What are the minimum requirements for a UK work visa?

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I’m a 28-year-old software engineer from India with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, 4 years of professional experience, and a job offer from a tech company in London under the Skilled Worker visa route. What are the minimum requirements I need to meet for a UK work visa, including salary thresholds, English language proficiency, sponsorship details, and any other key eligibility criteria?

Overview of UK Work Visas

The UK operates a points-based immigration system for work visas (formerly Tier 2), with no single “UK work visa.” Eligibility depends on the specific route, such as Skilled Worker (most common for sponsored employment), Health and Care Worker, Global Business Mobility (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker), Scale-up, Innovator Founder, or temporary routes like Creative Worker or Seasonal Worker visa. All require online application via GOV.UK, biometric enrolment, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment (£1,035 per year for most adults from 2024), and visa fees (£719–£1,552 depending on route/length/location of application). Visas are usually granted for up to 5 years, leading to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years on most routes if requirements met.

Minimum requirements vary by route but share common elements: a genuine job/vacancy, no excessive reliance on public funds, good character (no serious criminality), and compliance with UK laws. Applications are from outside (entry clearance) or inside UK (if eligible to switch). Decisions within 3 weeks (standard) or 5 days (priority). Dependants (spouse/partner, children under 18) can join if main applicant meets criteria and proves relationship/funds.

Below are detailed minimum requirements for main routes (based on Home Office rules as of October 2024 updates; always check GOV.UK for latest via Appendix Skilled Occupations/Occupations in Shortage).

1. Skilled Worker Visa (Primary route for medium/long-term skilled jobs; replaced Tier 2 General)

  • Points Requirement: Must score exactly 70 points (no more/less needed):
    | Requirement | Points | Details |
    |————-|——–|———|
    | Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | 20 | Valid CoS from UKVI-licensed sponsor (employer must hold A-rated sponsor licence; CoS valid 3 months, specifies job/ salary/hours). Job must be full-time (min 30–48 hrs/week depending on role). |
    | Appropriate skill level | 20 | Job on eligible list at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3+ (A-level equivalent or higher). SOC 2020 occupation code; excludes most low-skill jobs unless shortage. |
    | English language | 10 | B1 level (CEFR) or above in speaking/listening/reading/writing. Prove via: Secure English Language Test (SELT like IELTS 4.0+, Trinity College London), degree taught in English (UK/national of majority-English country), or prior UK visa with B1+. Under 18 exempt. |
    | Salary | 20 | Annual salary ≥ £38,700 (April 2024 threshold, pro-rated for <1yr) OR 70–90% of ‘going rate’ for occupation (whichever higher). Going rates listed in Table 1 (e.g., £30,960 for nurses). Discounts:
    – New entrants (under 26, recent PhD/graduate, post-study work): 70% threshold (£26,100 min).
    – PhD holders relevant: 80% (£30,960 min).
    – Shortage occupations: 80–90%.
    Guaranteed salary (not basic + allowances); hourly £15.88 min. |
  • Financial Requirement (Maintenance): £1,270 in personal bank account (or joint/sponsor) for 28 consecutive days (max 31 days before application). Waived if sponsor certifies support (CoS field 9 ticked) or prior 12 months UK residence.
  • Other:
    • Age: 18+.
    • TB Test: From high-risk countries (e.g., India, Nigeria; list on GOV.UK; valid 6 months).
    • Criminal Record Certificate: If job involves frequent care for under-18s/vulnerable or £25k+ unsupervised access.
    • ATAS Certificate: For sponsored study/jobs in sensitive STEM fields (e.g., nuclear tech).
    • Genuine Vacancy: Sponsor proves active recruitment/no displacement of UK workers.
    • Immigration History: No continuous 12-month illegal stay.
  • Duration: Up to 5 years; extensions possible if criteria met.
  • Settlement: After 5 years continuous residence (50% time working); £2,885 fee.

2. Health and Care Worker Visa (Subset of Skilled Worker; lower thresholds for NHS/social care)

  • Same as Skilled Worker but:
    • Salary: £29,000 min (70% of £38,700) or going rate (e.g., £25,000 carers).
    • No IHS for dependants until 2025 (pilot ended March 2024; now standard).
    • Doctors/nurses get extra points flexibility.
  • Ideal for care workers, paramedics, dentists (SOC codes 6135/6141/6143 nurses; 6136 carers).

3. Global Business Mobility Visas (For intra-company transfers/service suppliers; no settlement route usually)

  • Senior or Specialist Worker:
    • Employed 12+ months by overseas sponsor branch.
    • Job: Senior (LQF6+) or Specialist (LQF3+).
    • Salary: £73,900 (Senior) or £48,500 (Specialist) min, or going rate.
    • Max 5 years (Specialist) / 9 years (Senior).
  • Expansion Worker: New UK branch; 12 months overseas experience; £48,500 salary; max 2 years switchable.
  • Graduate Trainee: Recent grad route; lower salary £30,960.
  • Service Supplier/Secondment: Temporary trade agreement roles; 12–24 months.
  • Common: CoS, English B1, maintenance funds.

4. Scale-up Visa (High-growth UK firms; for exceptional talent post-start-up)

  • Job offer from Scale-up licensed sponsor growing 20%+ yearly.
  • Salary £34,100+.
  • English A1 (lower bar).
  • Max 2 years; switch to Skilled Worker.

5. High Potential Individual (HPI) / Global Talent / Innovator Founder

  • HPI: Recent top-global uni grad (last 5 years); no job offer; English B1; 2–3 years.
  • Global Talent: Endorsement from body (e.g., Tech Nation for digital); leaders in arts/science; fast-track.
  • Innovator Founder: Innovative business idea endorsed; £50k+ investment; English B2.

6. Temporary/Short-term Work Visas

  • Creative Worker: Arts/entertainment; £32,300 salary; max 2 years (no extension).
  • Government Authorised Exchange: Training schemes (e.g., internships); age 18–35 often; low/no salary threshold.
  • Seasonal Worker: Agri/horticulture; 6 months max; no dependants/settlement.
  • Youth Mobility Scheme: Age 18–30/35 (e.g., Aussies, Canadians); lottery; no sponsor.

General Application Process & Evidence

  1. Get CoS/job offer (sponsor allocates limited slots).
  2. Prove English (test <2 years old).
  3. Gather: Passport (valid 6+ months), BRP if in UK, funds proof (bank statements <31 days old), relationship evidence for dependants.
  4. Apply online (visa4uk.fco.gov.uk); pay fees/IHS.
  5. Attend VAC for biometrics/TB (appointments via TLScontact/VFS).
  6. Decision: Email with vignette (30 days) then BRP card.
  7. Costs: Visa £719 (3yrs overseas), IHS £2,587.50 (3yrs adult), priority £500+.
  8. Appeals: Limited; admin review possible.

Ineligibility Factors

  • Criminality (custodial >12 months / drugs/terrorism).
  • Deception in prior apps.
  • Overstayers (gaps).
  • Prohibited sponsors.

Check eligibility tool on GOV.UK/apply; rules change (e.g., 2024 salary hike, dependant ban for care/social workers from March 2024). Consult OISC advisor/immigration lawyer for cases. Success rate ~90% for complete apps.

Published: November 27, 2025