Skilled Worker visa in 2026: what changed
United Kingdom · 8 min read · 9 July 2026
The Skilled Worker route is a commonly used UK sponsored-work pathway, but requirements and thresholds change and must be checked against current official guidance.
The three tests you must pass
- The employer holds a valid sponsor licence and issues a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- The role sits at the required skill level under its occupation code.
- The salary clears both the general threshold and the going rate for that code.
The going rate is the part most applicants miss. A role can pay above the headline threshold and still fail because the occupation code carries a higher rate.
Graduates switching in-country
Switching from a Graduate visa is usually cheaper and faster than applying from overseas, and new entrant provisions can reduce the salary requirement if you qualify. Start conversations with employers at least four months before your current permission expires.
Practical sequencing
Confirm the sponsor licence before you invest in a long interview process, ask which occupation code the role will be sponsored under, and get the going rate confirmed in writing before you resign from anything.
This article provides general career-planning and educational information only. It is not immigration, legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and employer policies change, so verify current information with official authorities, the employer or an independent qualified adviser before acting.