Skilled Worker & Work Visa Solicitors
Working in the UK from outside the EEA requires a sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship, and a visa that meets strict salary and eligibility tests.
The Skilled Worker route replaced Tier 2 (General) and is now the main route for employed workers coming to the UK. Both the employer and the worker must meet specific requirements — and errors on either side lead to refusals and potential loss of licence for the employer. A specialist solicitor advises individuals and businesses at every stage of the process.
Key Requirements
Skilled Worker visa — what workers and employers need to know.
Both the employer (sponsor) and the applicant must meet distinct but interrelated requirements. A problem on either side affects the whole application.
Sponsor licence — employer obligation
To sponsor a worker from outside the UK and Ireland, an employer must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. Obtaining the licence requires demonstrating that the business is genuine, has the HR systems to meet compliance obligations, and that the role genuinely exists. Licence holders have ongoing compliance duties — failure to maintain them can lead to licence downgrade, suspension, or revocation, affecting all sponsored workers.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Before a Skilled Worker application can be made, the employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship — a reference number assigned to the specific job offer. The CoS records the SOC code, salary, and job details, and must be accurate. Errors on the CoS lead to refusals. An employer must have sufficient CoS allocation on their licence before issuing. A solicitor can advise employers on CoS allocation and workers on what the CoS should contain.
Salary thresholds and going rates
The applicant must be paid at least the general threshold (£38,700 per year from April 2024) or the going rate for the specific occupation — whichever is higher. The going rate is set per SOC code and is published by the Home Office. Some shortage occupations and certain healthcare roles carry different thresholds. A solicitor will confirm the applicable threshold for the role and advise on whether the offered salary meets it.
Eligible occupations (SOC codes)
The Skilled Worker route is restricted to occupations at or above RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) as defined by the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. Not every job role is eligible. A solicitor will confirm whether the proposed role falls within an eligible SOC code and whether the job description adequately matches the duties listed under that code — a common source of refusals.
English language requirement
Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English at level B1 or above on the Common European Framework. This can be satisfied through an approved English language test, a degree taught in English, or nationality from a majority-English-speaking country. Exemptions and alternative routes are available in some circumstances. A solicitor will confirm the correct route and avoid unnecessary test requirements where an exemption applies.
Switching and extending within the route
Workers already in the UK on other visa categories — such as Student, Graduate, or Skilled Worker with a different employer — can switch to the Skilled Worker route without leaving the country, provided conditions are met. In-country extensions and employer changes also require a new CoS and a new application. A solicitor advises on the correct process and timing to avoid any gap in permission to work.