Skilled Worker Visa: How to Qualify, Apply, and Live in the UK

When you're moving to the UK for a job, the Skilled Worker Visa, a points-based work visa that lets qualified foreign workers take up eligible jobs in the UK. Also known as the Tier 2 (General) Visa, it's the main route for professionals with a job offer from a licensed UK employer. This isn't a tourist pass or a student permit—it's a full work permit that lets you live, work, and build a life in the UK for up to five years, with a path to settlement.

The sponsorship, the requirement that a UK-based employer holds a valid license to hire foreign workers is the biggest hurdle. You can't apply on your own—you need a company to offer you a job and confirm they're willing to sponsor you. The job must be on the official list of eligible occupations, which includes roles like nurses, engineers, software developers, teachers, and chefs. It's not about how much money you have or how good your CV looks—it's about whether your specific job meets the UK government's skill and salary thresholds.

Salary requirements, the minimum pay threshold tied to your occupation and experience level are strict. For most roles, you need to earn at least £38,700 a year, or the going rate for that job, whichever is higher. Some roles, like nurses and teachers, have lower thresholds. You also need to prove you can speak English at B1 level, usually by passing a test or holding a degree taught in English. And yes, you’ll pay fees—application, healthcare surcharge, and sometimes biometrics—but these are predictable and listed on the official UK government site.

People often think this visa is only for tech workers or doctors. But it’s also used by electricians, plumbers, architects, and even professional athletes. The key is the job being on the list and the employer being licensed. If you're applying from outside the UK, you'll need to wait for your visa to be approved before you can start working. If you're already in the UK on a different visa, you might be able to switch—but only if your current visa allows it.

Once you have it, the Skilled Worker Visa lets you bring your partner and children, access the NHS, and change employers as long as your new job meets the same rules. After five years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain—your ticket to permanent residency. But you can't just stay forever without meeting the requirements. You need to keep working in a qualifying job, pay your taxes, and avoid serious criminal convictions.

The posts below cover real-life situations tied to this visa: how to handle tax as a new resident, what it’s like to live in London on a skilled worker salary, how to exchange your foreign driver’s license after arriving, and even how to find a job that qualifies you for sponsorship. Whether you’re planning your move, already here, or just curious about the process, these guides give you the practical details no official website will spell out.