UK Skilled Worker Visa Job Offer Requirements:
The UK Skilled Worker visa is a key route for non-UK nationals to work in the UK, forming part of the country’s points-based immigration system. A vital aspect of the application process is the requirement for the applicant to have a valid job offer from a UK employer. This article outlines the essential job offer requirements for a Skilled Worker visa, covering the eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, and other factors that employers and applicants need to be aware of.
To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa job offer requirement click here
The UK Skilled Worker visa enables employers to recruit skilled foreign workers for eligible roles, filling gaps in the UK labor market. The visa was introduced to replace the Tier 2 (General) visa after the UK left the European Union. One of the main requirements for obtaining this visa is securing a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Skilled Worker sponsorship license.
Key Job Offer Requirements For The UK Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, applicants must have a job offer that meets several key requirements, including:
Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor
Eligible Occupation Code
Minimum Skill Level
Salary Threshold
Genuine Vacancy Requirement
Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor
The first and most important requirement is that the job offer must come from an employer who holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsorship license. Only businesses or organizations that have been approved by the UK Home Office can sponsor non-UK nationals under the Skilled Worker visa route.
Employers must apply for and be granted a sponsorship license before they can offer jobs to non-UK workers. The sponsoring employer will issue the applicant a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS), which is a unique reference number confirming that the job offer meets the visa requirements. To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa job offer requirement click here
Eligible Occupation Code
The job being offered must be in an occupation that is on the UK government’s list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker visa. Each eligible job is assigned a Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, which determines whether the role qualifies for the visa based on its skill level and other factors.
As of 2024, the eligible occupation list includes a wide range of sectors such as:
Healthcare (nurses, doctors, paramedics)
Engineering (civil engineers, mechanical engineers)
Information Technology (software developers, IT analysts)
Education (teachers in secondary schools and specialist subjects)
Creative Industries (graphic designers, actors, musicians)
Applicants can check the official government website to see if their role is included on the list of eligible occupations.
Minimum Skill Level
The job must meet the minimum skill level set by the UK government for the Skilled Worker visa. As of 2024, this minimum skill level is RQF Level 3, which is equivalent to A-Level qualifications in the UK.
Roles that require this level of skill typically involve specialist knowledge or training. For example, jobs in fields such as engineering, healthcare, information technology, and teaching all meet the minimum skill level requirement.
It’s important to note that unskilled or lower-skilled jobs (such as general labor, cleaning, or hospitality roles without a supervisory or managerial component) do not qualify under the Skilled Worker visa route. To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa job offer requirement click here
Salary Threshold
In addition to meeting the skill level and occupation requirements, the job offer must meet the salary threshold set by the UK government. As of 2024, the general minimum salary requirement for a Skilled Worker visa is the higher of:
£26,200 per year or
£10.75 per hour
This is the general rule, but there are exceptions and variations for different categories of workers, such as:
Shortage Occupation List (SOL): Jobs that are on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) are subject to lower salary thresholds due to the demand for workers in these fields. For SOL roles, the salary requirement may be reduced by 20%, with the minimum salary being £20,960 per year.
New Entrants to the Labor Market: Applicants who qualify as “new entrants” to the labor market (such as recent graduates or workers under the age of 26) can also benefit from reduced salary requirements. For these individuals, the minimum salary is £20,960 per year or £10.75 per hour, depending on the job.
Employers must ensure that the salary offered meets or exceeds the required threshold for the role, considering both the specific job type and the applicant’s circumstances.
Genuine Vacancy Requirement
The UK Home Office requires that the job being offered must be a genuine vacancy. This means that the role must:
Exist within the employer’s organization.
Require the skills, qualifications, and experience listed in the job description.
Be paid at a level that is consistent with the market rate for that role within the UK.
Employers cannot create a job purely to sponsor a foreign worker, nor can they offer roles that do not align with the actual duties or responsibilities of the position. During the visa application process, the UK Home Office may request evidence that the vacancy is genuine, especially if they have any doubts or concerns about the nature of the role. To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa job offer requirement click here
Additional Job Offer Considerations
In addition to the core requirements, there are several other factors that employers and applicants should consider when making a job offer under the Skilled Worker visa route:
Part-Time and Flexible Working Arrangements
The Skilled Worker visa is generally designed for full-time positions, but part-time roles may also be eligible as long as they meet the minimum salary requirement (calculated based on the pro-rata annual salary). For example, if the role is part-time, the hourly rate must still be at least £10.75 per hour, and the total annual salary must exceed the minimum threshold.
Contract Duration
The job offer must be for a position that is likely to last for the duration of the applicant’s visa. Typically, the visa can be granted for up to five years, but if the job is offered on a fixed-term contract for a shorter period, the visa will be limited to the contract’s duration.
Certificate Of Sponsorship (CS)
A crucial part of the visa application process is the issuance of a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) by the employer. The COS is an electronic document with a unique reference number that the applicant needs to include in their visa application.
The COS confirms that the employer is offering a genuine job that meets the Skilled Worker visa requirements. It also includes important details such as the job title, salary, and start date.
Employers must assign a COS through the UK government’s Sponsorship Management System (SMS), and the COS must be issued within three months before the worker applies for their visa. To get a detailed eBook on the UK skilled worker visa job offer requirement click here
English Language Requirement
In addition to having a valid job offer, applicants for the Skilled Worker visa must meet the English language requirement. This can be satisfied by
Passing an approved English language test at the required level.
Holding a degree taught in English.
Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
Employers should be aware of this requirement and ensure that applicants can demonstrate the necessary English language proficiency as part of their visa application.
Health and Care Visa (Subcategory of Skilled Worker Visa)
For workers in healthcare roles, the Health and Care visa is a specific route under the Skilled Worker visa category. This visa is designed to make it easier and faster for healthcare professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics) to come to the UK.
The job offer requirements for the Health and Care visa are largely the same as those for the general Skilled Worker visa but with some differences:
The role must be in an eligible health or social care profession.
The salary threshold may be lower than the general minimum for specific healthcare roles
The job offer is a central element of the UK Skilled Worker visa application process. To qualify for the visa, the job offer must come from a licensed sponsor, be in an eligible occupation, meet the minimum skill level, and satisfy the salary threshold. Both employers and applicants must ensure that the role is a genuine vacancy and that all the necessary conditions are met.
Employers should carefully assess their job offers and ensure compliance with the UK immigration system, while applicants need to ensure that their job offers align with the visa requirements. With careful planning and adherence to the rules, the UK Skilled Worker visa provides a valuable route for skilled international workers to contribute to the UK economy.
