How to Apply for Tier 2 Work Visa Jobs in the UK

Do you fantasize about working in the busy financial center of London, or in the promising technological city of Manchester? In 2025.1, the UK immigration system has been radically transformed as the old system known as Tier 2 has been renamed Skilled Worker Visa, and the conditions, in particular, salary and abilities, are tougher than before.

By July 2025 the standard salary rate has increased to £41,700 and the skill level required is now at RQF Level 6 (degree level) in most cases to achieve the UK work visa without the dread of being rejected.2 This guide will give you the step by step road map you need to secure your work visa in the UK without the fear of being refused.

Master the Keywords

You have to include and know these terms: to get around automated recruitment filters and guarantee your application is Home Office Ready.
Skilled Worker Visa: The 2025 transformation of the previous Tier 2 (General) route.
70-Point Threshold: A ticket to the entrance. You require 50 mandatory points (job offer, skill level, English) and 20 tradable points (typically, based on salary).4
SOC 2020 Code: Your standard job description. Note: You will need to use the 2020 codes; the previous 2010 codes will also be rejected right away.
Defined Cos (D Cos): In case of an external application to the UK, then your employer should apply to have this particular digital certificate on your behalf. The process of approval typically requires 121 working days.
B2 CEFR Level: Although B1 was the standard, a large number of new 2025/2026 jobs currently demand B2 mastery of the English language.6
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Number: The number you receive after paying the health fee (Approximately £1,035/year). It is not possible to turn in your visa without it.

How to Apply in 2025

Application to a UK work visa is a stake-high joint undertaking.7 When there is a discrepancy between your Certificate of Sponsorship (Cos) and your passport, it may lead to loss of application fee.

The Documentation Audit

Prior to initiating your online application on the GOV.UK portal, you should have:

Cos Number of 11 digits: Given to you by your employer.8
Salary Check: Check that your offer is not less than or equal to the going rate or that which was offered by your code in the SOC-code that is, at least 41,700.9.
Maintenance Funds: You have to demonstrate at least 28 consecutive days of at least £1,270 in your bank unless your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS.10

The e visa Era Proving Your Identity

The UK has already shifted to digital-first immigration.11 You will probably scan your biometric passport and face using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” smartphone application, which will give you your e Visa, so you do not need a physical BRP card anymore with many nationalities.

Top Sectors Sponsoring in 2025

Although the bar is greater, the recruitment of international talent is currently being pursued in these sectors:

Tech & AI: Occupations such as Machine Learning Engineers and Cybersquatting Analysts often do not have the top salary limit in case they are included in the Immigration Salary List (ISL).
Engineering: Civil and Mechanical Engineering: The engineering sector remains in demand and especially when it comes to infrastructure developments in the North of England.
Healthcare: A Health and Care Worker Visa is applied by Doctors and Nurses and has reduced fee and reduced decision time of 3 weeks.

The escape of the “Genuineness” Refusal

The Genuineness Test is the most prevalent reason given as the reason of refusal today. Caseworkers are examining the roles such that they are not established to give somebody a visa.

Top Tip: Your job description in the Cos should be very detailed. Assuming that you are a Senior Developer, but your Cos shows generic office tasks, the Home Office would put the Home Office on notice that the skill level applied is a mismatch and reject the visa.

FAQs

What is RQF Level 6 and why would that be important?

In 2025, the government of the UK increased the skill bar. The majority of jobs that are sponsored have to be at RQF Level 6, which coincides with a Bachelor of Degree. Lower level roles (RQF 3–5) are not normally available unless they are on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL) or the Immigration Salary List (ISL).

Is there a change in English Language requirement?

At the moment, you require B1 level (intermediate). But this will be elevated to B2 level (upper-intermediate) on all new Skilled Worker applications as of January 8, 2026. When you apply before this date then the B1 standard remains.

Is it possible to change Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa?

Yes! This is a very common route. On changing jobs you usually become a so-called New Entrant and your employer can sponsor you at a reduced salary of £33,400 in the first 4 years of employment.

Final Thought

The Certificate of Sponsorship (Cos) has a date. You should present your visa application not later than 3 months as of the date when the Cos was assigned to you, or your employer will be obliged to issue (and pay the money on) a new one.16

Disclaimer

Such information about a job is distributed with the purpose of education and information. Before applying, please ensure that you have checked information on the official employer or GOV.UK site.