UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026 is your complete guide to the new rules, salary thresholds, B2 English requirement and sponsor companies, designed especially for professionals who want to work in the UK under the updated points‑based system. It is open to people applying from overseas, to applicants switching from another UK visa route, and to those who want to extend an existing Skilled Worker visa.
Contents
- UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026: Overview
- 70‑Point System: Rules and Examples
- Minimum Salary, Going Rate and Hourly Pay
- Visa Costs and IHS Fees in 2026
- Eligible Occupations and SOC Codes
- Jobs Removed from the Skilled Worker Route
- Top UK Companies That Sponsor Skilled Worker Visas
- How to Find Sponsored Jobs (Websites and Strategies)
- Recommended Recruitment Agencies for Visa Sponsorship
- FAQs: Dependants, English Level, Changing Jobs and ILR
In simple terms, you must:
- Have a genuine job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Home Office sponsor licence.
- Be offered a role that meets the required skill level (generally RQF Level 6 or a role on the Temporary Shortage List).
- Meet the minimum salary threshold – in 2026 this is usually at least £41,700 per year or the “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher.
- Prove English language ability at B2 level (the requirement was increased from B1 on 8 January 2026).
- Score at least 70 points under the UK’s points‑based system.
A Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years at a time and is extendable. After 5 continuous years in this category, most workers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as permanent residence.
- Skilled Worker visa: overview
UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026. The 70‑point system explained
The Skilled Worker route is built around a 70‑point system split into mandatory and tradeable points. You must reach 70 points in total, and 50 of these must come from mandatory criteria that cannot be traded.
Mandatory points (50 points – non‑negotiable)
If you do not meet all three of these, the application will be refused:
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Job offer from a licensed UK sponsor (with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship) | 20 |
| Job at RQF Level 6 or above, or on the Temporary Shortage List | 20 |
| English language at B2 level or higher | 10 |
Tradeable points (at least 20 points needed)
The remaining 20 points can be scored in different ways based on salary and qualifications. Typical options include:
- Standard salary threshold: salary at or above £41,700 per year, or the occupation’s going rate if higher – worth 20 points.
- Relevant PhD: a doctorate related to the job can reduce the salary floor slightly and earn additional points.
- STEM PhD: a science, technology, engineering or maths doctorate can give a bigger discount on the salary requirement.
- Immigration Salary List (ISL) role: some shortage occupations benefit from a lower salary threshold, for example around £33,400.
- New entrant status: workers under 26, recent UK graduates or people switching from Student/Graduate routes can qualify on a reduced salary for up to 4 years.
The “going rate” rule
Each eligible occupation has its own “going rate” salary set by the Home Office, based on its SOC code. Your offered salary must meet both:
- the general threshold (usually £41,700), and
- the going rate for your specific SOC code,
with the higher figure taking priority. For example, if the going rate for a senior software engineer is £58,200, an offer of £42,000 would not meet the rules even though it is above £41,700.
Hourly pay check
It is not enough to pass the annual salary test; the hourly rate must also meet the minimum set by the Home Office. If your employer inflates your weekly hours to hit the annual figure, but your hourly rate falls below the required minimum, the application can still be refused.
Visa costs in 2026
Before applying you should budget for all fees and charges.
Typical costs include:
- Visa application fee from outside the UK:
- Up to 3 years: around £769 per person.
- More than 3 years: around £1,519 per person.
- Visa extension from inside the UK:
- Up to 3 years: around £885 per person.
- More than 3 years: around £1,751 per person.
- Discounted application fees for certain Immigration Salary List roles.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per adult per year and £776 per child per year.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): normally paid by the employer.
- Immigration Skills Charge: an annual fee paid by the sponsor, with lower rates for small organisations.
- Maintenance funds: you may need to show at least £1,270 in personal savings unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.
For a single worker on a 5‑year visa, the IHS alone can reach £5,175, so the Skilled Worker route is a significant financial commitment. Health and Care Worker visa applicants are usually exempt from the IHS, which is a major advantage for eligible roles.
Eligible and ineligible occupations
From 22 July 2025, the minimum skill level for new Skilled Worker applicants increased from RQF Level 3–5 to RQF Level 6 (degree level). As a result, many mid‑skill roles are no longer eligible.
Typical roles that remain within the Skilled Worker route include (examples only):
- Technology and engineering: software developers, cyber security specialists, data scientists, IT project managers, AI and machine‑learning specialists, network and systems administrators.
- Health and care: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians and other registered health professionals.
- Finance and law: qualified accountants, auditors, financial analysts, solicitors and barristers.
- Education and research: university lecturers, secondary school teachers in certain subjects, researchers.
- Engineering and science: mechanical, electrical, chemical and civil engineers, as well as some aviation roles.
At the same time, more than 100 occupations have been removed from the Skilled Worker list. Examples include:
- Hospitality and retail: chefs, restaurant and bar managers, hotel managers, bakers and butchers.
- Beauty, sport and lifestyle: hair and beauty managers, fitness and wellness instructors, yoga teachers.
- Administrative and office support: office managers, PAs, customer service managers, many sales supervisor roles.
- Childcare and classroom support: teaching assistants, early‑years staff, nannies and many childcare workers.
- Various construction, craft and social‑care support roles.
Existing workers in these now‑ineligible SOC codes can often extend their visas under transitional rules, but new Skilled Worker applications can no longer be made for those codes.
- Gov web site: Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and SOC codes
Top 30 UK companies for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship
There are more than 40,000 licensed sponsors registered with the Home Office. The companies below are among the most active sponsors under the UK Skilled Worker visa route (examples only, always check the latest Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK).
| # | Company | Sector | Typical sponsored roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NHS (National Health Service) | Public health | Nurses, doctors, IT specialists |
| 2 | Amazon UK | Technology / logistics | Software, AWS, data roles |
| 3 | Google UK | Technology | Software, AI, data science |
| 4 | Microsoft UK | Technology | Cloud, cyber security, AI |
| 5 | HSBC UK | Finance | Risk, technology, finance |
| 6 | Barclays | Finance | Investment banking, fintech |
| 7 | PwC UK | Consulting | Audit, data, AI |
| 8 | Deloitte UK | Consulting | IT transformation, risk, cloud |
| 9 | KPMG UK | Consulting | Analytics, audit |
| 10 | Accenture UK | IT consulting | Digital, cloud |
| 11 | IBM UK | Technology | Data, infrastructure, software |
| 12 | GSK | Pharma / R&D | Medical science, quality |
| 13 | AstraZeneca | Pharma | R&D, data, biopharma |
| 14 | Rolls‑Royce | Aviation / engineering | Aerospace engineering |
| 15 | Unilever UK | Consumer goods | R&D, data, supply chain |
| 16 | Goldman Sachs | Investment banking | Fintech, engineering |
| 17 | JP Morgan | Finance | Software, finance |
| 18 | Morgan Stanley | Finance | Risk, technology |
| 19 | Deutsche Bank | Finance | IT, analytics |
| 20 | Lloyds Bank | Finance | Technology, data |
| 21 | BT Group | Telecommunications | Cyber security, AI, IT |
| 22 | Tesco | Retail | Technology, logistics, data |
| 23 | Sainsbury’s | Retail | IT, finance, supply chain |
| 24 | Boots | Retail / health | Pharmacy, IT |
| 25 | BP | Energy | Engineering, data |
| 26 | Shell UK | Energy | Engineering, technology |
| 27 | Siemens UK | Engineering | Automation, software |
| 28 | Jaguar Land Rover | Automotive | Engineering, design |
| 29 | BAE Systems | Defence | Cyber security, engineering |
| 30 | National Grid | Energy infrastructure | Engineering, project management |
How to find sponsored jobs
1. Use the official Register of Licensed Sponsors
The Home Office publishes the Register of Licensed Sponsors (Workers) every month. You can download it for free from GOV.UK, then filter in Excel by sector or city, and finally check each company’s careers page for open roles that match your profile.
Official list:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
2. Search job platforms with “visa sponsorship”
On general job platforms, always add keywords like “visa sponsorship” or “Skilled Worker visa” next to your job title when searching. For example: software engineer visa sponsorship or nurse skilled worker visa. This helps you see only vacancies where the employer is willing to sponsor.
3. Find a Job (GOV.UK) vs Indeed vs Reed
Different platforms work in different ways for candidates who need sponsorship.
| Feature | Find a Job (GOV.UK) | Indeed UK | Reed.co.uk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | UK Government / DWP | Private company | Private company |
| Reliability | Very high – listings are closely monitored | Medium – not every advert is verified | High – established platform |
| Sponsorship filter | No direct filter (manual search needed) | Use “visa sponsorship” keyword | Dedicated “Visa Sponsorship Available” filter |
| Number of listings | Fewer but more reliable | Very large, some outdated | Large database |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free |
| Main sectors | Public sector, NHS, local government | All sectors | All sectors |
Practical tip: Find a Job minimises fake or low‑quality adverts, while Reed’s “Visa Sponsorship Available” filter is very time‑efficient. When using Indeed, always double‑check the employer in the official sponsor list on GOV.UK to confirm they are a genuine licensed sponsor.
Recommended recruitment agencies
These UK recruitment agencies regularly work with international candidates and have experience placing people into sponsored roles:
- Hays Recruitment – health, IT and engineering roles
- Michael Page – finance, accounting and management
- Randstad UK – construction, engineering and technical jobs
- Robert Half – IT and finance professionals
- PageGroup – multi‑sector, mid‑ to senior‑level positions
- Reed Specialist Recruitment – education, health, IT
- Manpower UK – broad sector coverage
- Adecco UK – engineering, logistics
- Spencer Clarke Group – education and social care
- Willing Recruitment – health and care sector
UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026: Frequently asked questions
Can my partner and children come with me? UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026
Yes. Skilled Worker visa holders can bring a partner and children under 18 as dependants, each with their own visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. The partner normally has the right to work in the UK.
Can bonuses or overtime count towards my salary requirement? UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026
No. Only your guaranteed basic salary counts towards the general threshold and the going‑rate calculation; bonuses, overtime and location allowances are excluded.
Who qualifies as a “new entrant”? UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026
Generally, applicants under 26, recent UK graduates or people switching from Student or Graduate visas may be treated as new entrants and benefit from lower salary thresholds for up to 4 years.
Can I get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years? UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026
In most cases, yes. Five continuous years as a Skilled Worker can lead to ILR if you meet salary, absence and other eligibility rules. Some other routes, such as Global Talent, can qualify for settlement more quickly.
What happens if my sponsor lets me go? UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026
If your sponsor ends your employment, the Home Office usually shortens your visa and gives you a limited period (often around 60 days) to find a new sponsor or switch to a different route. If you do nothing, you risk becoming overstayer.
If you want, I can now produce a shorter, more marketing‑style version of this section for a separate landing page that targets “UK companies that sponsor Skilled Worker visas 2026”.
UK Skilled Worker Visa 2026: GOV.UK links
- Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-going-rates-for-eligible-occupations - Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs (fees and IHS)
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs - Register of licensed sponsors: workers
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers
Recommended
- Benefits of UK visa for healthcare professionals in 2026
- UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements (2026 Guide) – METIN.LONDON
- UK Global Talent Visa Requirements (2026 Guide) – METIN.LONDON
- UK Dependent Visa New Rules (2026 Guide) – METIN.LONDON
- Regulated to provide immigration advice services by the Immigration Advice Authority
- . Ref No. F202000206
