TL;DR — UK Skilled Worker Visa for International Graduates
The Skilled Worker visa is the main long-term work route for international graduates in the UK. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor paying at least £41,700/year (or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher). New entrants (under 26 or recent graduates) qualify for a reduced threshold of £33,400. You can switch from a Graduate Route visa without leaving the UK. After 5 continuous years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa and is the primary route for international graduates who want to stay and work in the UK long-term. Unlike the Graduate Route visa (which is unsponsored and time-limited), the Skilled Worker visa requires employer sponsorship but offers a pathway to permanent settlement.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Employer-sponsored work visa |
| Duration | Up to 5 years (extendable, no maximum) |
| General salary threshold | £41,700/year (from 22 July 2025) |
| New entrant minimum | £33,400/year |
| Skill level required | RQF Level 6 (graduate level) from July 2025 |
| English requirement | CEFR B2 (from 8 January 2026) |
| Settlement pathway | ILR after 5 continuous years |
| Can switch from Graduate Route? | Yes, from inside the UK |
Source: gov.uk — Skilled Worker visa pages.
The salary system for Skilled Worker visas works on a dual-threshold basis. You must be paid the higher of either the general salary threshold or the going rate for your specific occupation.
General salary threshold: £41,700 per year (raised from £38,700 on 22 July 2025). This is the baseline — if your occupation’s going rate is lower than this, you still need to earn at least £41,700.
Going rates: Each eligible occupation has a 4-digit SOC 2020 code with a published going rate. For example, software engineers, nurses, and civil engineers each have different going rates. Some occupations have going rates well above £41,700, meaning the general threshold is irrelevant. You can check the full table on gov.uk.
Absolute minimum floor: No Skilled Worker visa can be granted for a salary below £25,000 per year (raised from £23,200 on 9 April 2025), regardless of any discounts that might otherwise apply.
Recent graduates typically qualify as “new entrants,” which gives a significant salary discount. This is particularly important because many graduate-level jobs start below the full £41,700 threshold.
| Qualify As New Entrant If | Detail |
|---|---|
| Under 26 years old | At time of application |
| Recent graduate | Switching from Student or Graduate Route visa |
| Professional training | In a recognised UK professional body training programme |
| Postdoctoral STEM | Hold a relevant PhD in a STEM subject |
New entrant salary rules: You pay 70–90% of the going rate (depending on occupation), with a minimum of £33,400 per year. The new entrant rate applies for a maximum of 4 years — after that, you must meet the full going rate.
Why this matters for graduates: A role with a going rate of £45,000 would require only ~£31,500–£40,500 under the new entrant discount (but never below the £33,400 minimum). This makes many graduate-level positions accessible that would otherwise fall short of the full threshold.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you need to meet all of the following requirements:
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and issue you a CoS — an electronic record (not a physical document) containing your job details, salary, and SOC code. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of the CoS being assigned.
Eligible occupation: Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above. From 22 July 2025, the skill level requirement was raised from RQF Level 3 to Level 6, except for occupations on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
English language (CEFR B2): From 8 January 2026, you must prove English at CEFR B2 level (raised from B1). You can prove this through an approved SELT test (such as IELTS for UKVI), a degree taught in English, or nationality from a majority English-speaking country. If you studied your degree in the UK, you may already meet this requirement.
Maintenance funds: You must show £1,270 held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying. This requirement is waived if your employer is an A-rated sponsor and certifies they will maintain you.
Criminal record certificate: Required if you are working in certain roles (education, healthcare, social care with children or vulnerable adults).
| Fee | Amount | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application (up to 3 years, outside UK) | £819 | Applicant |
| Visa application (over 3 years, outside UK) | £1,618 | Applicant |
| Switch/extend (up to 3 years, inside UK) | £943 | Applicant |
| Switch/extend (over 3 years, inside UK) | £1,865 | Applicant |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035/year of visa | Applicant |
| Immigration Skills Charge (large employer) | £1,000/year | Employer |
| Immigration Skills Charge (small/charity) | £364/year | Employer |
Source: gov.uk — Skilled Worker visa fees. ISL occupation applicants pay reduced visa fees (£628 / £1,235).
Example total cost for a 3-year visa (switching from inside UK): £943 (visa fee) + £3,105 (IHS for 3 years) = £4,048 paid by the applicant. Your employer pays an additional £3,000 (Immigration Skills Charge for 3 years, large employer) or £1,092 (small employer). Some employers voluntarily cover part or all of the applicant’s costs as part of the job offer.
The old Shortage Occupation List (SOL) has been replaced by two new lists:
Immigration Salary List (ISL): Occupations on this list receive a 20% salary discount (you pay 80% of the going rate) and lower visa application fees. The ISL includes select healthcare, engineering, and specialist roles where the UK has identified genuine long-term shortages.
Temporary Shortage List (TSL): An interim list for occupations with short-term shortages. TSL occupations do not receive a salary discount but are exempt from the RQF Level 6 skill requirement. The TSL is valid for Certificates of Sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026.
Key ISL occupations (examples): registered nurses, biological scientists, some engineering roles, veterinary surgeons, and select medical practitioners. Always check the current list on gov.uk, as occupations are added and removed regularly.
The Graduate Route visa gives you two years (three for PhD graduates) of unsponsored work in the UK. During this time, finding a sponsored role and switching to a Skilled Worker visa is the primary pathway to long-term settlement.
How to switch: You can apply to switch from inside the UK — you do not need to leave and re-enter. Apply through the gov.uk online portal while your Graduate Route visa is still valid. You can continue working while your application is being processed.
Important: Time spent on the Graduate Route visa does NOT count toward the 5-year requirement for settlement (ILR). Your 5-year clock only starts when your Skilled Worker visa is granted. This means starting your Skilled Worker visa as early as possible is advantageous if settlement is your goal.
Timing strategy: Many graduates use the first few months of their Graduate Route visa to job-search and gain experience, then switch to Skilled Worker as soon as they secure a sponsored position. You do not need to wait until the Graduate Route visa is about to expire.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK equivalent of permanent residency. After 5 continuous years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for ILR.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Continuous residence | 5 years on Skilled Worker visa (Graduate Route time excluded) |
| Salary at ILR stage | At least £35,800/year or the going rate (whichever is higher) |
| Life in the UK Test | Must pass (ages 18–64) |
| English language | No need to re-prove at ILR stage |
| Application timing | Earliest 28 days before completing 5 years |
| Absences | No more than 180 days outside UK in any 12-month period |
| ILR fee | £2,885 |
Source: gov.uk — Indefinite Leave to Remain (Skilled Worker).
After ILR: Once you have ILR, you can work for any employer without sponsorship, access public funds, and apply for British citizenship after 12 months (if you meet the residence requirement). ILR has no expiry date but can be lost if you spend more than 2 continuous years outside the UK.
If you are job-searching and an employer is unfamiliar with sponsorship, here is what they need to understand:
Sponsor licence: The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence from UK Visas and Immigration. The licence costs £536 for small businesses (50 or fewer employees) or £1,476 for larger organisations. Processing takes approximately 8 weeks (priority service available for an additional £500).
Immigration Skills Charge: Employers pay £1,000 per year (large) or £364 per year (small/charity) for each sponsored worker. This is paid upfront for the entire visa duration and cannot be passed on to the employee.
Compliance duties: Sponsors must keep records, report changes (such as the employee leaving), and cooperate with Home Office compliance visits. Many employers are already licensed — you can check the public register of licensed sponsors on gov.uk.
Genuine vacancy: The role must be a genuine vacancy that meets the skill level and salary requirements. The employer must not have created the role solely for immigration purposes.
Start job-searching early: Do not wait until your Graduate Route visa is about to expire. Begin looking for sponsored roles within the first few months. Use the gov.uk register of licensed sponsors to identify employers who already hold a licence — approaching these employers is more productive than asking an unlicensed employer to apply for one.
Target sectors with sponsorship culture: Healthcare (NHS trusts), IT and technology, engineering, finance, and education are sectors where sponsorship is common. Smaller companies and startups may be willing to sponsor but often do not have a licence — raising the topic early in the interview process saves time for both sides.
Prepare for the B2 English requirement: From January 2026, you need CEFR B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5–6.5). If you completed your degree in the UK, this is usually met automatically. If not, take the IELTS for UKVI or another approved SELT test before your Graduate Route visa expires.
Negotiate sponsorship costs: Some employers cover the visa application fee and IHS as part of the job offer. This is increasingly common in competitive sectors. Do not be afraid to ask — for the employer, the cost of sponsorship (£3,000–£5,000 per year including ISC) is modest compared to recruitment costs.
Plan your ILR timeline: Your 5-year clock starts from the date your Skilled Worker visa is granted, not from when you arrived in the UK. If you switch from Graduate Route in your first year, you could be eligible for ILR approximately 6 years after arriving. If you wait until the end of your Graduate Route, it could be 7+ years.
Consider salary growth: You need to earn at least £35,800 (or the going rate) at the ILR stage. If your starting salary as a new entrant is £33,400, you will need salary increases over the 5 years. Discuss career progression during your job negotiations.
Planning your post-study career in the UK?
TheNextGlobal can help you understand your visa options, identify sponsoring employers, and plan your pathway from graduation to settlement. Book a free consultation to map out your UK career strategy.
The general salary threshold is £41,700 per year (from 22 July 2025). However, new entrants such as recent graduates can qualify with a reduced minimum of £33,400. You must also meet the going rate for your specific occupation, whichever is higher. The absolute minimum floor is £25,000 regardless of any discounts.
Yes. You can switch from a Graduate Route visa to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK without leaving and re-entering. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor who provides you with a Certificate of Sponsorship. Apply while your Graduate Route visa is still valid. Time on the Graduate Route does not count toward the 5-year ILR requirement.
For a 3-year switch from inside the UK: approximately £943 (visa fee) plus £3,105 (Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035/year for 3 years) = £4,048 total for the applicant. Your employer separately pays the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000–£3,000 depending on company size and visa duration). Some employers cover part of the applicant costs.
You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years on a Skilled Worker visa. Time on a Graduate Route or Student visa does not count. You must also pass the Life in the UK Test, earn at least £35,800 per year (or the going rate), and not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
From 8 January 2026, you need CEFR B2 level English (raised from B1). This can be proved through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI, or through a degree taught or researched in English. If you completed a UK degree, you typically meet this requirement automatically.
Check the Register of Licensed Sponsors published on gov.uk — this is a searchable list of all employers authorised to sponsor Skilled Worker visas. Focus your job search on these companies. Sectors with high sponsorship rates include healthcare (NHS), technology, engineering, finance, and education. You can also filter job listings on platforms like LinkedIn for roles that mention visa sponsorship.
Sources: gov.uk — Skilled Worker visa (eligibility, salary thresholds, fees, going rates, new entrant rules, switching, settlement) · gov.uk — Immigration Health Surcharge · gov.uk — Immigration Skills Charge · gov.uk — Register of Licensed Sponsors · gov.uk — Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List.
Originally published July 2026. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
