How the Skilled Worker route works

The Skilled Worker route lets people come to, or stay in, the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer that holds a sponsor licence. It spans every sponsored sector, including IT and software, engineering, construction, finance, education, science, hospitality, healthcare and care. The Health and Care Worker route is a part of the Skilled Worker system for eligible health and care professionals, and it can offer reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

To be sponsored, a role generally has to be a genuine job at or above the required skill level, offered by a licensed sponsor, and paid at or above the relevant salary rules. Whether any specific role is offered with sponsorship is always at the employer’s discretion.

An employer that holds a sponsor licence can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible role. The worker then applies for the visa. The employer, not the worker, is responsible for paying the fees associated with sponsoring a role.