visa
For leaders and exceptional talent in science, technology, engineering, arts and academia. No job offer is needed, but you must be endorsed by a recognised endorsing body, such as the Royal Society or other Home Office-approved organisations, for your field.
High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa
For graduates of top-ranked global universities. No sponsor or job offer is required, but HPI visa holders cannot apply directly for indefinite leave to remain, they must switch to a qualifying route first.
Scale-Up Visa
For workers joining fast-growing UK companies that meet HMRC’s scale-up criteria. After an initial sponsored period, holders can work for any employer without sponsorship, provided they meet the route conditions.
Innovator Founder Visa
For entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable and scalable business idea. You do not need a job offer, but your business plan must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body.
Global Business Mobility
Covers several sub-routes for senior managers, specialists and graduate trainees who are transferring from an overseas business to a UK entity. Requirements and durations vary by sub-route.
Youth Mobility Scheme
An unsponsored, temporary route for young adults from participating countries, aged 18 to 30 (up to 35 for some nationalities, with longer stays available for some nationalities). It does not lead directly to indefinite leave to remain.
Seasonal Worker Visa
For temporary agricultural work (up to six months) and seasonal poultry work within specific dates. Applicants must be sponsored by a licensed scheme operator.
Graduate Visa
For international students who have completed a UK degree. Holders can work for any employer for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) without a sponsor for applications made up to 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, new Graduate visas will be granted for 18 months (three years for PhD graduates).
Temporary Work Visas
Covers sponsored routes for charity workers, creative and sporting professionals, religious workers, and government-authorised exchange participants. Each has its own eligibility criteria and duration limits.
UK Work Visa Requirements — What You Need to Qualify
Overview
The Skilled Worker visa is the main long-term sponsored work route. Eligibility is assessed under a 70‑point framework, and applicants must score at least 70 points.
Mandatory Points (50 Points)
All three of the following must be met to score the mandatory 50 points:
- Job offer from a licensed sponsor — your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office
- Eligible skill level role — the job must be in an eligible occupation (at RQF Level 3 or above), and the relevant SOC code must appear on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list
- English language — you must meet the required English language level for Skilled Worker (historically set at B1 CEFR in reading, writing, speaking and listening) using an approved English test or a qualifying English‑taught degree, or by being a national of a majority English‑speaking country
Tradeable Points (20 Points)
The remaining 20 points are scored through your salary and, where applicable, tradeable characteristics such as new entrant status or certain qualifications. For most new applications from 22 July 2025, the general salary threshold is £41,700 a year, and your pay must also meet or exceed the full going rate for your SOC code, whichever figure is higher applies.
Certain roles may qualify for a lower salary threshold under the tradeable points rules (for example, some new entrants or specified occupations), but you must still meet the minimum level set in the Immigration Rules, and these roles can still lead to settlement and allow dependants if the general route requirements are met.
Other Requirements
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — your employer must assign a Skilled Worker CoS with the correct SOC code, salary and start date before you apply
- Financial maintenance — you must show a minimum personal savings level held for 28 consecutive days, unless your employer certifies maintenance on the CoS. The current amount for Skilled Worker main applicants is set out in the Immigration Rules and may change over time
- Suitability — you must meet the general grounds for refusal. Serious or recent criminal convictions, significant immigration breaches, and outstanding NHS debts above the threshold set in the Rules can lead to refusal
What Does a UK Work Visa Cost? Full Breakdown
The true cost of a UK work visa is significantly higher than the application fee alone. The table below shows the charges a solo applicant and a family of three face for a five-year Skilled Worker visa.
| Fee type | Who pays | Charged | Solo applicant (5‑year SW) | Family of 3 (5‑year SW) |
| Skilled Worker visa fee (overseas) | Applicant | Upfront | £1,636 (more than 3 years) | £4,908 (3 × £1,636) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Applicant | Upfront (per year) | £5,175 (5 × £776) | £15,525 (3 × £5,175, assuming 3 adults) |
| CoS fee | Employer | Upfront (per CoS) | £525 | £525 (one worker sponsored) |
| Immigration Skills Charge – large | Employer | Per year | £6,600 (5 × £1,000) | £6,600 |
| Immigration Skills Charge – small | Employer | Per year | £2,400 (5 × £364) | £2,400 |
| Priority service (optional) | Applicant | Upfront | £500 | £1,500 (3 × £500) |
| Super Priority service (optional) | Applicant | Upfront | £1000 | £3,000 (3 × £1,000) |
| ILR fee (at settlement) | Applicant | Upfront | £3,226 | £9,678 (3 × £3,226) |
Key points to be aware of:
- As of 2026, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,000 per adult per year, paid upfront for the full visa duration. A five‑year visa for one adult costs £5,175 in IHS alone
- The Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525) and Immigration Skills Charge are paid by the employer, but applicants should confirm this before accepting an offer
- Health and Care Worker visa applicants pay a reduced application fee and are exempt from the IHS, but the exact fee depends on where they apply from and the length of their visa
- The ILR fee is around £3,226 per person, so a family of four could face over £12,800 in Home Office fees at settlement alone
- Paying the wrong application fee can delay a decision and may lead to the application being treated as invalid
How to Apply for a UK Work Visa — Step-by-Step
The steps below follow the Skilled Worker visa application process, which is broadly similar for most sponsored routes
- Secure a job offer from a licensed UK employer. Check that your employer appears on the Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK before accepting an offer.
- Your employer assigns a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). You’ll receive a CoS reference number, which you must enter in your application within 3 months of the CoS being assigned.
- Gather required documents. These include your valid passport, CoS reference number, English language evidence, proof of funds covering the required 28‑day period (if you are not exempt), and any role‑specific qualifications or checks (for example, TB test or criminal record certificate where required).
- Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) online through your UKVI account before you submit the application.
- Submit the online application. If you are applying from overseas, you can apply up to three months before the start date on your CoS; if you are applying in the UK, you must apply before your current permission expires.
- Attend a biometric appointment, unless you are eligible to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Overseas applicants attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- Wait for a decision. Standard processing for overseas Skilled Worker applications takes several weeks. Where available, Priority service aims to give a decision in around 5 working days and Super Priority in around 1 working day, but these timescales are not guaranteed.
- Receive your decision and status. From 2025, many applicants will receive an eVisa rather than a physical Biometric Residence Permit, and their immigration status will be held in a UKVI online account.
If you are outside the UK, you can apply up to three months before the start date on your CoS, but you must not start work until your visa has been granted.
Bringing Your Family to the UK on a Work Visa
Overview
Most Skilled Worker visa holders can bring eligible family members to the UK as dependants. Each dependent must submit their own application, but applications can be linked to the main applicant.
Who Qualifies as a Dependant?
- Spouse or civil partner
- Unmarried partner – you must show you have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years
- Dependent children under 18, and in some cases, children over 18 who already have permission as your dependents and are not living an independent life
Key Restrictions
- Most new overseas applicants on the care worker and senior care worker sub‑routes (under specified Health and Care Worker SOC codes) who applied on or after 11 March 2024 cannot bring dependants, except in limited transitional cases. Other Health and Care Worker visa holders can still bring eligible dependants
- Dependants on Skilled Worker visas are allowed to work in the UK in most jobs, including full‑time work, but there are some limited exceptions (for example, certain professional sports roles)
- Dependants do not automatically receive indefinite leave to remain when the main applicant does, they must meet the relevant residence requirements and apply separately in their own right
Financial Requirements for Dependants
If the employer does not certify maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship, the main applicant must hold the required savings for 28 consecutive days before applying. The Home Office sets separate amounts for the applicant, a partner and each dependent child. These figures do change, so check the latest Skilled Worker maintenance levels on GOV.UK before you apply.
From Work Visa to Permanent Residence — The Path to ILR and British Citizenship
After five continuous years on a qualifying work route, most Skilled Workers can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). You must meet the continuous residence rules throughout that period. Once granted, ILR lifts the ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition, and your leave to remain in the UK is no longer time-limited.
After holding ILR for at least 12 months, most people can apply for British citizenship if they meet the residence and good character requirements. Spouses of British citizens can sometimes apply before that 12-month mark is reached.
Important points on the ILR pathway:
- The ILR fee is £3,226 per person
- The May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed extending the qualifying period from 5 to 10 years for some work routes, but this has not yet been implemented in the Immigration Rules. Check the current position before relying on the five-year timeline
- Not all routes lead to ILR. The High Potential Individual visa, Youth Mobility Scheme and India Young Professionals Scheme do not lead to settlement directly. Holders need to switch into a qualifying route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, before the time counts towards ILR
- Gaps in qualifying leave or periods of overstaying break continuous residence. If you do not extend or switch before your permission expires, the five-year clock restarts
Why UK Work Visa Applications Get Refused — and How to Avoid It
A refused application does not just cost you time and money. It stays on your Home Office record permanently and must be declared on every future application. Understanding the most common reasons for refusal is the best way to protect your application.
Most Common Reasons for Refusal
- Salary below the general threshold or the going rate for the SOC code. In most cases, both must be met, unless a tradeable salary discount applies
- Wrong SOC code — if the code does not match the actual duties, the Home Office can refuse on skill-level grounds. The employer selects the SOC code, but a refusal lands on the applicant’s record
- Genuineness concerns — templated job descriptions, or roles that look created solely to get someone into the UK, are red flags for caseworkers
- Suitability grounds — serious or recent criminal convictions, past immigration breaches, overstaying and outstanding NHS debt can all trigger refusal under the general grounds
- Bank statement errors — missing dates, the wrong period, or statements in a third party’s name are a frequent cause of refusal where maintenance must be shown
- English language evidence from a non-approved provider, or an expired test certificate
- Undisclosed previous refusals. The Home Office treats non-disclosure as deception, which can result in a ban of up to 10 years
What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?
Most Skilled Worker refusals carry a right to administrative review, not a full appeal. The review is limited to whether the caseworker made an error on the evidence before them at the time, you cannot submit anything new. If you are in the UK, you have 14 days to request one; if you are outside the UK, 28 days. Call us at 0191 303 8965 or contact us online.
Key 2025–2026 UK Work Visa Rule Changes You Must Know
The UK work visa system has undergone substantial changes since mid‑2025. If you applied previously or are mid‑application, these updates may directly affect your eligibility and how your case is assessed.
- July 2025 — The skill threshold for most new Skilled Worker roles was raised to RQF Level 6 (degree level), removing over 100 lower‑skilled occupations from sponsorship eligibility.
- July 2025 — The general salary threshold for most new Skilled Worker applications increased from £38,700 to £41,700, or the full going rate for the SOC code if higher. Health and Care Worker salary rules were adjusted separately, with specific thresholds and transitional rates depending on the role
- July 2025 — A Temporary Shortage List (TSL) was introduced to allow sponsorship for selected RQF 3–5 ‘critical’ roles. Workers sponsored in TSL roles cannot bring dependents and lose access to certain salary and fee discounts. The list is time‑limited to the end of 2026, subject to recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)
- December 2025 — The Immigration Skills Charge for medium and large sponsors rose by 32%, from £1,000 to £1,000 per sponsored worker per year
- January 2026 — The English language requirement for new Skilled Worker applicants was raised from B1 to B2 on the CEFR scale
- April 2026 — Home Office visa and settlement fees were increased again, with many work‑route fees rising by around 6–7%. Always check the latest fee table before applying
- April 2026 — Salary compliance rules were tightened so that sponsors must be able to show that sponsored workers are paid at or above the required threshold and going rate in practice, based on actual pay periods rather than relying on annualised averages
- December 2026 — All current entries on the Immigration Salary List (ISL) are scheduled to expire on 31 December 2026 unless the Home Office extends or amends them following MAC advice
- Graduate visa change from 2027: From 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa period for most Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months, while PhD graduates will retain a 3-year period.
- ILR proposals: Some policy papers have suggested extending the qualifying period for settlement on work routes from 5 to 10 years, but as of 2026, Skilled Worker ILR still operates on a 5‑year qualifying period; any change would need to be implemented in the Immigration Rules with clear transitional protections.
How Newcastle Immigration Lawyers Can Help With Your UK Work Visa
UK work visa rules have changed substantially over the past 12 months. The July 2025 salary and skill-level increases, the January 2026 English language change and the April 2026 fee rises mean some applicants who previously qualified no longer do. Using outdated guidance is a direct route to a refusal that could have been avoided.
A refusal stays on your Home Office record permanently. It affects every future application and can cost months at exactly the wrong moment.
Newcastle Immigration Lawyers advises on all UK work visa routes, including the Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, and Scale-Up visas. Our services cover:
- Eligibility assessment across all routes
- Employer sponsor licence support and compliance advice
- Document preparation and application submission
- Administrative review and reapplication strategy following a refusal
We work with clients across the UK and internationally. Call us at 0191 303 8965 or contact us online to discuss your circumstances.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Newcastle Immigration Lawyers before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on June 15th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, on several routes. The Global Talent visa, High Potential Individual visa, Graduate visa and Youth Mobility Scheme have no job offer requirement. The Innovator Founder visa does not need one either, but you must have your business idea endorsed by an approved body. The Skilled Worker visa, the most common route, requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
Several changes came into effect in 2025 and 2026. The general Skilled Worker salary threshold rose to £41,700 in July 2025, and the minimum English language level increased from B1 to B2 in January 2026. Visa and settlement fees increased in April 2026, with most work-route fees rising around 6–7%. The Temporary Shortage List was also introduced, letting certain RQF 3–5 roles be sponsored, but workers on this list cannot bring dependents.
No fixed cap exists. Skilled Worker visas are granted for up to five years and can be extended if you still meet the requirements. After five consecutive years on a qualifying route, most workers can apply for indefinite leave to remain and no longer need to renew it.
Skilled Worker visa holders must work for their sponsoring employer in the role on their Certificate of Sponsorship. Changing employer or moving into a different main role means a new CoS and a new application. Some supplementary and voluntary work can be permitted. The Graduate visa and Youth Mobility Scheme work differently, both allow full-time work with any employer.
Staying or working in the UK after your visa expires is a serious breach of immigration law. It can lead to removal, a re-entry ban and refusals on future applications, particularly where the overstay is significant or repeated. Apply to extend or switch before your current permission runs out, not after.
