Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa Through Certified Agencies"
🛂 Eligibility & Application Overview
A Skilled Worker visa lets you live and work in the UK if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor. You must:
Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer .
Offer must be for a role on the eligible occupations list with at least RQF Level 3 skill and meet the minimum salary requirement (£38,700 standard or “going rate”) .
Meet the English language requirement .
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📄 Documents Needed
Required for all applicants :
Passport / identity document
CoS reference number
Job details: title, annual salary, occupation code
Employer’s sponsor licence number
English language proof
TB test certificate (if from a listed country)
Bank statements showing at least £1,270 savings (if employer doesn't certify maintenance)
Criminal record certificate (for certain roles)
ATAS certificate (for relevant skilled PhD research)
Educational documents / Ecctis reference
Certified translations (if necessary)
For dependants (partner/children): marriage/civil partnership and birth certificates .
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💷 Fees & Financial Requirements
Application fees – main applicant + dependants :
Outside UK, up to 3 years: £769
Outside UK, more than 3 years: £1,519
Inside UK (extend/switch), up to 3 years: £885
Inside UK, over 3 years: £1,751
Lower fees (if job on immigration salary list): £590–£1,160
Health & Care visa (public-sector roles): £304–£590
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
Standard: £1,035/year (approx.) .
Reduced for health & care roles (approx. £624/year) .
Other costs:
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): paid by employer, cannot be passed to you .
Maintenance funds: £1,270 (unless employer pays) .
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⏳ Processing Times
Outside UK: ~3 weeks
Inside UK (extension/switch): ~8 weeks .
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📰 Industry Context & Fee Changes
Visa fees increased by ~5–10% from April 2025 – e.g., Skilled Worker fee rose accordingly .
250%+ jump in certificate of sponsorship charges for employers in April 2025 (from £25 → £525 for skilled roles) .
Higher overall costs (through IHS and other charges) are slowing recruitment, especially in STEM and health sectors .
A new immigration White Paper proposes higher qualification requirements and a 10‑year path to settlement for many skilled-workers .
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📋 Summary Table
Item What You Need / Pay
CoS From employer
English Proof Test or degree
Maintenance Funds £1,270 (unless exempt)
Application Fee (main applicant) £769–£1,519 depending on role & duration
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) ~£1,035/year (standard)
Criminal Record / TB / ATAS If applicable
Maintenance Proof Bank statements or employer certification
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✅ Tips for Applicants
Always confirm CoS details (title, occupation code, salary) ahead of applying.
Ensure you have bank statements covering 28 consecutive days.
Submit TB test and criminal record checks if from required jurisdictions/fields.
Check whether your role qualifies for lower fees or health & care visa route.
Stay updated—fees and rules are changing as of 2025.