How to hire overseas talent under the Skilled Worker Visa

This guide outlines the essential steps and considerations for employers looking to hire under the UK Skilled Worker visa.

hiring under the uk skilled worker visa route

The Skilled Worker visa offers UK employers a structured pathway to recruit skilled professionals from overseas. This sponsorship visa enables businesses to address skill shortages by hiring international talent, ensuring they have the expertise required to remain competitive in the global market.

This guide outlines the essential steps and considerations for employers looking to hire under the UK Skilled Worker visa. To recruit workers through this route, employers must first obtain a sponsorship licence, which authorises them to sponsor foreign employees. A  Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)) must then be issued to each sponsored worker, serving as a unique reference code that confirms the job offer and the applicant’s eligibility under the visa rules. Without a valid CoS, the visa application cannot proceed.

The CoS is used to demonstrate to the Home Office that the applicant meets the criteria set out in the UK Immigration Rules, including Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations. These regulations function within the Immigration Act 1971 and the UK’s points-based immigration system.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, an applicant must have a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor at the required skill level. They must also meet the English language proficiency criteria and earn a salary that meets or exceeds the prescribed skilled worker salary threshold applicable to their role and circumstances.

For most applicants and job roles, the minimum salary threshold is £38,700 per year. However, exceptions apply to specific categories, including positions on the  Immigration salary list and applicants under the age of 26. Employers must also ensure they offer at least the going rate for the specific occupation if it is higher than the general salary threshold. The going rate is the standard salary level for a given profession as set out in Skilled Worker visa guidance. If, for example, the going rate for a role is £30,000 per year, employers must offer a salary that meets or exceeds this figure, even if the general threshold is lower.

Certain healthcare roles fall under a separate but related visa category—the Health and Care visa. This route is specifically designed for qualified medical and healthcare professionals with a job offer from a licensed sponsor in designated health and social care roles. The Health and Care visa offers several benefits, including faster processing times, lower visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, making it an attractive option for healthcare professionals looking to work in the UK.

Employers sponsoring a Skilled Worker must also be aware of the associated costs. The sponsorship licence fee is £536 for small businesses and charities, while larger organisations pay £1,476. Additionally, employers must pay the  Immigration Skills Charge, set at £1,000 per year per worker (£364 for small businesses and charities). The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assignment fee is £239 per worker. Skilled Worker visa applicants are responsible for visa fees, which range from £610 to £1,500, along with the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is charged per year of leave. Strict rules apply regarding which costs can or cannot be reclaimed from the sponsored worker.

Ensuring compliance with Skilled Worker visa and sponsorship licence regulations is crucial for employers. This includes proper use of the  Sponsorship Management System (SMS), maintaining accurate records of all sponsored employees, and reporting any significant employment changes, such as employment contract terminations or role modifications. Non-compliance could result in financial penalties or the revocation of the sponsorship licence, preventing the employer from hiring internationally in the future.

Beyond traditional employer sponsorship, the Skilled Worker visa also offers an opportunity for self-sponsorship, allowing individuals to establish or work for their own UK-based business while meeting all visa requirements. This self sponsorship visa pathway is particularly appealing to entrepreneurs and professionals seeking greater flexibility and control over their work and immigration status.


Need Assistance?

DavidsonMorris offers a complete employer sponsorship licence and visa application and management service. For guidance on applying for a sponsor licence, hiring under the Skilled Worker route, or any other aspect of licence compliance, management or penalties, contact us.
 



Looking for something specific?