Are you a skilled worker who wants a real UK job offer in 2025? The UK is still a great place for talented people from other countries, but the rules have become much stricter. Now only high-skilled and high-paid jobs can get a visa easily. To succeed, you need to know the Skilled Worker Visa rules and look only for UK companies that have a Sponsor Licence. This simple guide explains everything in easy words. It shows the jobs that UK really needs right now and gives you a clear step-by-step plan to apply.
The Core Route: Understanding the Skilled Worker Visa UK
The Skilled Worker Visa is the main way to work in the UK now. It replaced the old Tier 2 visa. You need 70 points to get this visa.
Mandatory Requirements (50 Points)
You must have all three things below:
- Sponsorship (20 points) You need a real job offer from a UK company that has a Sponsor Licence. The company will give you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Always check if the company is on the official Home Office list of licensed sponsors.
- Appropriate Skill Level (20 points) The job must be at RQF Level 6 or higher. This is the same level as a UK university degree. Most jobs below this level cannot get a visa unless they are on a special shortage list.
- Minimum Salary Threshold (10 points) Your salary must be the higher of these two:
- £41,700 per year (new general minimum from July 2025) OR
- 100% of the normal “going rate” for that job in the UK.
Tradeable Points Options (20 Points)
If your salary is a little lower, you can still get the visa if:
- The job is on the Immigration Salary List (shortage jobs)
- You are a new entrant (under 26 or recent graduate)
- You have a PhD in a related subject
Important: From 2025 the general salary is now £41,700 and most jobs need degree level. This makes the visa harder to get.
High-Demand Roles and The Immigration Salary List (ISL)
Your best chance is to apply for jobs the UK really needs. These jobs are on the Immigration Salary List (ISL). They sometimes allow a lower salary.
The Healthcare and Engineering Crisis
These two areas need workers the most:
Healthcare and Social Care
- NHS jobs for nurses, doctors, and health professionals
- Health and Care Visa for care workers and senior care workers (salary can be around £25,000–£30,000 for some roles)
STEM and Technical Jobs
- Software developers, programmers, cyber security experts
- Civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers
- IT business analysts
- Laboratory technicians (only if the job meets RQF Level 6 or special rules)
Geo-Targeted Opportunities
London has many jobs, but competition is very high and living costs are expensive. Try these places instead:
- Manchester – growing city for tech and finance jobs
- Scotland – many healthcare jobs and sometimes extra help for overseas workers
- Northern England and Midlands – lower competition and many licensed sponsors
The Application Strategy: How to Find Sponsor Licence Jobs UK
Finding a company with a Sponsor Licence is the most important step.
Your Job Search Strategy
- Use the Official List Go to the GOV.UK website and download the “Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors”. This list is updated every week and shows every company that can give you a CoS.
- Search Smart on Job Websites Use words like:
- “visa sponsorship available”
- “Skilled Worker visa”
- “Tier 2 sponsorship” (old name but still used)
- “CoS” or “Certificate of Sponsorship”
Good websites: LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed, Totaljobs, NHS Jobs, CWJobs (for IT).
- Contact Companies Directly Many big companies sponsor every year: NHS Trusts, Amazon, Google, Deloitte, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, and many universities.
The Visa Application Process Simplified
When you have the job offer and CoS, follow these steps:
- Collect Documents
- Valid passport
- TB test certificate (if you are from certain countries)
- Bank statements (unless your employer certifies maintenance)
- English test result (usually B1 level – IELTS 4.0 or higher in each part)
- Prove English Language Most people need B1 level now. From January 2026 it may become B2 for new applicants.
- Pay the Fees
- Visa application fee (£625–£1,500 depending on length and country)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – about £1,035 per year
- Your employer pays the Immigration Skills Charge (different fee)
- Submit Online and Wait Processing time is usually 3–8 weeks. You can pay extra for faster decision (5 working days or 1 day in some countries).
Take the Next Step
- Download the latest list of licensed sponsors from GOV.UK today.
- Make your CV in UK style (2 pages maximum, clear and simple).
- Start applying only to jobs that say “visa sponsorship available”.
- Prepare your English test and documents now – it saves time later.
The rules are strict in 2025, but thousands of skilled workers still move to the UK every year in healthcare, IT, engineering, and science. If you have the right skills and find a licensed sponsor, your dream UK job is possible.
Disclaimer:
This information is for education only. UK visa rules change often. Always check the official GOV.UK or Home Office website for the latest salary thresholds, skill levels, and application rules before you pay any money or make plans.