Key Points
- The UK operates a points-based immigration system under which most work visas require an applicant to score at least 70 points by satisfying specific criteria, including a job offer from a licensed sponsor, the correct skill level, and an English language requirement.
- The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for overseas nationals seeking employment in the UK. From 22 July 2025, roles must generally be at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above, and the minimum salary threshold is £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.
- Eligibility depends on which visa route applies to your circumstances. The Skilled Worker route, the Health and Care Worker route, the Global Talent route, and the Senior or Specialist Worker route each have different requirements.
- A Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code determines whether a role is eligible for sponsorship. Assigning the wrong SOC code is a frequent reason for visa refusal and can be avoided by checking the list of eligible occupations before assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Eligibility can be assessed before applying using the gov.uk points calculator, the list of eligible occupations in Appendix Skilled Occupations, and advice from an immigration solicitor where the position is borderline.
A common mistake I often see my clients make is relying on quick internet searches to check their eligibility for a UK work visa. They often end up choosing the wrong visa route for their situation, seeking jobs that are not on an approved occupation list, or targeting an employer that does not hold a sponsor licence. Speaking to a Business Immigration Law Solicitor early on can save a lot of wasted time, money, and frustration.
Table of Contents
The Points Table
The mandatory 50 points break down as follows: 20 points for a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor; 20 points for a role at the required skill level; and 10 points for English language ability at the required level. These three criteria must all be met. No points can be traded against them. From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement for new Skilled Worker applications was raised from CEFR level B1 to level B2, a change made by amending paragraph SW 7.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker.
The remaining 20 tradeable points can be scored in several ways: meeting the standard salary threshold of £41,700 or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher; holding a relevant PhD, which reduces the salary requirement; or working in a role on the Immigration Salary List, which permits a lower salary of £33,400 in some cases. New entrant rates also apply to applicants under 26 or within two years of completing a PhD, reducing the salary floor further. Our guide to Skilled Worker visa salary thresholds sets out the current figures in full.
Recent Changes Affecting Eligibility
The July 2025 Skill Level Change
The most consequential change to Skilled Worker visa eligibility in recent years is the raising of the minimum skill level from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 for applications made on or after 22 July 2025. Approximately 111 occupations lost eligibility as a result, including hotel managers, health care practice managers, and veterinary nurses. Those roles no longer appear in the main tables of Appendix Skilled Occupations and cannot be sponsored under a standard Skilled Worker application.
Two lists preserve eligibility for selected roles below RQF Level 6: the Temporary Shortage List, reviewed by the Migration Advisory Committee, and the Immigration Salary List. Whether a specific occupation appears on either list must be checked at the date of application, as both are updated without notice. Certificates of Sponsorship issued before 22 July 2025 are unaffected; transitional provisions allow applications on older CoS references to be decided under the pre-July 2025 rules.
The January 2026 English Language Change
From 8 January 2026, all new Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English ability at CEFR level B2. B2 corresponds to the upper-intermediate level: the ability to understand complex text on abstract and concrete topics, communicate spontaneously with native speakers, and produce clear and detailed written communication across a range of subjects. Applicants extending an existing Skilled Worker permission in the same role, where that permission was originally granted under the B1 standard, may continue to rely on the lower level for that extension only.
How to check your eligibility
Identify the Correct Route
Before assessing points, you must identify which visa route applies. The Skilled Worker route covers most professional and technical employment. The Health and Care Worker route applies to doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and certain adult social care roles; it mirrors the Skilled Worker route but carries lower visa fees and salary thresholds tied to NHS pay bands. The Global Talent route is available to recognised or emerging leaders in academia, the arts, and digital technology: it requires endorsement from a designated body rather than a sponsor or job offer, and it does not use the points framework. Advice on the Health and Care Worker route is available on our healthcare professionals visa page.
The Senior or Specialist Worker route, part of the Global Business Mobility category, applies to existing employees of a multinational being transferred to a UK branch. It requires a minimum salary of £52,500, at least 12 months’ prior employment with the sponsoring group, and a role at RQF Level 6 or above, unless the offered salary exceeds £73,900.
Confirm the SOC Code
Each eligible occupation in the Skilled Worker route is assigned a Standard Occupational Classification code from the SOC 2020 system. That code determines whether the role is eligible at all, what the going rate salary requirement is, and whether any reduction under the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List applies. A mismatch between the code assigned by the sponsor and the duties actually performed by the applicant is a frequent ground for refusal. Home Office caseworkers check the code against the job description and are instructed to refuse where the duties do not correspond to the assigned code.
The list of eligible occupations is published in Appendix Skilled Occupations on gov.uk. Each entry carries the SOC code, the going rate, and whether the role appears on the Immigration Salary List. Confirming the correct entry before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned avoids both refusals and wasted fees. Where the sponsor and applicant disagree on the appropriate code, professional advice at that stage costs considerably less than challenging a refusal later.
Verify the Salary
Salary calculations for visa purposes use only guaranteed basic pay. Over time, bonuses and allowances that are not contractually guaranteed do not count. For most new Skilled Worker applications from 22 July 2025, the salary must be at least £41,700 per year and at least the going rate for the SOC code, calculated on a 37.5-hour week with a minimum hourly floor of £17.13 for a maximum 48-hour week. Healthcare and education roles have separate structures based on national pay scales and must be assessed against the specific occupation code entry rather than the general threshold.
Confirm Sponsor Licence Status
An applicant can score the mandatory 20 sponsorship points only if their employer holds a current, valid sponsor licence for the Workers category. The Register of Licensed Sponsors is publicly available on gov.uk and updated weekly. Before accepting a job offer based on visa sponsorship, an applicant should confirm that the employer appears on the register under the correct licence category. A licence suspended or revoked after the Certificate of Sponsorship was issued will invalidate that CoS, and the visa application will fail.
Use the Gov.uk Points Calculator
The Home Office provides a points calculator on gov.uk that allows applicants to work through the mandatory and tradeable criteria before submitting an application. The calculator is not a formal eligibility determination, and it does not assess whether the proposed SOC code is correct or whether the sponsor’s licence covers the right category. Where the position is borderline, particularly on salary or skill level, taking legal advice before the Certificate of Sponsorship is issued is more cost-effective than challenging a refusal after the fact. Our visa eligibility checker provides a starting point for that assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer first?
For most UK work visa routes, yes. The Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and Senior or Specialist Worker routes all require a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer before an application can be submitted. The Global Talent visa is the principal exception: it does not require a job offer and assesses the applicant’s record of achievement and potential against criteria set by the relevant endorsing body.
Is my RQF Level 5 role eligible?
Potentially, provided the role appears on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. From 22 July 2025, roles below RQF Level 6 are not eligible under the standard Skilled Worker tables. Both lists are subject to revision by the Home Office and must be checked at the point of application rather than when the job offer is accepted.
What English language evidence is needed for a Skilled Worker Visa?
Acceptable evidence at B2 level includes passing an approved Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI, OET, or PTE Academic; holding a GCSE or A level in English obtained in the UK; or holding a degree-level qualification taught in English in a majority English-speaking country. Applicants extending an existing permission in the same role where that permission was originally granted under the B1 standard may continue to rely on B1 evidence for that extension.
What if my sponsor loses their licence?
If a sponsor licence is revoked after a Certificate of Sponsorship is issued but before a visa decision is made, the application will normally be refused because the mandatory sponsorship points cannot be awarded. Where the licence is revoked after a visa is granted, the visa holder receives a curtailment notice and must either find a new licensed sponsor or leave the UK within 60 days. Checking the Register of Licensed Sponsors before accepting a job offer substantially reduces this risk.
Can I switch routes from inside the UK?
Yes, provided the applicant holds valid leave in a category that permits switching. Most common work and student visa categories allow an in-country application to switch to the Skilled Worker route. Visitors cannot switch; they must leave the UK and apply for entry clearance. Overstayers cannot switch unless the overstaying period falls within the narrow exceptions set out in the Part Suitability provisions of the Immigration Rules, which were updated by the July 2025 rule changes.
Dr Bernard Andonian is the Co-Founder of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors and a leading authority in UK immigration, human rights, family and civil litigation law. With over 40 years of experience, he brings a wealth of legal knowledge and courtroom expertise. A former Judge and a recipient of a PhD in Law from the University of West London, Dr Andonian has served on the Law Society’s Immigration Law Panel, where he played a key role in shaping national legal standards. His name is featured in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, recognising his consistent excellence and influence in the field. Known for his practical approach and deep understanding of immigration law, he is frequently consulted for commentary on policy changes and legal reform.