Question 1

Does the Skilled Worker visa always require a job offer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Skilled Worker route is sponsor-licensed: a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and the role must meet the salary and skill thresholds in force at the time of application. Without a CoS, you would need a different route such as the Global Talent or High Potential Individual visa.

Question 2

How is the spouse-visa financial requirement calculated in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The Appendix FM minimum income requirement was raised to £29,000 in April 2024 with planned step-ups; check the current figure in the live Statement of Changes before applying. Income can be drawn from employment, self-employment, savings (with the £16,000 plus formula), pensions, or non-employment income — but each category has very specific evidential rules under Appendix FM-SE.

Question 3

How does the Immigration Health Surcharge work?

Accepted Answer

The IHS is paid up-front for the entire length of the visa as part of the application: £1,035/year for most adults, £776/year for students and Youth Mobility, and £776/year for under-18 dependants. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt. Once paid, you have full access to the National Health Service for the duration of the leave.

Question 4

Can I switch from a Student visa to a Skilled Worker visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can switch in-country on or after the course completion date if you have an eligible CoS. You can also use the Graduate visa to remain in the UK for 18–24 months without sponsorship before switching, which is often a smoother bridge between graduation and the first full-time skilled role.

Question 5

How long until I can apply for ILR?

Accepted Answer

Most work and family routes lead to ILR after five continuous qualifying years; Global Talent (in some endorsement bands), Innovator Founder, and ancestry visas can lead to settlement after three years. You must meet the absence rule, English-language requirement, and Life in the UK test at the point of application.

Question 6

What documents make refusal risk highest?

Accepted Answer

Bank-statement gaps, missing salary evidence (pay slips not lining up with statements), mistakes in the sponsor or CAS reference number, photos that fail UKVCAS standards, and incomplete English-language evidence are the leading sources of refusal letters. The UK refusal-reasons guide lists the specific paragraphs of the rules that trigger each refusal type.

United Kingdom forms

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Most common forms

Appendix Domestic Worker Statement: Domestic Worker Statement

Certificate of Sponsorship: Certificate of Sponsorship

SU07: Sponsorship Undertaking

VAF4A Appendix 1: Family Settlement Application - Children and Dependent Relatives

VAF4A Appendix 5: Family Settlement Application - Access Rights

Form AN: Application for Naturalisation as a British Citizen

Form MN1: Registration of a Child Under 18 as a British Citizen

BRP Replacement Application: Biometric Residence Permit Replacement

General

UK Visa Online Application: UK Visa Online Application

Medical

TB Test Certificate: Tuberculosis Test Certificate

Study

CAS Statement: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

Residency

ILR Online Application: Indefinite Leave to Remain Application

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