Skilled Worker Visa — United Kingdom

You can bring certain family members with you under the UK Skilled Worker visa.

Eligibility depends on your relationship and your sponsor’s immigration status, and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will assess both carefully.

Who qualifies

Your dependents must have a qualifying relationship with you or with a person who holds status in the UK.

Under work routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, Scale-up Visa, or Graduate Trainee Visa, you may apply to bring:

• Your spouse
• Your partner
• Your child under 18 (if you are the parent)

If your family member holds British citizenship or settled status, you may apply as their spouse or partner under the relevant family route instead of as a Skilled Worker dependent.

If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and your close family member lived in the UK by 31 December 2020 with pre-settled or settled status, you may qualify under the EU Settlement Scheme family route.

Applying for family visas

Each dependent must submit their own visa application to UKVI.

You cannot add them informally to your Form Certificate of Sponsorship.

The process generally involves:

1. Confirming your visa type (for example, Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa).

2. Verifying the dependent relationship.

3. Submitting an online application to UKVI.

4. Providing supporting documents.

If you are relying on the EU Settlement Scheme, you must show that your qualifying family member was resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 and holds pre-settled or settled status.

Where relevant, you must provide evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status.

This may include proof that the main applicant holds a valid work visa such as a Skilled Worker or Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

UKVI decides the application.

UK Border Force assesses entry at the border once a visa is granted.

Evidence and relationship checks

UKVI will verify both your relationship and your sponsor’s status.

You must provide clear documentary proof.

Common evidence includes:

• Marriage certificate for a spouse
• Proof of partnership meeting the required criteria
• Birth certificate for a child under 18
• Evidence of the main applicant’s visa status
• Proof of settled or pre-settled status, if relying on the EU Settlement Scheme

If your qualifying family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you must show evidence of their UK residence status.

UKVI may review documents closely to confirm the relationship is genuine and meets immigration rules.

Incomplete or inconsistent evidence can delay or lead to refusal, so make sure all documents clearly match your application details.

You must meet strict sponsorship and reporting duties when you hire a worker under the UK Skilled Worker visa.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) expects you to manage sponsorship correctly, assign valid documentation, and maintain accurate records throughout employment.

Sponsorship duties

When you hold a sponsor licence, you accept responsibility for each worker you sponsor under routes such as the Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, and certain Scale-up Visa roles where sponsorship applies.

You must:

• Hold a valid sponsor licence before offering the role
• Ensure the job offer matches your licence permissions
• Confirm that the role details are accurate before sponsorship
• Use the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to manage records

You remain accountable to UKVI for the accuracy of the information linked to each worker’s sponsorship.

If labour certification or a similar approval is required for the role, complete it before you proceed with sponsorship.

Do not assign sponsorship until you verify that all pre‑sponsorship requirements are satisfied.

Assigning certificates of sponsorship

You must assign a Form Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to every foreign worker you employ under the Skilled Worker route.

The CoS contains:

• Your sponsor licence details
• The worker’s role information
• A unique reference number used in the visa application

You assign the CoS through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).

Estimate how many undefined certificates you will need each year and manage your allocation carefully.

You must pay the required Certificate of Sponsorship fee at the time of assignment.

Do not ask the sponsored worker to pay the CoS fee.

The responsibility to assign and pay for the certificate rests with you.

Compliance, fees and record-keeping

You must maintain accurate records for every sponsored worker and ensure the information in SMS matches the actual role and employment details.

UKVI can review your sponsorship activity at any time.

Inaccurate role descriptions, incorrect licence information, or failure to follow sponsorship procedures can affect your licence status.

Key compliance actions include:

1. Keeping copies of sponsorship details and role information

2. Ensuring the CoS reference number matches the worker’s visa application

3. Paying all required sponsorship-related fees in GBP (£)

You remain responsible for compliance from the date you assign the Certificate of Sponsorship until sponsorship ends.

Some Skilled Worker visa applications are straightforward, while others involve timing risks or eligibility problems that can lead to refusal.

You should know when your employer can manage the process and when legal advice can reduce avoidable mistakes.

When the employer usually handles the case

Many Skilled Worker visa applications proceed smoothly when your employer already understands the UKVI sponsorship process.

If your employer issues a valid Form Certificate of Sponsorship and confirms that your role matches the eligible occupation list, you often do not need separate legal representation.

Your employer commonly manages:

• Assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship
• Confirming the job fits the eligible occupation list
• Ensuring your start date aligns with the visa application window
• Coordinating timing so you do not apply more than 3 months before the job start date

Large sponsors using routes such as the Health and Care Worker Visa, Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, Scale-up Visa, or Graduate Trainee Visa often have internal compliance teams.

You may not need a lawyer if:

• You have a confirmed job offer
• Your role clearly matches the eligible occupation list
• Your employer provides accurate sponsorship details

If any of these elements are missing, the risk of refusal increases.

Complex situations that often need a lawyer

You should seek professional help when your case does not meet basic application conditions.

Applying without a confirmed job offer will lead to refusal.

A lawyer can confirm whether your employment documentation satisfies UKVI requirements before you submit.

You also need advice if:

• Your job title does not clearly match the eligible occupation list
• Your employer is unsure which sponsorship route applies
• You plan to apply more than 3 months before your employment start date

Timing errors matter.

Submitting too early can invalidate the application even if the role itself qualifies.

If your situation overlaps with other sponsored routes, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa or Scale-up Visa, legal review helps confirm you use the correct category instead of risking refusal under the wrong one.

You can verify official requirements and updates directly through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), but a lawyer can assess how those rules apply to your specific job and timeline.

You pay government fees to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and your employer pays for your sponsorship documents.

processing times vary by visa route and where you apply, but many Skilled Worker applications are decided in about three weeks.

Fees breakdown

Your main application fee depends on your role and route.

Published figures include £1,423, £1,235, £625, and £624 for different Skilled Worker categories and durations.

Use the official UKVI fee schedule to confirm the exact amount for your circumstances, including whether you apply under the Health and Care Worker Visa or another Skilled Worker subcategory.

Your employer must assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply.

If you switch from routes such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Intra-company Transfer Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, or Scale-up Visa, confirm the correct Skilled Worker fee category with UKVI before submitting payment.

Processing time examples and variability

UKVI currently processes many Skilled Worker (Form SU07) applications in about 3 weeks.

The same approximate timeframe applies to related CoS document processing in the Skilled Worker route.

Processing times vary based on:

• Your country of application
• The specific visa category (for example, Health and Care Worker Visa vs. other Skilled Worker roles)
• Whether your sponsor has correctly issued the Certificate of Sponsorship

UKVI may take longer if it needs additional documents or verification.

Always check the official UKVI processing time guidance before you apply, as times can change by location and visa type.

Your visa conditions depend on the job you accept, the sponsor that assigns your Form Certificate of Sponsorship, and where you apply from.

You must keep your role, employer details, and supporting documents consistent with what UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approves.

Visa types and conditional requirements

You must choose the correct work route before you apply.

UKVI decides your application based on the visa type and the details in your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Common work routes linked to employer sponsorship include:

If you apply from outside the UK, you must have a defined CoS.

If you apply from inside the UK, your sponsor assigns an undefined CoS.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before your sponsor assigns the CoS, depending on your role.

You must also provide:

• A valid passport or biometric national identity card
• Your CoS reference number
• Details of your job offer, employer, and salary
• Proof of English language proficiency

Check that your passport details, job title, and salary match the CoS exactly before you submit your application.

UKVI will assess your application against those details.

Changing jobs and portability rules

Your permission to stay is tied to the job and sponsor listed on your CoS. You can't move to a new employer without proper immigration action.

If you want to change employers, secure a new sponsor and a new CoS before applying to update your permission. The new role must match the details provided to UKVI.

Key portability principles:

1. Your visa is linked to your sponsoring employer.

2. Your approved role and salary must match your CoS.

3. Any change in employment requires formal action with UKVI.

Routes like the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, and Intra-company Transfer Visa are built around specific organisational assignments. Moving outside that structure generally means submitting a new application under the correct category.

Make sure your new sponsor assigns the correct type of CoS before submitting any application to UKVI.

Special clearances and matching details

Some roles require additional clearance before sponsorship can proceed. If your role involves sensitive academic or technical fields, you may need an ATAS certificate before your sponsor assigns your CoS.

Every detail must match across your documents:

Errors between your CoS and passport can delay or undermine your application.

Before submitting, check:

• Your CoS reference number
• Employer details
• English language evidence
• Personal details matching your passport

UKVI assesses your application strictly against the information provided. Accuracy protects your status and can prevent avoidable refusals.

You must submit clear, complete evidence confirming your identity, your job offer from a licensed sponsor, and your ability to meet language and financial rules. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will assess your documents against your Form Certificate of Sponsorship.

Identity and travel documents

Prove your identity and current immigration status.

Provide:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Your biographical details (full name, date of birth, nationality)
• Details of your current immigration status, if applying from inside the UK
• Evidence of relevant skills and qualifications, if required for your role

Your passport must match the personal details listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Any discrepancy can cause delays.

If you apply with dependants, include documents confirming their identity and biographical details. UKVI will compare each applicant’s details with the main Skilled Worker record.

If you hold or previously held another UK work route, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (formerly Intra-company Transfer Visa), Graduate Trainee Visa, Scale-up Visa, or Health and Care Worker Visa, declare your current status accurately.

Employment and sponsorship evidence

Your application must link directly to a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a UKVI-licensed employer.

Submit:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• Confirmation of your job title and sponsor details
• Evidence your employer is a licensed sponsor
• Any required skills or qualification documents

UKVI checks that your sponsor holds a valid licence under the Skilled Worker route. The job details in your application must match the CoS exactly.

If assigned a specific sponsorship category, such as Graduate Trainee Visa or Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, your CoS must reflect that route. For certain sponsor-related updates, employers may use internal processes such as Form SU07, but your responsibility is to ensure your assigned CoS is accurate at the time you apply.

If requested, provide proof of your sponsor’s UK presence, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council letter.

English, financial and family documents

You must prove you meet the English language requirement.

Provide:

• Evidence of your knowledge of English
• Documentation confirming you meet the required standard under UKVI rules

If you apply with a spouse, civil partner, or children, include proof of your relationship. Acceptable documents include:

• Marriage certificate
• Civil partnership certificate
• Birth certificate for children

Each dependant must show their relationship to you clearly and consistently across all documents.

Demonstrate financial stability where required. Provide evidence that you meet the financial requirement under the Skilled Worker route.

UKVI makes all visa decisions. Refer to current UK government guidance for document formats and requirements before submitting your application.