The Skilled Worker visa provides UK employers with a route to recruit talented professionals from around the world. As a sponsorship visa, it allows businesses to address skill shortages by hiring overseas workers, ensuring they have the expertise needed to remain competitive.
In this guide, we set out the key steps and factors when hiring under the UK's Skilled Worker visa.
To hire workers through the Skilled Worker route, employers must first apply for a sponsorship licence. This licence grants businesses the authority to sponsor foreign workers and is a prerequisite for issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Without a valid CoS, an applicant cannot proceed with their visa application.
The CoS is a unique reference code issued by the sponsor to the applicant. It is used to confirm to the Home Office that the applicant meets the visa requirements, as set out under the UK Immigration Rules and supporting appendices, including Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations. These rules operate within the framework of the Immigration Act 1971 and the UK’s points-based immigration system.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, the applicant must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required skill level, demonstrate English language proficiency, and earn the relevant skilled worker salary threshold applicable to that applicant and their role.
For most applicants and roles, the minimum salary requirement is £38,700 per year, though exceptions exist for certain categories, including jobs listed on the Immigration salary list and applicants under the age of 26. Employers must also consider the going rate for the specific occupation, which is the standard salary level as outlined in Skilled Worker guidance. If the going rate for a particular role is higher than the standard salary threshold, the employer must offer at least the going rate.
Healthcare roles are covered under a separate but related pathway known as the Health and Care visa. This route is specifically designed for eligible medical and healthcare professionals who have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in designated health and social care roles. The Health and Care visa offers several advantages, including a faster application process, reduced visa fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
In terms of sponsorship costs, the main costs of sponsoring a Skilled Worker include the sponsorship licence fee, which is £536 for small businesses and charities or £1,476 for larger businesses. Employers must also pay the Immigration Skills Charge, set at £1,000 per year per worker (£364 for small businesses and charities). There is also a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee of £239 when assigning a CoS to a skilled worker. Skilled Worker visa applicants also face visa fees ranging from £610 to £1,500, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge per year of leave. Strict rules apply as to which costs cannot be recouped or clawed back from the sponsored worker.
Finally employers will need to ensure ongoing compliance with the Skilled Worker visa a sponsor licence regulations. This includes using the Sponsorship Management System appropriately, maintaining accurate records of all sponsored employees and report any significant changes in employment circumstances, such as employment contract termination or job role changes. Failing to adhere to these obligations could result in financial penalties or even the revocation of the sponsorship licence, which would prevent the business from hiring internationally in the future.
Beyond the traditional employer-sponsored route, the Skilled Worker visa also presents an opportunity for self-sponsorship, allowing individuals to establish or work for their own UK-based business while meeting all the visa requirements. The self sponsorship visa option is particularly appealing to entrepreneurs and professionals seeking greater flexibility and autonomy over their work and immigration status.
Need Assistance?
DavidsonMorris offers a complete employer sponsorship licence and visa application and management service. For guidance on applying for a sponsor licence, hiring under the Skilled Worker route, or any other aspect of licence compliance, management or penalties, contact us.