Whether you're an individual with a UK job offer or an employer wanting to hire from overseas, the Skilled Worker route is the main gateway into the UK's points-based immigration system — and there are moving parts on both sides that need to line up correctly.
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How the points-based system works
The Skilled Worker route awards points across several categories, with a minimum total required for a successful application. A valid job offer from an approved sponsor, at the required skill level and meeting minimum salary rules, forms the "core" mandatory points, alongside additional points available for specific factors such as a shortage occupation, a relevant PhD, or a lower salary offset by other tradeable characteristics.
Sponsor licences for employers
Before any Skilled Worker visa applicant can be sponsored, the employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office. Obtaining a licence involves an application process, compliance checks, and ongoing duties once granted — including reporting obligations (such as notifying the Home Office if a sponsored worker stops attending work) and keeping accurate records. Failing to meet these duties can lead to a licence being suspended or revoked, which can seriously affect existing sponsored workers.
If your organisation doesn't already hold a sponsor licence, factor in the time needed to apply for and obtain one before you can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to any candidate — this is a separate process from the visa application itself and can take longer than expected.
The Certificate of Sponsorship
Once a licensed employer has a role to fill, it issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — not a physical certificate, but a unique electronic reference recording the job details, salary, and the sponsored worker's information. The applicant then uses this reference as part of their visa application. The CoS must accurately reflect the actual role and salary being offered, since discrepancies can cause delays or refusal.
Salary and skill requirements
Sponsored roles must meet both a minimum skill level threshold and a minimum salary requirement, which is the higher of a general going rate and an occupation-specific going rate for the role in question. Certain roles on a shortage list, or held by new entrants to the labour market, may benefit from reduced salary thresholds. These figures are reviewed and updated periodically, so it's important to check the current thresholds at the time of application rather than relying on older figures.
Dependants and settlement
Skilled Worker visa holders can generally bring a partner and dependent children as part of their application, subject to relationship and, in some cases, financial evidence requirements similar to those on other family routes. After a qualifying period of continuous residence on the route (and provided ongoing requirements continue to be met), Skilled Worker visa holders can typically apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.