Skilled Worker visa
A skilled worker visa allows non-UK / Irish nationals to come to or stay in the UK to undertake an eligible job for the University of Surrey.
Overview
The UK Skilled Worker visa allows skilled international professionals to work in the UK for employers who hold a valid sponsorship licence. It is part of the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System and replaced the former Tier 2 (General) visa at the end of 2020. Applicants must score 70 points to qualify. Of these, 50 points come from mandatory criteria: sponsorship, skill level, and English proficiency. The remaining 20 points relate to salary and are tradable, meaning they can be earned in different ways by meeting specific eligibility requirements, such as skill and salary level.
This visa route enables UK employers to recruit non-UK nationals for eligible skilled roles. The visa can be granted for up to five years, after which holders may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), offering a pathway to permanent residence in the UK.
EU nationals who hold Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not need a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK. Those who do not hold either status will require a work visa.
If the Skilled Worker visa is not the right option for your circumstances, there are other work visa routes available. For more information, please visit the UK Work Visas page.
A Skilled Worker is defined as someone employed in an eligible occupation that is classified at RQF Level 6 or above.
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must first have a valid job offer from the University of Surrey. The role must appear on the UK Government’s list of eligible occupations and meet the minimum salary requirements set by the Home Office.
As part of the Skilled Worker visa application process, you must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is issued by the University of Surrey to support your visa application.
Before a CoS can be issued, HR Operations must obtain and review the required documentation to confirm your eligibility for sponsorship. The CoS will only be assigned once this verification process has been completed. For further details on the required documents, please refer to the UK Government guidance.
Sponsorship is typically granted for the duration of your employment contract, and the University can provide initial sponsorship for up to five years. While there is no overall time limit on how long you may remain in the UK under the Skilled Worker route, staff who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence. You can check your eligibility for ILR on the Government's website.
Not all roles qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Eligibility depends on both the required skill level and the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code assigned to the role. To be eligible, the role must meet the required RQF level, and some SOC codes have been designated by the Government as ineligible for sponsorship, even if the salary threshold is met. A full list of ineligible SOC codes is available in Table 6 of the UK Government’s Skilled Occupations guidance.
When assigning a SOC code, the University selects the code that most accurately reflects the job duties, rather than assigning a code for the purpose of sponsorship.
Please note that when submitting an application, an automated message may indicate whether a role appears eligible. However, final eligibility and salary calculations are determined based on the individual’s specific circumstances and Home Office requirements.
From 22 July 2025, the skill threshold for Skilled Worker role eligibility has been raised from RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (graduate level).
Skilled Worker sponsorship for RQF 3–5 roles will still be permitted in the following circumstances:
- Existing visa holders:
Skilled Worker visa holders who were already employed in an RQF 3–5 role before 22 July 2025 may:- Extend their current visa to continue working in the same or a similar role; or
- Apply for a new Skilled Worker visa to take up a new position under the same job code with a different employer or sponsor.
- New applications (Temporary Shortage List & Immigration Salary List):
A new Skilled Worker application may be submitted for an RQF 3–5 role only if that job code appears on the new Temporary Shortage List and Immigration Salary List.- Applicants under Temporary Shortage List category may apply for a Skilled Worker visa but will not be eligible to apply for Dependant visas for their partner or children.
If an RQF 3–5 job code does not appear on the Temporary Shortage List or Immigration Salary List then we will no longer be possible to sponsor new Skilled Worker applications for that role.
A Temporary Shortage List (TSL) has also been introduced, applying only to a limited number of sub-degree (RQF 3–5) roles under strict, time-limited and conditional sponsorship arrangements. The TSL is not the same as the Immigration Salary List (ISL). Jobs included on the TSL do not qualify for reduced salary thresholds. Instead, the list simply identifies which RQF Level 3–5 roles can continue to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route for a limited period.
The list is temporary and meant to help employers adjust as these lower-skilled roles are phased out of sponsorship. It will stay in place until 31 December 2026, but roles may be removed sooner if the Home Office decides progress has been made in filling these jobs with UK workers.
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaces the former Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and outlines which occupations in the UK are eligible for reduced salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa route.
Occupations on the ISL remain eligible for sponsorship even if the salary offered is below the standard general threshold, provided all other visa requirements are met.
The ISL is intended to be a temporary measure and is currently scheduled to expire by 31 December 2026 at the latest.
The Skilled Worker salary thresholds and associated calculations can be complex, so the following information is provided for general guidance only.
The minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing is whichever is the highest of:
- £41,700 per year
- The ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing.
Candidates/departments are therefore advised to contact HR Operations to discuss any cases where tradeable points may need to be applied or where eligibility is uncertain.
Each role eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa has a specific ‘going rate’ based on a 37.5-hour working week on UKVI. This rate can be pro-rated for other working patterns, depending on the actual hours the individual will work. At the University of Surrey, the full-time working week is 36 hours, so if an individual works full-time, their salary will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis.
The salary must meet or exceed both the occupation-specific going rate and the minimum salary threshold. However, if the applicant qualifies as a New Entrant or meets other relevant tradeable points criteria (as outlined below), lower thresholds may apply.
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement at the time of your application, unless you have already satisfied this requirement in a previous successful visa application. For more information, please check the Government website.
You must show that you have at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate that you can support yourself in the UK. These funds need to have been in your account for a consecutive 28-day period, with the 28th day falling within 31 days prior to your visa application. For more details, please see the Government website.
Visa fees depend on the length of your visa. Please refer to the Government website, for the most up-to-date information on visa fees.
In addition to the visa fee, you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. For more information, please see the Government website.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a security vetting process administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It applies to certain international students and researchers who intend to study or conduct research in sensitive technology-related fields in the UK.
The scheme aims to prevent the transfer of knowledge or technology that could support Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT) or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programmes.
ATAS clearance only applies to certain international researchers and students. Please check the official guidance to confirm if it applies to you: Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) guidance.
The University of Surrey has no control or influence over ATAS decisions or processing times.
If an ATAS certificate is required, the University cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) until the clearance has been granted.
In the event that an ATAS application is refused, the individual will not be permitted to undertake research in the UK. Applicants who believe their case was handled unfairly may request a review directly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), following the instructions outlined in the refusal email.
Please note:
- Reasons for refusal are not normally provided.
- The Home Office and the FCDO do not share refusal details with the University.
You will be required to take a tuberculosis (TB) test if all of the following conditions apply:
- You are coming to the UK for six months or longer.
- You have lived in one or more of the countries listed by the UK Home Office for six months or more; and
- You were living in that country (or another listed country) within the last six months.
For the list of countries and further details on approved testing centres, please see the Government website.
Some roles may qualify for a lower salary threshold if tradeable points are claimed based on the visa applicant holding a PhD that is relevant to the role.
If tradeable points are being used for holding a PhD (or a PhD in a STEM subject), the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by the Staff Immigration Team will confirm how the PhD is relevant to the position, and, where applicable, that it is a STEM qualification.
For PhDs awarded overseas, a PhD verification certificate from ECCTIS/UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC until March 2021) is required to confirm that the qualification is equivalent to a UK PhD. The UK ENIC reference code must then be included on the CoS.
Individuals may be sponsored as a ‘New Entrant’ if they meet any of the following criteria:
- They are under the age of 26 at the time of applying for the Skilled Worker visa; or
- They hold, or have held within the past two years, a Student (Tier 4) visa and have completed a UK bachelor’s or master’s degree, or at least 12 months of study towards a UK PhD; or
- They are switching from a Graduate visa within the UK; or
- The job offer is a postdoctoral position in the relevant job codes, including:
- 2311 for lecturer/teaching positions, and
- 2119 or 2162 used by the University for postdoctoral researcher positions.
The total length of the role offered, when combined with any time already spent under Tier 2 / Skilled Worker and/or Graduate visas, must not exceed four years.
You may apply to switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa up to three months before the date of issue stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The job start date must be no more than three months after the date of your visa application. The employment must not commence before your course completion date.
If you are applying under the ‘New Entrant’ criteria, you must have either completed your course or be applying no more than three months before your expected course completion date. The completion date is normally the end date shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
For PhD students, switching is permitted after 24 months of study. In these cases, the CoS must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of your PhD programme.
Once your CoS has been issued, you may then proceed to apply for your Skilled Worker visa.
Please note that you cannot switch into the Skilled Worker route if you are in the UK as a Visitor or on a Short-Term Student visa.
For more information, see the Government website.
Only guaranteed basic gross pay can be relied upon to meet the salary requirements. Allowances cannot be included.
Sponsorship for part-time appointments can be more challenging to secure. The part-time salary must still meet the applicable minimum salary threshold. As these thresholds and tradeable points can be complex to calculate, you are not expected to determine them yourself. Please contact HR Operations to discuss any specific cases.
An individual can apply for a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK as long as they do not currently hold a:
- Visitor visa
- Short-term Student visa
- Parent of a Child Student visa
- Seasonal Worker visa
- Domestic Worker visa
- Visa for reasons outside of the Immigration Rules.
Issuing the Certificate of Sponsorship
The earliest the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be issued is 3 months before the individual's
- Employment start date
- Current Skilled Worker visa expires.
Once the full visa application, including online application, payment of fee, and registering biometric details, has been completed processing times are normally
- 3 weeks when applying outside the UK
- 8 weeks within the UK
Priority services, at additional cost, are available. For overseas applications information on priority services will be detailed by visa application centre. In the UK this is either a super priority (next working day decision) or priority service (5 working days).
Once a decision is made, if the applicant is overseas and did not use the ID App to provide biometric details, it can take another 1-2 weeks for the passport containing the entry vignette to be returned.
A realistic start date should be set taking into account the individual's circumstances, and the visa application processing times.
Any proposed change to the start date after the CoS has been issued should be discussed with the HR Operations team as soon as possible. If the applicant has not yet submitted their visa application, it may still be possible to amend the CoS.
Once the visa has been granted, arrivals cannot be delayed by more than 4 weeks or the visa may be withdrawn. For more information, please contact the HR Operations team.
Once the visa application has been submitted, or after the Skilled Worker visa has been granted, an individual must not travel to the UK earlier than the issue date printed on their vignette or stated on their electronic immigration status. If they do their Skilled Worker visa will no longer be valid and they will not be able to start their employment.
The University of Surrey is able to offer an interest-free loan of up to £10,000 to support eligible employees and their dependants with payment of UK visa fees (e.g. Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)), and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) *costs.
The University does not provide financial support for priority visa services unless there is an urgent need that has been approved by the hiring department. Additionally, translation costs and fees for English language certification or testing, such as IELTS or Ecctis, are not covered. The available loan also excludes expenses related to premium biometric appointments.
You may apply for this loan after you have started working at the University; your HR contact will provide the relevant details in your welcome email on your first day.
You must retain all receipts as evidence of your expenditure.
If you withdraw your offer acceptance after submitting your visa application, you will be responsible for reimbursing the University for any costs incurred in applying for or obtaining such clearance.
*Please note that this loan scheme is subject to visa conditions. For Skilled Worker visa holders, salary deductions to repay loans may affect your eligibility for sponsorship since they could impact the minimum salary thresholds required. However, other visa types are generally not affected by this. To check eligibility or request further information, please contact HROperations@surrey.ac.uk.
Our standard policy is that the University will reimburse the standard visa fees for the main applicant only, upon submission of a valid receipt. Please note that visa fees for dependants and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees are not reimbursable.
Frequently asked questions
A criminal record check is not usually required for the SOC codes commonly used by the University. However, this depends on the specific SOC code associated with the role. You can check whether a criminal record certificate is required or apply for one: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK
Yes. You will need to provide evidence that your qualification was taught in English and is recognised by UKVI as meeting the English language requirement. Please find more information on the Government website.
If your money is held in a foreign currency this will be converted into pound sterling (£) using the spot exchange rate on OANDA for the date of the application.
If one of your CAH codes requires an ATAS certificate, you should apply for ATAS.
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week in another job or run your own business, provided you continue to perform the duties of the role for which you are being sponsored. For further details, please refer to UKVI pages.
Your partner and children may be eligible to apply to join you or remain in the UK as your dependants. They do not require a Certificate of Sponsorship, but each dependant must submit a separate application. Please note, if your role is classified as medium-skilled, your dependants may not be eligible to apply for a dependent visa. For more information, please see the Government website.
Yes, there are conditions attached to a Skilled Worker visa. Please refer to the Government website, to see what you can and cannot do as a sponsored worker.
- If you submitted your visa application in the UK, you must not leave the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man) until your application has been granted.
Leaving the area may result in your application being automatically withdrawn by UK Visas and Immigration. The Home Office advises applicants not to make travel arrangements before receiving a decision, and any travel undertaken before approval is at your own risk.