Skilled Worker visa

Overview

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

This visa (A Skilled Worker visa) has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.

Some health workers and their families will get their visas extended for free because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme (the free EU Settlement Scheme).

Eligibility

Your job

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office

have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK

do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations

be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do

The specific eligibility depends on your job.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

If you’re not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa

You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.

How long you can stay

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK

inside the UK and extending your current visa

inside the UK and switching from a different visa

If you want to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa.

You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this (prove). You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK

8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee

pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay

prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much money you’ll need.

If you work in public sector healthcare

If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

What you can and cannot do

With a Skilled Worker visa you can:

work in an eligible job

study

bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

take on additional work in certain circumstances

do voluntary work

travel abroad and return to the UK

apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension

change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Skilled Worker visa.

Your job

You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa:

your job is eligible for this visa (a Skilled Worker visa)

you’ll be working for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office

you’ll be paid at least the minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing

The minimum salary for the type of work you’ll be doing is whichever is the highest out of the following 3 options:

£25,600 per year

£10.10 per hour

the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you’ll be doing

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its (your job) 4-digit occupation code.

If you already have a job offer, ask your employer for your occupation code.

Look up your job’s (your job) occupation code (its (your job) 4-digit occupation code)

If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the ONS occupation coding tool.

Not every job title is included. If you cannot find your exact job title, try searching for similar jobs.

Make sure the job description matches what you’ll be doing. Some similar jobs have different codes, for example chefs and cooks. Chefs are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, but cooks are not.

Check if an occupation code is eligible for this visa (a Skilled Worker visa)

When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it (an occupation code)’s included.

The table (the table of eligible jobs) is very large. It (the table of eligible jobs)’s sorted in order of occupation code, with the smallest numbers at the top. You may be able to use your web browser to search for your code on the page.

Salary requirements

You’ll usually need to be paid at least £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour, whichever is higher. If the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than both of these, you’ll usually need to be paid at least the going rate.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

If you work in healthcare or education

There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs, where the going rate is based on national pay scales.

When you can be paid less

If you do not meet the usual salary requirements, and you do not work in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your salary will be at least £20,480 per year and at least £10.10 per hour.

Check when you can be paid less.

Approved UK employers

You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK.

View the list of approved UK employers.

If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible.

They (your employer)’ll need to pay a fee - £536 for small businesses and charities or £1,476 for medium and large organisations. It usually takes around 8 weeks to process a licence application.

If you already have a job offer from an approved employer

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. They (Approved employers)’ll give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to prove this.

The certificate of sponsorship (a ‘certificate of sponsorship’) is an electronic record, not a physical document. It will have a reference number, which you’ll need for your visa application.

You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship (a ‘certificate of sponsorship’).

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

When you can be paid less

You might still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if your job is eligible but your salary is less than £25,600 or your job’s usual ‘going rate’. You must still be paid at least £10.10 per hour.

You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the usual going rate for your job if your salary is at least £20,480 per year and you meet one of the following criteria:

your job is in a shortage occupation

you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job (a shortage occupation) (if you have a relevant PhD level qualification in any other subject your salary must be at least £23,040)

you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs.

Your job is in a shortage occupation

A ‘shortage occupation’ is a skilled job where there is a shortage of workers in the UK.

If your job is on the shortage occupation list, you can:

be paid 80% of the job’s (your job) usual going rate

pay a lower fee for your visa

View the shortage occupations list (the shortage occupation list) to see if your job is included and how much you’ll need to be paid.

Make sure you check there’s a shortage in the part of the UK you’ll be working in - England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You can be paid 70% of your job’s (your job) usual going rate if one of the following applies:

you’re under 26 on the date you apply

you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa studying at bachelor’s degree level or above - or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Student or visit visa was your most recent visa

you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate Entrepreneur visa

you’ll be working towards a recognised qualification in a UK regulated profession

you’ll be working towards full registration or chartered status in the job you’re being sponsored for

If this applies to you, check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa.

Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply for one of these reasons (the following). This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.

You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

If your job is eligible for a PhD salary discount, you can be paid 80% or 90% of the job’s (your job) usual going rate (your job’s (your job) usual going rate), depending on which subject you are qualified in.

If you have a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) qualification, you can be paid 80% of your job’s (your job) usual going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £20,480 per year.

If you have a non-STEM qualification, you can be paid 90% of your job’s (your job) usual going rate, as long as you will still be paid at least £23,040 a year.

In both situations, you must:

have a UK PhD or an equivalent doctorate-level overseas qualification - you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to check if an overseas qualification is equivalent to a UK PhD

be able to prove your qualification is relevant to the job you’ll be doing in the UK - your employer can confirm this

View the list of jobs that qualify for a PhD salary discount to see if your job is included and how much you need to be paid.

If you’re a research or academic leader, you may also be eligible to apply for the Global Talent visa. This visa has no language or minimum salary requirements.

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

You can be paid 70% of your job’s usual going rate if you’ll be working in a postdoctoral position in certain science or higher education roles.

Your job must be in one of the following occupation codes to qualify for this salary discount:

2111: chemical scientists

2112: biological scientists and biochemists

2113: physical scientists

2114: social and humanities scientists

2119: natural and social science professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as research fellows and sports scientists

2311: higher education teaching professionals

If this applies to you, check how much you’ll need to be paid to qualify for this visa (the Global Talent visa).

Your total stay in the UK cannot be more than 4 years if you apply to work in a postdoctoral position at 70% of the usual going rate. This includes any time you’ve already spent in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.

If you work in healthcare or education

There are different salary rules if you work in some healthcare or education jobs. Your salary must be at least £20,480 - or more if your job’s ‘going rate’ is higher.

The going rates for these jobs (some healthcare or education jobs) are based on the national pay scales set by the relevant independent body, for example the NHS.

View the list of eligible healthcare and education jobs to see if your job is included.

National pay scales tables

If your job is on the list (the list of eligible healthcare and education jobs), your salary must be at least the national pay scale rate for the job you’ll be doing.

These going rates apply whether you’ll be working in the public or private sector.

Check how much you’ll need to be paid in the:

table of national pay scales for eligible healthcare jobs - listed by NHS (the NHS) pay band and area of the UK

table of national pay scales for eligible teaching and education leadership jobs - listed by role and area of the UK

Ask your employer if you’re not sure what your role or pay band will be.

If your job is on the shortage occupation list

You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is in a shortage occupation.

View the list of healthcare and education shortage occupations (the list of eligible healthcare and education jobs) to see if your job is included.

Make sure you check there’s a shortage in the part of the UK you’ll be working in - England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

If your job is on the list (the list of eligible healthcare and education jobs), the reduced fee for each person applying is:

£464 if you’re staying for up to 3 years

£928 if you’re staying for more than 3 years

The fee (the reduced fee for each person applying) is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

You’ll also need to pay the healthcare surcharge and prove you can support yourself in the UK - check how much money you’ll need.

Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language (English) when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider

having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18

having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

If you’re a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or vet

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve already passed an English Language (English) assessment that is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body.

If you’re a vet, you may need to prove that you passed an English Language assessment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

How much it costs

When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:

pay the application fee - the standard fee ranges from £610 to £1,408 depending on your circumstances

pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £624 per year

support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

Application fees

If you’re applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

up to 3 years - £610 per person

more than 3 years - £1,220 per person

If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

up to 3 years - £704 per person

more than 3 years - £1,408 per person

If your job is on the shortage occupation list

You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

The fee for each person applying is:

£464 if you’re staying for up to 3 years

£928 if you’re staying for more than 3 years

The fee (The fee for each person applying) is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

There’s a different list of shortage occupations if you work in healthcare or education.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

If your job is on the shortage occupation list, you’ll get this reduction as well as paying a lower fee.

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge (Healthcare surcharge) for each year of your stay - this (Healthcare surcharge) is usually £624 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this (support). Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

proof of your knowledge of English

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

your job title and annual salary

your job’s occupation code

the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship

Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one.

If your certificate of sponsorship was issued before 1 December 2020

Your certificate of sponsorship will need to be updated because it (Your certificate of sponsorship) was assigned to you before the Tier 2 (General) work visa was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa.

Ask your employer to update the ‘sponsor notes’ section in the UK visa sponsorship management system.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

a criminal record certificate - if you’re working in certain jobs

a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher

your UK PhD certificate, or your unique Ecctis reference number (formerly unique UK NARIC reference number) if your qualification is from outside the UK - you’ll need to apply through Ecctis

You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re:

from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it (your passport)

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

Criminal record certificate

You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK and you work in:

education, for example teachers, education advisers and school inspectors, childminders, teaching assistants

healthcare, for example nurses, doctors, paramedics, managers, pharmacists, dentists and dental nurses, ophthalmic opticians

therapy, for example psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors

social services, for example social workers, managers, probation officers, welfare and housing officers

Check how to apply for criminal records checks.

If you work in healthcare, you might be able to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

If you’ve lived in more than one country

You might need to provide a certificate from each country you’ve lived in, depending on your age and how long you stayed in each country.

If you’re under 28, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more since you turned 18.

If you’re 28 or over, you’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in over the last 10 years.

When you’ve got your documents ready

You can apply online once your documents are ready.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK

inside the UK and extending your current visa

inside the UK and switching from a different visa

If you’ve read the guidance and you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use a Home Office checker tool. You’ll be asked to confirm that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Skilled Worker visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this (prove) is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application

you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it (a biometric residence permit) later.

Start now

Continue your application

Sign in to your account (your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account) using the link from your sign-up email.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

If you’ve applied through a visa application centre, find out if you can pay to get a faster decision - this depends on where you’re applying from.

After you apply

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they (Your partner and children)’re eligible. If their (Your partner and children) application is successful, their (Your partner and children) visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They (your child) must:

live with you (unless they (your child)’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their (your child) address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their (your child) university or college

Money they (your child) need to support themselves (your child)

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them (your child) applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they (your child) apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

apply online as your partner

apply online as your child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.

They (Each family member)’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They’ll either:

have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a
visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they do need an appointment:

the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application

they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

Apply for your partner or child’s visa at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your own visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visas at a later date. This must be before their current visa expires.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your Skilled Worker visa as your dependants if they (your partner or child) are currently in the UK:

on a visit visa

on a short-term student visa

on a Parent of a Child Student visa

on a seasonal worker visa

on a domestic worker in a private household visa

on immigration bail

because they (your partner or child) were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend or switch to your Skilled Worker visa as your partner

extend or switch to your Skilled Worker visa as your child

They (your partner or child)’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:

have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on if:

your child is inside the UK

your child is outside the UK

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their (your child’s) dependant visa (your child’s dependant visa) before they (your child’s) turn 18 if they (your child’s) want to stay in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of the following are true:

you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK

your job (your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK) is in the same occupation code as when you were given your (your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK) previous permission to enter or stay in the UK

you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship

Some health workers and their families will get their visas extended for free because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

If you have a Tier 2 (General) work visa

You may need to meet different eligibility requirements, depending on:

whether you got the certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 visa before or after 24 November 2016

whether you applied for your first Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa before 6 April 2021

your occupation code - some have different going rates

The requirements will apply if you either:

have a Tier 2 (General) work visa

had a Tier 2 (General) work visa which you’ve extended as a Skilled Worker visa

If you got your certificate of sponsorship (your current certificate of sponsorship) before 24 November 2016

If you apply to extend before 24 May 2023, the minimum salary you’ll need to be paid is fixed at a lower rate. You’ll need to be paid at least £20,800 per year unless the ‘going rate’ for your job is higher than this.

If you got your certificate of sponsorship (your current certificate of sponsorship) on or after 24 November 2016

If you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you will still need to meet the new salary requirements, but your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Any allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.

If you applied for your first Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa before 6 April 2021

The minimum salary requirement of £10.10 per hour or the going rate for the type of work you’ll be doing does not apply.

Jobs with different going rates

For some jobs, the going rate for the Skilled Worker visa is different.

Occupation code | Going rate for Skilled Worker visa | 90% of going rate (for relevant STEM PhD) | 80% of going rate (for relevant non-STEM PhD or shortage occupation) | 70% of going rate (for new entrants)

2113 Physical scientists | £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) | £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.15 per hour) | £20,300 (£9.76 per hour)

2119 Natural and social science professionals | £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) | £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) | £23,200 (£11.15 per hour) | £20,300 (£9.76 per hour)

2311 Higher education teaching professionals | £33,000 (£15.87 per hour) | £29,700 (14.28 per hour) | £26,400 (£12.69 per hour) | £23,100 (£11.11 per hour)

If you’ve changed job or employer

You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You may also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your Skilled Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application (your application date) will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI (your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)) has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Update your visa if you change job or employer

You’ll need to apply to update your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) work visa if:

you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer

your job changes to a different occupation code, and you’re not in a graduate training programme

you leave a job that’s on the shortage occupation list for a job that is not on the list

You do not need to apply again if you stay in the same job (a job that’s on the shortage occupation list), but your job (a job that’s on the shortage occupation list) is taken off the shortage occupation list.

If you’ll be doing a different job for your current employer, you only need to apply to update your visa if your new job is in a different occupation code.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply

Your new job (a different job) must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this.

You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year.

If you’re applying to add a second job to your current visa

You must apply to update your visa if you take on a second job that is either:

more than 20 paid hours a week in addition to the job you’re being sponsored for

in a different occupation code

Your second job (a second job) must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship to prove this (meet).

You’ll also need to include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay.

Your letter must state:

your name

your date of birth

your current certificate of sponsorship reference number

the date when your current permission to stay runs out

If your application is successful, you’ll get a new visa giving you permission to do both jobs.

You do not need to apply to update your visa if you’re taking on additional work in the same occupation code or you’ll be doing less than 20 paid hours a week.

When to apply to update your visa

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job (your current permission to stay) while your new application is being considered, or to work out your notice period - as long as you apply before your current visa (your visa) expires.

You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application (your new application) will be withdrawn if you do.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.

Apply to update your visa

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it (your application) contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)).

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements:

your job meets the eligibility requirements (the following requirements)

you can speak, read, write and understand English

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:

on a visit visa

on a short-term student visa

on a Parent of a Child Student visa

on a seasonal worker visa

on a domestic worker in a private household visa

on immigration bail

because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Skilled Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

Fees

Each person applying will need to pay:

the visa application fee

the healthcare surcharge for each year of their (Each person applying) stay - check how much you’ll have to pay

You may also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year, you’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this (prove) depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision -  you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it (your application) contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)) has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Taking on additional work

You can do additional paid work on this visa as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for. You can also do unpaid voluntary work.

You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job that’s either:

in the same occupation code and at the same level as your main job

in a shortage occupation

Check if your job (the job you’re being sponsored for) is on the list of:

healthcare and education shortage occupations

all other shortage occupations

Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), there’s currently no limit on the number of hours you can work or volunteer if you have a second job as an NHS doctor, nurse or paramedic.

If you’ll be working more than 20 hours a week or in a different occupation code

You’ll need to apply to update your visa (this visa) so that you’re being sponsored to do both jobs.

You’ll need to:

get a new certificate of sponsorship from your second employer

include a letter with your application explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay


Sportsperson visa (T2)

Overview

You can apply for a Sportsperson visa (T2) if all of the following apply:

you’re an elite sportsperson or qualified coach, who’s recognised by your sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of your profession internationally

your sport’s governing body is endorsing your application

your employment will develop your sport in the UK at the highest level

you meet the other eligibility requirements

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme (the free EU Settlement Scheme).

Getting sponsored

Your sponsor is the governing body endorsing your application (your sport’s governing body). They (your sport’s governing body)’ll give you a certificate of sponsorship to prove they (your sport’s governing body)’re sponsoring you.

How long it will take

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you’re due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship (a certificate of sponsorship).

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

How much you pay for a Sportsperson visa (T2) depends on where you are.

Who you’re applying for | Apply outside the UK | Extend or switch in the UK

You | £610 | £704

All dependants | £610 each person | £704 each person

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee (Application fee) will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge (Healthcare surcharge) as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

How long you can stay

You can come to the UK with a Sportsperson visa (T2) for up to 3 years.

You can apply to extend this visa (a Sportsperson visa (T2)) for up to another 3 years to a maximum stay of 6 years.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job in certain circumstances

play for your national team in the UK

work as a sports broadcaster

do voluntary work

study as long as it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored (the job described in your certificate of sponsorship) for

travel abroad and return to the UK

bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

get public funds

start or run a business

apply for a second job until you’ve started working for your sponsor

Eligibility

You need to:

have a valid certificate of sponsorship for your job

prove your knowledge of English

have personal savings so you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK

show you can travel and your travel history over the last 5 years

have tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

You need to have an eligible qualification if you’re switching from a Tier 4 visa.

Certificate of sponsorship

A certificate of sponsorship holds your personal details and information about the job you’ve been offered (the job described in your certificate of sponsorship). It’s an electronic record, not a paper document. Your sponsor will give you a certificate of sponsorship reference number to add to your application.

You can only use your certificate of sponsorship reference number (a certificate of sponsorship reference number) once. You must use it (a certificate of sponsorship reference number) within 3 months of getting it (a certificate of sponsorship reference number).

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this (support) when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it (support).

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Knowledge of English

You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language (English) when you apply.

You can prove your knowledge of English by either:

passing an approved English language (English) test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening

having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

You may be able to meet the English language requirement in other ways. Check the full visa guidance for detailed information.

Exceptions

You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

the Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

New Zealand

Malta

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

USA

You also may not have to prove your knowledge of English in other circumstances - check the full visa guidance.

Documents you'll need

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number (your employer will give you this)

proof of your knowledge of English

evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK (UK), for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality - you need a blank page in your passport for your visa

expired passports or travel documents if you need them to show your travel history

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

a letter of endorsement from your sport’s governing body, if you’re applying as a sportsperson or coach

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll need to provide a certified translation.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

See the full list of documents you can provide.

Read the guidance about the money you’ll need and how to prove it.

Apply from outside the UK (UK)

You must apply online for a Sportsperson visa (T2).

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre.

You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph taken at the visa application centre (a visa application centre), so you can get a biometric residence permit.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit (a biometric residence permit) within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK (UK).

Apply for a Sportsperson visa (T2)

Once you’ve started your application (your online application) you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application (your online application)

You can sign back into your application (your online application) if you’ve saved it (your form). Check your email and follow the link to return to your application (your online application).

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on what country you’re in.

After you apply

You can ask to cancel your application (your online application). You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application (your online application) has not been processed yet.

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application (your online application). This will explain what you need to do next.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK (UK) under a Sportsperson visa (T2).

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay. They’ll also need to submit a separate application.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must have your endorsement by your sport’s governing body renewed and a new certificate of sponsorship reference number.

How long you can stay

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK (UK) with a Sportsperson visa (T2) for up to 3 years and 14 days.

You must leave the UK (UK) after this. You can only apply for this visa (a Sportsperson visa (T2)) again if you can show you’ll be paid a gross annual salary of £35,800 or more.

Fees

Check the fees for your type of visa.

Apply to extend your Sportsperson visa (T2)

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application (your online application), you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents (supporting documents). You can:

upload them (supporting documents) into the online service

have them (supporting documents) scanned at your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK (UK), Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision:

within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service

If you use the super priority service you’ll get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if your appointment (your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment) is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

You’ll be contacted if your circumstances or application are more complicated, for example if:

your supporting documents (supporting documents) need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

you have a criminal conviction

Switch to this visa

You can apply to change (‘switch’) from another visa to a Sportsperson visa (T2).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must meet the Sportsperson visa (T2) eligibility requirements and you must already be in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:

Tier 1 visa

Tier 2 (General) visa

Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa

Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa under the Immigration Rules in place before 6 April 2010 and you’re applying to change sponsor

Tier 4 visa - if you have an eligible qualification or you’ve done at least 12 months of a PhD

Start-up visa

Innovator visa

You can also switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and you’re a:

dependent partner of someone with a Tier 4 visa

representative of an overseas business

You must leave the UK and make your Sportsperson visa (T2) application from abroad if you’re not in any of these categories.

Eligible qualifications for Tier 4 visa (this visa)

You must have been sponsored by a licensed sponsor to get one of the following qualifications:

a UK bachelors degree

a UK masters degree

a postgraduate certificate in education

a professional graduate diploma of education

PhD students

You must have completed at least 12 months’ study during your most recent stay in the UK. This can be through a licensed sponsor or another visa that allowed you to study.

How long you can stay

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK with a Sportsperson visa (T2) (your Sportsperson visa (T2)) for up to 3 years and 14 days.

You must leave the UK after this. You can only apply for this visa again if you can show you’ll be paid a gross annual salary of £35,800 or more.

Fees

Check the fees for your type of visa.

Apply to switch to a Sportsperson visa (T2) (your Sportsperson visa (T2))

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it (your form). Check your email and follow the link to return to your application.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo) (biometric information).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents (supporting documents). You can:

upload them (supporting documents) into the online service

have them (supporting documents) scanned at your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision:

within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service

within 5 working days of your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if you use the priority service (the standard service)

If you use the super priority service you’ll get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if your appointment is on a weekday

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

You’ll be told if it (your biometric residence permit) will take longer, for example if:

your supporting documents need to be verified

you need to attend an interview

your application is complex because of your personal circumstances, for example you have a criminal conviction

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they (Your partner and children)’re eligible. If their (Your partner and children) application is successful, their (Your partner and children) visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They (your child) must:

live with you (unless they (your child)’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their (your child) university or college

Money they (your child) need to support themselves (your child)

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them (Your partner or children) applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they (Your partner or children) apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than one year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They (Each family member)’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their (your partner or child) identity

As part of their (your partner or child) application, your partner and children (your partner or child) will need to have their (your partner or child) fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. They (your partner or child) may need to travel to get to their (your partner or child) nearest centre (this could be in another country).

The visa application centre (their (your partner or child) nearest centre) may need to keep their (your partner or child) passport and documents while they (their (your partner or child) nearest centre) process their (your partner or child) application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they (your partner or child)’ve applied online, proved their (your partner or child) identity and provided their (your partner or child) documents, they (your partner or child)’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They (your partner or child) may be able to pay to get their (your partner or child) visa faster - check with the visa application centre (their (your partner or child) nearest centre).

Apply from inside the UK to extend

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend this visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend their visas at a later date. This must be before their current visa expires.

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend as a partner

extend as a child

They (your partner or child)’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

As part of their (your partner or child) application, your partner and children (your partner or child) will need to have their (your partner or child) fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

They (your partner or child) must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they (your partner or child) get a decision. Their (your partner or child) application will be withdrawn if they (your partner or child) do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they (your partner or child)’ve applied online, proved their (your partner or child) identity and provided their (your partner or child) documents, they (your partner or child)’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They (your partner or child) may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they (your partner or child)’ll be told if they (your partner or child) can when they (your partner or child) apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their (a child) visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply to add them (your partner or child) to your visa before they (your partner or child) turn 18 if they (your partner or child) want to stay in the UK.

Taking a second job

You can take a second job on this visa (your visa) if you’re working up to 20 hours a week in either:

the same profession as your main job

a profession on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list

You can also do unpaid voluntary work.

Otherwise, you’ll need to apply for a new visa. You’ll need to be sponsored by your second employer and get a new certificate of sponsorship.

When to apply for a new visa

You cannot apply for a new visa until you’ve started work with your first sponsor.

You cannot start work with your second sponsor until your visa application has been approved.

How to apply

Read the guidance before you apply.

You must apply online.

You must be in the UK to apply.

Documents you’ll need to provide

You need to provide some documents with your application.

You must also provide a letter explaining that you want to change your current permission to stay.

Your letter must state:

your name

your date of birth

your current certificate of sponsorship reference number

the date when your current permission to stay runs out


Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5)

Overview

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - International Agreement Worker visa (T5) if you’ll be contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. For example if you’ll be:

working for a foreign government

working as a private servant in a diplomatic household

providing a service under contract as a contractual service supplier or independent professional

You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.

This visa has replaced the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - International Agreement) visa.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme (the free EU Settlement Scheme).

Sponsorship

You need to be sponsored (have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer) before you can apply to come to the UK.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before the date you’re due to start work. This date is on your certificate of sponsorship (a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer).

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Find out about paying for a faster decision.

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying (Application fee) is £244.

The fee (Application fee) is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

If you’re from an eligible country

Your application fee (Application fee) will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

This reduction (£55) only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge (Healthcare surcharge) as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK you can pay an extra £500 for the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

You can pay an extra £800 for the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your biometric information if your appointment is on a weekday

2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

How long you can stay

If you’re working for a foreign government or as a private servant in a diplomatic household you can stay for 2 years, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

Providing a service under contract

You can stay for 6 months in any 12 month period, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter if you are providing a service under contract:

in a relevant sector as set out in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

in another services trade agreement under which the United Kingdom (the UK) has similar commitments

You can stay longer if your work is covered by one of the following agreements:

UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement - 12 months or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter

Temporary agreement between the Swiss Confederation (Switzerland) and the UK on services mobility - 12 months in any 24 month period or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter

When you can enter and leave

You can enter the UK 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship.

You may be asked to leave the UK within 60 days if your job finishes early. It’s unlikely you’ll have to leave if your visa has less than 60 days remaining.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list or one in the same sector as your main job for up to 20 hours per week (unless you are a private servant, a contractual service supplier or an independent professional)

study, as long as it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for

travel abroad and return to the UK

bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

get public funds

start working before you get your visa

Eligibility

You can apply for a Temporary Worker - International Agreement Worker visa (T5) if you have:

a certificate of sponsorship reference number

enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

Work covered by international law

Your work in the UK must be any of the following:

covered by the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

covered by similar agreements between the UK and other countries

for an overseas government or international organisation

as a private servant in a diplomatic household or in the household of an employee of an international organisation

Certificate of sponsorship

A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about you and your job. It’s not an actual certificate or paper document.

Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship (your certificate of sponsorship).

Your sponsor will also give you the information they (Your sponsor) used on your certificate (your certificate of sponsorship) about your job, your working hours for example.

Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you.

Multiple entry

Your sponsor can give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship so you can leave and return to the UK.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this (support). Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you must provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this

a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)

proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Read the guide for a full list of documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for this visa.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.

You’ll have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you said you’d arrive in the UK (even if you actually arrive at a later date).

Find out how to get your visa decision faster - this depends on what country you’re in. Check if your visa application centre offers faster decisions and other services.

Apply from inside the UK

You can only extend your existing visa or switch to this visa if you’re already in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Temporary Worker - International Agreement Worker visa (T5).

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.

How long you can stay

You can apply to extend your visa for up to 2 years at a time up to a total maximum stay of 6 years if you are working:

for a foreign government

as a private servant in a diplomatic household and applied for your visa before 5 April 2012

If you’re working as a private servant in a diplomatic household and applied for your visa on or after 5 April 2012 your total maximum stay can only be 5 years or until the last date of your employer’s posting, whichever is shorter.

If you’re a contractual service supplier or independent professional you can only stay in the UK for a maximum of:

12 months if providing a service under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

12 months in any 24 month period if providing a service under the Temporary agreement between the Swiss Confederation (Switzerland) and the UK on services mobility

6 months in any 12 month period in all other cases

Fees

Check the fees for your visa.

How to extend your visa

You must apply online.

Your partner and children

You can add your partner and children to your online application - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents (supporting documents). You can:

upload them (supporting documents) into the online service

have them (supporting documents) scanned at your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if your appointment (your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment) is on a weekday

2 working days after your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment if your appointment (your UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)) appointment) is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

if your supporting documents (supporting documents) need to be verified

if you need to attend an interview

because of your personal circumstances, for example you have a criminal conviction

Switch to this visa

You can apply to switch into a Temporary Worker - International Agreement Worker visa (T5) while you are in the UK if you want to continue working for your current employer and you:

have a work permit

work for an overseas government or international organisation

You should apply before your current visa expires.

How long you can stay

You can stay for 2 years or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

Fees

Check the fees for your visa.

How to switch your visa

You must apply online.

Your partner and children

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents (supporting documents). You can:

upload them (supporting documents) into the online service (your online application)

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.

If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

Once you’ve got your decision letter, your biometric residence permit will take up to 10 working days to arrive.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

if your supporting documents (supporting documents) need to be verified

if you need to attend an interview

because of your personal circumstances, for example you have a criminal conviction

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner

your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK

you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They (your child) must:

live with you (unless they (your child)’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)

not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children

be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their (your child) address such as:

a bank statement

credit card bills

driving licence

NHS registration document

an official letter from their (your child) university or college

Money they (your child) need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child (Your partner and children) - will need:

£285 for your partner

£315 for one child

£200 for each additional child

You - or your partner or child (Your partner and children) - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them (Your partner and children) applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they (Your partner and children) apply, unless either:

you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months

your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must apply online.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.

They (Your partner and children)’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their (your partner or child) identity

As part of their (your partner or child) application, your partner and children (your partner or child) will need to have their (your partner or child) fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. They (your partner or child) may need to travel to get to their (your partner or child) nearest centre (this could be in another country).

The visa application centre may need to keep their (your partner or child) passport and documents while they process their (your partner or child) application.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they (your partner or child)’ve applied online, proved their (your partner or child) identity and provided their (your partner or child) documents, they (your partner or child)’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They (your partner or child) may be able to pay to get their (your partner or child) visa faster - check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their (your partner or child) visa)

You can include your partner and children on your application to extend or switch to this visa (their (your partner or child) visa). This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.

If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visas at a later date. This must be before their current visa expires.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they (your partner or child) are currently in the UK:

on a visit visa

on a short-term student visa

on a Parent of a Child Student visa

on a seasonal worker visa

on a domestic worker in a private household visa

on immigration bail

because they (your partner or child) were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

How to apply

Your partner and children must apply online to either:

extend or switch as a partner

extend or switch as a child

They (your partner or child)’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their (Your partner and children) identity

As part of their (Your partner and children) application, your partner and children will need to have their (Your partner and children) fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

They (Your partner and children) must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they (Your partner and children) get a decision. Their (Your partner and children) application will be withdrawn if they (Your partner and children) do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they (Your partner and children)’ve applied online, proved their (Your partner and children) identity and provided their (Your partner and children) documents, they (Your partner and children)’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They (Your partner and children) may be able to pay to get a faster decision - they (Your partner and children)’ll be told if they (Your partner and children) can when they (Your partner and children) apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.