UK work visas

Which UK work visa is right for you?

Most people who come to the UK to work do so on one of two kinds of route: a sponsored route, where a licensed UK employer offers you a job, or an unsponsored route, where you qualify on your own merit.

The Skilled Worker Visa is the main sponsored route. It lets skilled international workers take up a job with a licensed UK employer, and after five years of continuous residence it can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain and eventually British citizenship. To use it you need a valid job offer, a Certificate of Sponsorship, a salary that meets the threshold, and English at CEFR level B1 or above.

If you do not have a UK job offer, routes such as the Global Talent Visa and the High Potential Individual Visa let you live and work here on the strength of your record or your degree. We advise on the right fit before you spend a penny on an application.

What changed in 2024 and 2025

From 4 April 2024 the minimum salary for the Skilled Worker route rose to 38,700 pounds a year, or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. The Government's 2025 Immigration White Paper sets out further proposed changes to skill levels, salary lists, shortage provisions and the qualifying period for settlement.

The rules now move quickly, and the details decide the outcome. We keep every application aligned with the current position and flag anything on the horizon that could affect your plans.