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Moving overseas advice
Skilled Worker visa UK list 2026
Key takeaways
- A Skilled Worker visa allows overseas nationals to work for an approved UK-based employer and move to the UK to live.
- Some of the most common Skilled Worker visa job roles in the UK are IT business analysts, software developers, cybersecurity specialists, midwifery nurses, care workers and teachers.
- UK Skilled Worker visa requirements include earning at least 70 points under the points-based system, securing a job offer, meeting salary thresholds, and proving your English language ability.
- You can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa online through the official GOV.UK portal up to three months before your employment start date.
What is a Skilled Worker visa?
A Skilled Worker visa allows overseas nationals to work for an approved UK-based employer and move to the UK to live. The UK government introduced the visa in December 2020 to replace the Tier 2 (General) visa after Brexit ended free movement for EU citizens.
The visa operates under a points-based system, which means you must meet specific criteria to qualify. To apply, you need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer licensed by the UK Home Office. Your role must meet the required skill levels and minimum salary thresholds, and you must demonstrate your English language proficiency.
Visa rules tie applicants to their sponsoring employer and specific job role. If you change jobs or employers, you must reapply. Application fees vary depending on your circumstances, but typically range from several hundred to over £1,000 (US$1,344/€1,157). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is typically £1,035 (US$1,391/€1,197).
Benefits include the right to live and work legally in the UK for up to five years and the option to bring your partner and children as dependents. Successful applicants also gain access to the National Health Service (NHS). After five continuous years living in the UK, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
For the 2025 program, the UK granted
55,704 visas
via the skilled worker stream
UK Skilled Worker visa salary*
The government determines UK Skilled Worker visa salaries using two competing rules: the general salary threshold of £41,700 (US$55,920/€48,217)* and the going rate for each occupation. To qualify for the visa, your employer must pay you the higher of these two amounts. For example, as the 2026 going rate for a public relations and communications director is £77,200 (US$103,525/€89,265), you must be paid at least that amount to qualify. Conversely, as the current going rate for hotel and accommodation managers and proprietors is £38,300 (US$51,360/€44,286), you would instead receive the general salary threshold of £41,700 (US$55,920/€48,217).
However, it is possible to secure a Skilled Worker visa on a lower salary if your pay is at least £33,400 (US$44,789/€38,620) per year and you meet at least one of the following requirements:
- You're under 26 years old, studying, a recent graduate, or in professional training.
- You have a STEM (science, technology, engineering or maths) PhD-level qualification that's relevant to your job.
- You have a non-STEM relevant PhD level qualification that's relevant to your job (however, your salary must be at least £37,500 (US$50,287/€43,361).
- You hold a postdoctoral role in science or higher education.
Skilled Worker visa UK list 2026
The following are some of the most common Skilled Worker visa job roles in the UK, along with their four-digit SOC codes and average salary*:
| SOC code | Job role | Avg. annual salary |
| 2133 | IT business analysts | £62,029 (US$82,016/€71,894) |
| 2134 |
Programmers and software developers
|
£55,587 (US$73,504/€64,427) |
| 2135 | Cybersecurity specialists | £52,392 (US$69,279/€60,717) |
| 2136 |
Software testers
|
£44,447 (US$58,750/€51,510) |
| 2141 | Web designers | £29,051 (US$38,400/€33,668) |
| 2211 | General medical practitioners | £69,543 (US$91,923/€80,594) |
| 2231 | Midwifery nurses | £38,541 (US$50,944/€44,662) |
| 6135 | Care workers | £26,833 (US$35,465/€31,095) |
| 2313 | Secondary education teachers | £45,261 (US$59,822/€52,453) |
| 2314 | Primary education teachers | £36,159 (US$47,795/€41,904) |
| 2440 | Business project managers | £59,197 (US$78,255/€68,603) |
The UK government maintains a list of roles facing critical domestic recruitment shortages. If your profession appears on the Immigration Salary List (ISL), you may benefit from a discounted general salary threshold. Below are the five best-paying positions on this list:
| SOC code | Job role | Avg. annual salary |
| 1258 | Consultancy services directors | £70,100 (US$92,639/€81,309) |
| 3512 | Ship and hovercraft officers | £58,300 (US$77,036/€67,622) |
| 3533 | Financial and accounting technicians | £48,700 (US$64,350/€56,490) |
| 5214 | Pipe fitters | £46,000 (US$60,762/€53,358) |
| 5249 | Electrical trades | £45,800 (US$60,497/€53,125) |
You can view the complete registry of eligible roles and their respective going rates on the official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes publication page.
*Salaries and exchange rates accurate as of 2026
What is the SOC code for a Skilled Worker visa?
The SOC code for a Skilled Worker visa, or Standard Occupational Classification code, is a four-digit number the UK government uses to categorise every type of job. It determines whether your job qualifies for the visa, what the minimum salary threshold is, and whether your occupation sits on the shortage occupation list. When your employer sponsors you for a Skilled Worker visa, they assign you the SOC code that matches your role.
You can find your SOC code using the government's online occupation search tool, or your employer will confirm it as part of the sponsorship process. If your role spans more than one occupation, your employer will pick the code that best fits the main duties of your job.
Other important Skilled Worker visa requirements
Here are some additional Skilled Worker visa requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must provide a valid passport or other proof of identity.
- You must prove you can support yourself financially (at least £1,270 (US$1,703/€1,469) in personal savings) when you arrive in the UK, unless your employer agrees to cover your initial costs.
- In most cases, your sponsor must pay the Immigration Skills Charge of £1,000 (US$1,344/€1,157) per worker per year, or £364 (US$488/€421) for small businesses and charities.
- You must provide a criminal record certificate if your role (typically in sectors such as education, health, or social care) requires one.
- You must provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if you come from a country where the UK requires testing.
- You may need to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your role involves sensitive research areas, such as nuclear physics, artificial intelligence, or defence-related technologies.
Some applicants can qualify at a lower salary if they earn tradeable points under specific criteria.
UK Skilled Worker visa requirements
UK Skilled Worker visa requirements include earning at least 70 points under the points-based system, securing a job offer, meeting salary thresholds, and proving your English language ability.
Secure a job offer from a UK employer licensed by the Home Office. Then, your employer will assign you a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that confirms your job title, salary, and start date. Your role must appear on the list of eligible occupations and meet the required skill level.
Applicants must meet the minimum salary thresholds, which vary depending on your role, experience, and whether your job appears on the shortage occupation list. Some applicants can qualify at a lower salary if they earn tradeable points under specific criteria. For example, if they have a relevant PhD (particularly in a STEM subject) or are a new entrant to the labour market.
You should also prove your English language ability, typically by passing an approved test or holding a recognised qualification. Most applicants need to demonstrate at least a B1 level of English on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Exceptions include coming from an English-speaking country or holding a degree that was taught in English.
Finally, you must pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
Apply for Skilled Worker visa UK
You can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa (UK) online through the official GOV.UK portal up to three months before your employment start date.
If you apply from outside the UK, you will file an entry clearance application, which takes around three weeks to process. If you are already living in the UK on an eligible visa, you can apply to extend your status or switch to this route, which takes about eight weeks.
First, secure your unique CoS reference number from your employer (keep in mind that the CoS number expires after three months). Next, complete the online forms, upload your passport, provide proof of personal savings, and, if required, provide proof of English proficiency.
The portal will then prompt you to pay the visa fee and the full Immigration Health Surcharge upfront. Finally, verify your identity by scanning your documents via the official UK Immigration ID Check mobile app or by booking a local biometric appointment.
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