Guide to Successfully Obtaining a UK Work Visa

Which UK work visa do you need, and what must you have in place before applying? The answer depends on your nationality, job offer, employer, occupation and circumstances. The Skilled Worker visa is the principal sponsored employment route, but there are important alternatives for international transfers, graduates and people who qualify to work without sponsorship.

This guide explains how to identify a suitable route, the difference between employer sponsorship and visa eligibility, the application process and common problems that can delay or prevent approval.

Key takeaways

• Skilled Worker: usually requires a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, an eligible occupation, a Certificate of Sponsorship and the applicable salary and English requirements.
• Salary: the general Skilled Worker threshold is £41,700 for many new applicants, but the applicable occupation going rate and route-specific or transitional rules must also be checked.
• Skill level: new Skilled Worker sponsorship is generally focused on RQF level 6 roles, subject to specified exceptions and transitional provisions.
• English: new Skilled Worker applicants generally need B2 English; different requirements can apply to existing permission holders and other routes.
• Other sponsored routes: Global Business Mobility routes support qualifying overseas business transfers and assignments, while Health and Care Worker rules apply to eligible roles.
• Unsponsored routes: Graduate, Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas have different eligibility criteria and do not generally require an employer sponsor.
• Immtell: our UK Work Visa Services help applicants and employers assess eligibility, sponsorship and the visa application.

What are the main UK work visa options?

Skilled Worker visa

The Skilled Worker visa allows an eligible person to work for a Home Office licensed sponsor in an occupation that meets the relevant skill and salary rules. The employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and the applicant must meet the applicable immigration requirements.

For many new applicants the general salary threshold is £41,700 or the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher. Lower or different thresholds can apply in specified circumstances, including some new entrants, certain health and education occupations and transitional cases. Eligibility cannot be determined from the headline salary alone.

Health and Care Worker visa

The Health and Care Worker visa is a Skilled Worker route for eligible health and social care occupations and employers. It has specific salary provisions and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Sponsorship restrictions, including those affecting care roles and dependants, require careful assessment.

Global Business Mobility visas

Global Business Mobility routes support particular international business arrangements. They are not interchangeable with the Skilled Worker route, and most do not provide a direct route to settlement.

• Senior or Specialist Worker: for qualifying transfers to a linked UK business.
• UK Expansion Worker: for eligible overseas businesses establishing a UK presence.
• Graduate Trainee: for qualifying structured graduate training programmes.
• Secondment Worker: for qualifying overseas workers seconded under eligible contracts or investment arrangements.
• Service Supplier: for qualifying contractual service suppliers and independent professionals.

Graduate visa

The Graduate visa allows eligible international graduates to remain in the UK to work or seek work without employer sponsorship. The length of permission depends on the applicable rules and when the application is made. For non-PhD applicants, the rules provide for a reduction from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027; eligible doctoral graduates can receive three years.

Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is for eligible leaders or potential leaders in specified fields, usually following endorsement or qualifying through an eligible prestigious prize. It does not require an employer sponsor. Immtell supports the immigration application after endorsement, rather than the endorsement process itself.

Other options

Other routes may include the High Potential Individual, Scale-up, Youth Mobility Scheme and certain temporary work routes. Eligibility and permitted activities vary substantially. Not every route leads to settlement or allows the same family arrangements.

Do you need a job offer and sponsor to work in the UK?

For the Skilled Worker route, a qualifying job offer and licensed employer are central requirements. A company offering you employment is not necessarily licensed to sponsor workers, and an offer letter alone does not replace a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Some visas allow work without a sponsored job offer, but the applicant must qualify independently. The Graduate visa, for example, depends on eligible UK study and immigration status; it is not a general route for anyone who has graduated overseas.

Applicants should also distinguish between an employer's sponsor licence and their own immigration permission. Both must be valid and appropriate for the intended employment.

How do UK work visa salary and skill requirements work?

For sponsored work, the employer must identify the correct occupation code, assess whether the role meets the skill requirements and check the relevant salary threshold and occupation going rate. The salary must be calculated under the rules for the particular route and applicant.

Job titles alone are not decisive. Two positions with similar titles may fall under different occupation codes if their duties differ. Likewise, salary arrangements that include allowances, variable pay or deductions need careful review because not every payment counts towards the immigration salary requirement.

The applicable requirements can also depend on when the worker was first sponsored, whether they are extending or switching, and whether a specific exception or transitional provision applies. Employers should not rely on a general online salary figure without checking the current rules for the individual case.

How to apply for a UK work visa

1. Identify the correct route. Check whether the intended work requires sponsorship and whether you meet the route's personal eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm employer sponsorship where required. The employer must hold the appropriate sponsor licence and assign a valid CoS for the role.
3. Check the occupation and salary. Verify the occupation code, duties, working hours, going rate and any applicable concessions or transitional rules.
4. Prepare supporting evidence. This may include your passport, English language evidence, financial maintenance evidence, tuberculosis test certificate or criminal record certificate where required.
5. Submit the correct application. Apply through the official GOV.UK work visa guidance, complete identity verification and provide the required documents.
6. Wait for the decision. Processing times and priority options depend on the route and where you apply. Do not assume that an expedited service guarantees approval.

Where an applicant is already in the UK, switching restrictions and the expiry date of existing permission must be checked before submission. The correct timing can affect both the application and the ability to continue working.

Common reasons UK work visa applications encounter problems

• The employer does not hold the correct sponsor licence or has insufficient CoS allocation.
• The occupation code does not accurately reflect the duties.
• The salary does not meet the applicable threshold or going rate.
• The applicant does not meet the English language or other personal requirements.
• The applicant applies under a route that does not permit switching from their current status.
• The CoS, employment contract and visa application contain inconsistent information.
• Required evidence is missing or the application is submitted after permission expires.

Some issues are best resolved before the employer assigns the CoS. Others relate to the applicant's immigration history or documentation. A proper assessment considers both sides of the sponsorship arrangement.

Can a UK work visa lead to settlement?

The Skilled Worker route can lead to indefinite leave to remain where the relevant requirements are met. Many Global Business Mobility and temporary work routes do not themselves provide a direct settlement route, although switching to another eligible category may be possible.

Proposals to change the UK's settlement system should not be confused with rules already in force. Applicants planning a long-term future in the UK should assess the current requirements and monitor any confirmed changes.

How Immtell supports UK work visa applicants and employers

Immtell advises on UK immigration applications and employer sponsorship. Our UK Work Visa Services cover eligibility, the correct route, supporting documents and preparation of the visa application.

Where an employer is involved, we can also advise on sponsor licence requirements, the appropriate occupation code, salary compliance and assigning a CoS. This avoids treating the visa application as an isolated form-filling exercise.

Our work is led by Gavin Webster, who has 23 years of UK immigration experience, including 13 years with the Home Office and senior roles at EY, PwC and Vialto Partners.

Gavin Webster's perspective

Watch: UK Work Visas

Frequently asked questions

Which visa do I need to work in the UK?

The correct visa depends on the proposed work and your circumstances. Skilled Worker is the main sponsored employment route, while options such as Graduate, Global Talent and High Potential Individual may be available without employer sponsorship.

What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

For many new Skilled Worker applicants the general salary threshold is £41,700 or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher. Different thresholds, exceptions and transitional arrangements can apply, so the specific role and applicant must be assessed.

Do all UK work visas require a sponsor?

Many UK work routes require an employer or other approved sponsor, but some do not. For example, eligible applicants may qualify for the Graduate, Global Talent or High Potential Individual routes without a sponsored job offer.

Can I switch to a UK work visa while already in the UK?

Switching is possible from some immigration categories but prohibited from others. The relevant route, current permission and application timing must be checked before applying.

How long does a UK work visa application take?

Processing times vary by visa route and whether the application is made inside or outside the UK. Some overseas work visa applications are normally decided within around three weeks, but applicants should check the current official service standard.

Can Immtell help both the worker and the employer?

Immtell advises individuals on UK work visa applications and businesses on sponsor licences, occupation codes, salary requirements and Certificates of Sponsorship. The scope of support depends on the case.