A UK Skilled Worker visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it, and you can extend as many times as you like while you still qualify. After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle permanently. As of October 2026 you'll usually need a job offer paying at least £41,700 a year or the job's going rate, whichever is higher.
That answers the most common question, how long a UK work visa lasts. The visa is tied to a sponsoring employer and a specific job, so its real length depends on your certificate of sponsorship.
Here's how the visa works, what it costs, and the salary rule that catches many applicants out, all from GOV.UK's guide. Immigration rules change often, so check the official page before you apply.
Who can get a Skilled Worker visa
- you work for a UK employer the Home Office has approved for sponsorship
- you have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from that employer with details of the role
- your job is on the list of eligible occupations
- you're paid at least the minimum salary for the work
- you can speak, read, write and understand English, usually proven with a test or qualification
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply. If your employer isn't yet approved, GOV.UK says they can apply for a sponsorship licence, with a fee of £611 for small businesses and charities or £1,682 for medium and large organisations, usually taking around 8 weeks.
The salary rule people get wrong
GOV.UK says you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary of at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. The catch is the word higher. Its own example: a salary of £42,000 doesn't qualify if the going rate for that job is £45,000, even though it's above £41,700.
There are lower thresholds in some cases. You can be paid between 70% and 90% of the going rate if your salary is at least £33,400 and, for example, you're under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or your job is on the immigration salary list. Healthcare and education roles use national pay scales instead.
What it costs, as of October 2026
| Cost | Amount (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Application from outside the UK, up to 3 years | £819 per person |
| Application from outside the UK, more than 3 years | £1,618 per person |
| Extending, switching or updating inside the UK, up to 3 years | £943 per person |
| Extending, switching or updating inside the UK, more than 3 years | £1,865 per person |
| Job on the immigration salary list | £628 up to 3 years, £1,235 for more than 3 years |
| Healthcare surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Savings to show on arrival | Usually at least £1,270, unless exempt |
GOV.UK's worked example is a 2-year visa from abroad for a job not on the immigration salary list: £819 plus £1,035 for each year of the surcharge, a total of £2,889 at the point of applying. Partners and children pay their own fees and surcharge.
How long a decision takes
You can apply up to 3 months before your start date on the CoS, and you must apply within 3 months of getting the certificate. Once you've applied and proved your identity, GOV.UK says you'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you're inside the UK. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
Steps to apply
- Get a job offer from a licensed sponsoring employer and your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
- Check your job's occupation code, going rate and the salary rule.
- Prove your English, unless you're exempt.
- Apply online, pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge, and show your savings if your employer isn't covering you.
- Prove your identity and upload documents, then wait for a decision.
- Update your visa if you change jobs or employer, and extend before it expires.
Employers have duties too. My guide to the right to work check explains what a UK employer must see before you start.
Bringing your family
GOV.UK says your partner and children may be able to apply to join you, or stay in the UK, as your dependants. Each of them pays an application fee and the healthcare surcharge, and the fee they pay depends on how long they'll be in the UK, which follows the end date of your certificate of sponsorship. If you plan to bring family later, budget for their costs at the time they apply rather than when you first arrive.
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You can also take on some additional work in certain circumstances and travel abroad and return, but check the GOV.UK conditions first, because working outside the rules can put your visa at risk.
Settling after 5 years
GOV.UK says that after 5 years you may be able to apply to settle permanently, known as indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You'll need to meet the other eligibility rules at the time, so keep records of your employment and salary throughout.
My verdict
If you've got a UK job offer from a licensed sponsoring employer, the Skilled Worker visa is the main route, and it can lead to settlement. Check the going rate for your exact job code before you accept an offer, because that's where most refusals start. Budget for the surcharge, which often costs more than the visa itself. If you're location-independent rather than employed, my guide to the digital nomad visa covers other countries' options. For your own case, use GOV.UK or a regulated immigration adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a UK Skilled Worker visa last?
Up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You can extend as many times as you like while you meet the requirements.
What is the minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa?
As of October 2026, usually at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. Lower rates apply in some cases.
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
From outside the UK it's £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for longer, plus a healthcare surcharge of usually £1,035 per year.
How long does a Skilled Worker visa decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside the UK, after you've proved your identity.
Can a Skilled Worker visa lead to settlement?
Yes. GOV.UK says after 5 years you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you meet the requirements.
