Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker route is for employers to recruit people to work in the UK, including in UK waters, in a specific job. A Skilled Worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a Home Office-approved sponsor.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply on this route.

Skilled Worker is a route to settlement.

  1. SW A1.1. For the purpose of this Appendix “Health and Care ASHE salary job” means a job in one of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes:
    1. • 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
    2. • 1231 Health care practice managers
    3. • 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
    4. • 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
    5. • 2114 Physical scientists
    6. • 3111 Laboratory technicians
    7. • 3211 Dispensing opticians
    8. • 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians
    9. • 6135 Care workers and home carers
    10. • 6136 Senior care workers;
  2. where the applicant is sponsored, employed or engaged:
    1. (a) by one of the following:
      1. England
      2. • an NHS Foundation Trust
      3. • an NHS Trust
      4. • the Care Quality Commission
      5. • Health Education England
      6. • Health Research Authority
      7. • Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority
      8. • Human Tissue Authority
      9. • Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
      10. • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
      11. • NHS Blood and Transplant
      12. • NHS Business Services Authority
      13. • NHS Digital (the Health and Social Care Information Centre)
      14. • NHS England (the NHS Commissioning Board)
      15. • NHS Improvement (Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority
      16. • NHS Resolution (the NHS Litigation Authority)
      17. •UK Health Security Agency
      18. • a Local Authority or Clinical Commissioning Group
      19. Wales
      20. • a local Health Board
      21. • Health Education & Improvement Wales
      22. • Public Health Wales
      23. • The Welsh Ambulance Service
      24. • Velindre NHS Trust
      25. Scotland
      26. • A Health Board or Special Health Board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978
      27. • Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service (established under Section 10 of that Act)
      28. • Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (known as the Care Inspectorate) established under Section 44 of the Public Services (reform) (Scotland) Act 2010
      29. •Scottish Social Services Council established under section 43 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001
      30. Northern Ireland
      31. • A Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland
      32. • Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
      33. • Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency
      34. • Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency
      35. • Northern Ireland Practice and Education Committee
      36. • Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Patient and Client Council
      37. • Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-Being (the Public Health Agency)
      38. • Regional Business Services Organisation
      39. • Regional Health and Social Care Board
      40. • Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
  3. or
    1. (b) to provide, or to support the provision of, regulated activities as prescribed in Schedule 1 (read with Schedule 2) to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2936), and who is also employed or engaged by an institution or organisation registered with the Care Quality Commission; or
    2. (c) for the purposes of an establishment or agency in Wales regulated under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; or
    3. (d) for the purposes of a service regulated under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016; or
    4. (e) on a general medical services contract to provide primary medical services, or an agreement for the provision of primary medical services under section 50 of the NHS (Wales) Act 2006; or
    5. (f) on a general dental services contract to provide primary dental services, or an agreement for the provision of primary dental services under section 64 of the NHS (Wales) Act 2006; or
    6. (g) to provide care services as defined in section 47(1) of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and registered under that Act; or
    7. (h) by an organisation registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland; or
    8. (i) in connection with the provision of services under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 by, a party (other than a Health Board) to one of the following:
      1. • an arrangement to provide services under section 2C of that Act
      2. • an agreement to provide services under section 17C of that Act
      3. • a contract to provide services under section 17J of that Act
      4. • an arrangement to provide services under section 25, 26 or 27 of that Act; or
    9. (j) by a General Practitioner Federation or by any entity with which the Northern Ireland Regional Health and Social Care Board has a contract or an arrangement under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 to provide Family Practitioner Services; or
    10. (k) by a body registered with, or monitored or inspected by, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority; or
    11. (l) or registered with, one of the following organisations:
      1. • General Chiropractic Council
      2. • General Dental Council
      3. • General Medical Council
      4. • General Optical Council
      5. • General Osteopathic Council
      6. • General Pharmaceutical Council
      7. • Health and Care Professions Council
      8. • Northern Ireland Social Care Council
      9. • Nursing and Midwifery Council
      10. • Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
      11. •Scottish Social Services Council (under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001)
      12. • Social Care Wales; or
    12. (m) an organisation providing adult social care services, meaning any services which an English Local Authority must or may provide or arrange to be provided under:
      1. (i) section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 – (After-care); or
      2. (ii) Part 1 of the Care Act 2014 (Care and Support).

Validity requirements for a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Skilled Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
    1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Skilled Worker visa”; or
    2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Skilled Worker”.
  1. SW 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Skilled Worker must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided any required biometrics; and
    3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
    4. (d) the applicant must have a certificate of sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.

SW 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SW 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay, who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

  1. SW 1.5. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
    1. (a) as a Visitor; or
    2. (b) as a Short-term student; or
    3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
    4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
    5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
    6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
  1. SW 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
    1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
    2. (b) Condition B:
      1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
      2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SW 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
    3. (c) Condition C:
      1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
      2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SW 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

SW 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Skilled Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Skilled Worker

SW 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

  1. SW 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
    1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
    2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker

Entry requirements for a Skilled Worker

SW 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a Skilled Worker must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Skilled Worker before they arrive in the UK.

SW 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a Skilled Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a Skilled Worker

SW 4.1. The applicant must be awarded 50 mandatory points from the table below. Details of how these points are awarded are set out in SW 5.1. to SW 7.4.

Mandatory points requirements Relevant rules Points
Sponsorship SW 5.1. to SW 5.7. 20
Job at an appropriate skill level SW 6.1. to SW 6.5. 20
English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) SW 7.1. to SW 7.3. 10
  1. SW 4.2. The applicant must be awarded 20 points from one of the options in the table below and for the purpose of meeting these points:
    1. (a) an applicant can only be awarded points from options A to E, unless they meet the requirements in (b) or (c).
    2. (b) An applicant can only be awarded points from options F to J if:
      1. (i) they are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
      2. (ii) the date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).
    3. (c) An applicant can only be awarded points from option K if they are being sponsored for a job in an appropriate eligible SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

SW 4.3. Details of how these points are awarded are set out in the table and in SW 8.1. to SW 13.3. The salary for each option will be considered as set out in SW 14.1. to SW 14.5.

SW 4.4. If the requirements for the relevant option are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points. However, no points will be awarded if the applicant is not also being awarded the 20 points for sponsorship under SW 5.7. and the 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level under SW 6.4.

Option Requirements Relevant further rules Points
A The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
• £38,700 per year; and
• the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 8.1. 20
B The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £34,830 per year; and
• 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.
SW 9.1. to SW 9.4 20
C The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £30,960 per year; and
• 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 10.1. to SW 10.3. 20
D The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £30,960 per year; and
• the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code		 SW 11.1. to SW 11.3. 20
E The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £30,960 per year and
• 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 12.1. to SW 12.3. 20
F The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
• £29,000 per year; and
• the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 8.1 20
G The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £26,100 per year; and
• 90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 9.1 to 9.4 20
H The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £23,200 per year; and
• 80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 10.1 to 10.3. 20
I The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £23,200 per year; and
• the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 11.1. to 11.3. 20
J The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £23,200 per year; and
• 70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 12.1. to 12.3. 20
K The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:
• £23,200 per year; and
• the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code.		 SW 13.1. to 13.3. 20

Points for sponsorship (mandatory)

  1. SW 5.1. The applicant must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job they are planning to do; which to be valid must:
    1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a Skilled Worker, details of the job and salary the sponsor is offering them and PAYE details if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requires income tax and National Insurance for the sponsored job to be paid via PAYE; and
    2. (b) if the application is for entry clearance, have been allocated by the Home Office to that sponsor for the specific job and salary details shown; and
    3. (c) include a start date, stated by the sponsor, which is no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
    4. (d) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
    5. (e) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and (f) confirm whether or not the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies.

SW 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor the job in question under the Skilled Worker route.

SW 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Skilled Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

SW 5.4. The sponsor must have paid in full any required Immigration Skills Charge.

  1. SW 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
    1. (a) does not exist; or
    2. (b) is a sham; or
    3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
  1. SW 5.6. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
    1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
    2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.

SW 5.6A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.

SW 5.7. If the requirements in SW 5.1. to SW 5.6A. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 mandatory points for sponsorship.

Points for a job at the appropriate skill level (mandatory)

SW 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code (or, where relevant, an eligible job within a SOC 2020 occupation code) listed as eligible in Appendix Skilled Occupations or Appendix Immigration Salary List, subject to SW 6.1A. and SW 6.2.

  1. SW 6.1A. If the applicant:
    1. (a) is applying for permission to stay; and
    2. (b) was previously granted permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in the SOC 2010 occupation code “6145 Care workers and home carers” or “6146 Senior care workers”, under the Rules in force before 11 March 2024; and
    3. (c) since then, has continuously had permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in either or both these SOC 2010 occupation codes, or SOC 2020 occupation codes “6135 Care workers and home carers” or “6136 Senior care workers” (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded); and
    4. (d) is applying to continue working with the same sponsor as in their most recent grant of permission,
  2. the Care Quality Commission regulation requirement for these occupation codes does not apply.
  1. SW 6.2. The sponsor must choose an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code for any of the following reasons:
    1. (a) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not eligible under the Skilled Worker route; or
    2. (b) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code has a higher going rate than the proposed salary; or
    3. (c) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not on the Immigration Salary List and the applicant is claiming points for a job on the Immigration Salary List; or
    4. (d) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not listed as “eligible for PhD points” in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations and the applicant is claiming points for an educational qualification.
  1. SW 6.3. To support the assessment in SW 6.2., the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
    1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
    2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
    3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
    4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

SW 6.3A. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

SW 6.4. If the requirements in SW 6.1. to SW 6.3A. are met, an applicant will be awarded 20 mandatory points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to SW 6.5.

SW 6.5. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded the 20 mandatory points for sponsorship under SW 5.7.

Points for the English language requirement (mandatory)

SW 7.1. An applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of at least level B1 (intermediate).

SW 7.2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

SW 7.3. If the requirements in SW 7.1. to SW 7.2. are met, the applicant will be awarded 10 mandatory points for meeting the English language requirement.

Points options A and F

  1. SW 8.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code (or, where relevant, an eligible job within a SOC 2020 occupation code) listed in:
    1. (a) Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option A; or
    2. (b) Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option F; or
    3. (c) Tables 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option F, and the applicant meets the requirement in SW 4.2(b)(ii), and is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission;
  2. and the applicant must meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown for the relevant option in that table.

Points options B and G

  1. SW 9.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed as being “eligible for PhD points” in:
    1. (a) Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option B; or
    2. (b) Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option G; or
    3. (c) Tables 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option G, and the applicant meets the requirement in SW 4.2(b)(ii) and is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission,
  2. and the applicant must meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown for the relevant option in that table.

SW 9.2. The applicant must have a UK PhD or other academic doctoral qualification, or an overseas academic qualification which Ecctis confirms meets the recognised standard of a UK PhD.

SW 9.3. The applicant’s sponsor must have provided a credible explanation of how the qualification is relevant to the job for which the applicant is being sponsored.

SW 9.4. If the applicant has been correctly awarded points for an educational qualification in a previous grant of permission as a Skilled Worker, the applicant does not need to provide evidence of the qualification again, but the sponsor must still have provided the explanation of how the qualification is relevant to the job for which the applicant is being sponsored.

Points options C and H

  1. SW 10.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed as being “eligible for PhD points” in:
    1. (a) Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option C; or
    2. (b) Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option H; or
    3. (c) Tables 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option H, and the applicant meets the requirement in SW 4.2(b)(ii) and is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission,
  2. and the applicant must meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown for the relevant option in that table.

SW 10.2. The applicant must meet the requirements in SW 9.2. to SW 9.4.

SW 10.3. The applicant’s sponsor must have provided a credible explanation that the qualification in question is in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) subject.

Points options D and I

SW 11.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code (or, where relevant, an eligible job within a SOC 2020 occupation code) listed in Appendix Immigration Salary List for the nation of the UK where that job is based, unless SW 11.2. applies.

  1. SW 11.2. If, on or before the date the sponsor assigned the Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant, the applicant’s job was removed from Appendix Immigration Salary List (or the previous Appendix Shortage Occupation List), both of the following conditions must be met:
    1. (a) the applicant’s most recent permission was as a Skilled Worker in which they were sponsored to work in a job listed in Appendix Immigration Salary List (or the previous Appendix Shortage Occupation List) under the applicable rules at that time; and
    2. (b) the applicant is being sponsored to continue working in the same job for the same sponsor as in their previous permission.

SW 11.3. The applicant must meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown in Table 1 (if being awarded points under option D) or Table 2 (if being awarded points under option I) of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Points options E and J

  1. SW 12.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code (or, where relevant, an eligible job within a SOC 2020 occupation code) listed in:
    1. (a) Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option E; or
    2. (b) Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option J; or
    3. (c) Tables 2 or 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations, if being awarded points under option J, and the applicant meets the requirement in SW 4.2(b)(ii) and is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their most recent permission,
  2. and the applicant must meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown for the relevant option in that table.
  1. SW 12.2. The applicant must meet one or more of the following requirements:
    1. (a) the applicant must be under the age of 26 on the date of application; or
    2. (b) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored must be a postdoctoral position in any of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes:
      1. • 2111 Chemical scientists
      2. • 2112 Biological scientists
      3. • 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
      4. • 2114 Physical scientists
      5. • 2115 Social and humanities scientists
      6. • 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
      7. • 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline
      8. • 2311 Higher education teaching professionals; or
    3. (c) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored must be in a UK Regulated Profession and the applicant must be working towards a recognised professional qualification for that profession; or
    4. (d) the applicant must be working towards full registration or chartered status with the relevant professional body for the job for which they are being sponsored; or
    5. (e) all of the following conditions apply:
      1. (i) the applicant’s most recent permission (disregarding any permission as a visitor) was as a Student; and
      2. (ii) if that Student permission has expired, it must have expired less than 2 years before the date of application; and
      3. (iii) in that Student permission or any previous permission as a Student, the applicant was sponsored to study one of the following courses (not any other qualifications of an equivalent level):
        1. • a UK bachelor’s degree; or
        2. • a UK master’s degree; or
        3. • a UK PhD or other doctoral qualification; or
        4. • a Postgraduate Certificate in Education; or
        5. • a Professional Graduate Diploma of Education; and
      4. (iv) the applicant has completed (or is applying no more than 3 months before they are expected to complete) the course in SW 12.2(e)(iii) above, or the applicant is currently studying for a PhD for which they have completed at least 12 months study in the UK, or
    6. (f) the applicant’s most recent permission (disregarding any permission as a visitor) was as a Graduate, and if that permission has expired, it must have expired less than 2 years before the date of application.

SW 12.3. Granting the application must not mean the applicant’s combined permission as a Skilled Worker, Graduate and/or Tier 2 Migrant would be more than 4 years in total, whether or not the permission is for a continuous period.

Points option K

SW 13.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code (or, where relevant, an eligible job within a SOC 2020 occupation code) listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations and meet the relevant going rate salary requirement shown in Table 3, 4 or 5 of that Appendix.

  1. SW 13.2. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes:
    1. • 2231 Midwifery nurses
    2. •2232 Community nurses
    3. • 2233 Specialist nurses
    4. • 2234 Nurse practitioners
    5. • 2235 Mental health nurses
    6. • 2236 Children’s nurses
    7. • 2237 Other nursing professionals
  2. their salary may be temporarily (for up to 8 months) less than the £23,200 per year required under points option K in either of the following circumstances:
    1. (a) the applicant has previously held Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration and is undertaking an NMC-approved programme with a view to returning to practice; or
    2. (b) the applicant is working towards NMC registration, and both of the following apply:
      1. (i) the applicant has passed the NMC’s English language requirements and Computer Based Test of competence, before the date of application; and
      2. (ii) the applicant will sit an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to obtain NMC registration no later than 3 months after the stated job start date.
  1. SW 13.3. Where SW 13.2. applies:
    1. (a) the sponsor must have confirmed that the applicant will stop being sponsored if they do not achieve full NMC registration within 8 months of the job start date (if the applicant was last granted permission to work in one of the SOC 2020 occupation codes in SW 13.2, or either of the SOC 2010 occupation codes “2231 Nurses” or “2232 Midwives”, on the Skilled Worker route, the 8 months is counted from the start date of the job they were sponsored to do in their most recent permission); and
    2. (b) during the 8 months in (a), or until the applicant achieves NMC registration (if sooner), the applicant’s salary must be at least equal to the appropriate Agenda for Change Band 3 rate, as stated in Table 4 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Consideration of salary (all tradeable points options)

SW 14.1. Salary only includes guaranteed basic gross pay (before income tax and including employee pension and national insurance contributions) and other guaranteed payments which are treated exactly the same as basic gross pay for tax, pension and national insurance purposes .

  1. SW 14.2. Salary does not include other pay and benefits, such as any of the following:
    1. (a) pay which cannot be guaranteed because the nature of the job means that hours fluctuate; or
    2. (b) additional pay such as shift, overtime or bonus pay, (whether or not it is guaranteed); or
    3. (c) employer pension and employer national insurance contributions; or
    4. (d) any allowances, such as accommodation or cost of living allowances; or
    5. (e) in-kind benefits, such as equity shares, health insurance, school or university fees, company cars or food; or
    6. (f) one-off payments, such as ‘golden hellos’; or
    7. (g) any payments relating to immigration costs, such as the fee or Immigration Health Charge; or
    8. (h) payments to cover business expenses, including (but not limited to) travel to and from the applicant’s country of residence, equipment, clothing, travel or subsistence.

SW 14.3. If the applicant is being sponsored to work more than 48 hours a week, subject to SW 14.3A, only the salary for the first 48 hours a week will be considered towards the salary thresholds of £38,700, £34,830, £30,960, £29,000, £26,100 or £23,200 per year referred to in SW 8.1. to SW 13.7.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week for £10 per hour will be considered to have a salary of £24,960 (£10 x 48 x 52) per year and not £31,200 (£10 x 60 x 52).

  1. SW 14.3A. If the applicant is being sponsored to work a pattern where the regular hours are not the same each week, resulting in uneven pay:
    1. (a) work in excess of 48 hours in some weeks can be considered towards the salary thresholds, providing the average over a regular cycle (which can be less than, but not more than, 17 weeks) is not more than 48 hours a week; and
    2. (b) any unpaid rest weeks will count towards the average when considering whether the salary thresholds are met; and
    3. (c) any unpaid rest weeks will not count as absences from employment for the purpose of paragraph 9.30.1 in Part 9 of these rules.
  2. For example, an applicant who works a pattern of 60 hours a week for £12 per hour for two weeks, followed by an unpaid rest week, will be considered to work 40 hours a week on average and have a salary of £24,960 (£12 x 40 x 52) per year.
  1. SW 14.4. Going rates will be pro-rated to the applicant’s working pattern, as follows:
    1. (a) going rates for SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Tables 1 to 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations are based on a 37.5-hour week and will be pro-rated as follows:
  2. (the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code stated in Tables 1 to 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations) x (the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor ÷ 37.5)
    1. (b) where an applicant’s salary is required to be 70%, 80% or 90% of the going rate, the resulting figure from the calculation in (a) will be multiplied by 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 as appropriate, to calculate the required salary; and.
    2. (c) going rates for the health and education SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Tables 3 to 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations will be pro-rated as stated in Appendix Skilled Occupations; and
    3. (d) the applicant’s full weekly hours will be included when checking their salary against the going rate, even if they work more than 48 hours a week.

Transitional arrangements for salary on the Skilled Worker route

  1. SW 14.5. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay or settlement, the applicant was granted permission as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant and has had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker ever since, the following transitional arrangements apply:
    1. (a) if the date of application is before 1 December 2026 salary may also include allowances (the other restrictions in SW 14.20 also apply), providing the following conditions are met:
      1. (i) the applicant is applying to work for the same sponsor as in their previous permission; and
      2. (ii) the allowances are guaranteed, will be paid for the duration of the applicant’s permission, and would be paid to a local settled worker in similar circumstances, such as London weighting; and
    2. (b) DELETED
    3. (c) if the applicant:
      1. (i) was sponsored to work in one of the SOC 2010 occupation codes in the table below at the time they applied for their last permission as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant; and
      2. (ii) has continued to be sponsored in that SOC 2010 occupation code or an equivalent SOC 2020 occupation code ever since (whether as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant and/or as a Skilled Worker); and
      3. (iii) the date of application is before 1 December 2026;
  2. the going rates in the table below apply, instead of the going rates listed in Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations. These going rates are based on a 40-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor:
SOC 2010 occupation code Equivalent SOC 2020 occupation code(s) Going rate – option F 90% of going rate – option G 80% of going rate – options H and I 70% of going rate – option J
2113 Physical scientists • 2114 Physical scientists £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour)
2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified • 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline		 £29,000 (£13.94 per hour) £26,100 (£12.55 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour)
2311 Higher education teaching professionals • 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline
• 2311 Higher education teaching professionals
• 2322 Education managers		 £33,000 (£15.87 per hour) £29,700 (£14.28 per hour) £26,400 (£12.69 per hour) £24,750 (£11.90 per hour)

SW 14.6. DELETED.

Genuineness requirement for a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 14A.1. The applicant must:
    1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
    2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by SW 18.2.

Financial requirement (mandatory) for a Skilled Worker

SW 15.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

  1. SW 15.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, either:
    1. (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
    2. (b) the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.

SW 15.3. If SW 15.2.(a) applies, the applicant must show that they have held the required funds for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Criminal record certificate requirement (mandatory) for a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 16.1. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance and is being sponsored for a job in any of the SOC 2020 occupation codes listed below, they must provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant authority in any country in which they have been present for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the 10 years before the date of application, and while aged 18 or over:
    1. • 1171 Health services and public health managers and directors
    2. • 1172 Social services managers and directors
    3. • 1231 Health care practice managers
    4. • 1232 Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
    5. • 1233 Early education and childcare services proprietors
    6. • 2211 Generalist medical practitioners
    7. • 2212 Specialist medical practitioners
    8. • 2221 Physiotherapists
    9. • 2222 Occupational therapists
    10. • 2223 Speech and language therapists
    11. • 2224 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
    12. • 2225 Clinical psychologists
    13. • 2226 Other psychologists
    14. • 2229 Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
    15. • 2231 Midwifery nurses
    16. • 2232 Community nurses
    17. • 2233 Specialist nurses
    18. • 2234 Nurse practitioners
    19. • 2235 Mental health nurses
    20. • 2236 Children’s nurses
    21. • 2237 Other nursing professionals
    22. • 2251 Pharmacists
    23. • 2252 Optometrists
    24. • 2253 Dental practitioners
    25. • 2254 Medical radiographers
    26. • 2255 Paramedics
    27. • 2256 Podiatrists
    28. • 2259 Other health professionals not elsewhere classified
    29. • 2312 Further education teaching professionals
    30. • 2313 Secondary education teaching professionals
    31. • 2314 Primary education teaching professionals
    32. • 2315 Nursery education teaching professionals
    33. • 2316 Special needs education teaching professionals
    34. • 2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language
    35. • 2319 Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified
    36. • 2321 Head teachers and principals
    37. • 2322 Education managers
    38. • 2323 Education advisers and school inspectors
    39. • 2324 Early education and childcare services managers
    40. • 2329 Other educational professionals not elsewhere classified
    41. • 2461 Social workers
    42. • 2462 Probation officers
    43. •2464 Youth work professionals
    44. • 2469 Welfare professionals not elsewhere classified
    45. • 3211 Dispensing opticians
    46. • 3212 Pharmaceutical technicians
    47. • 3213 Medical and dental technicians
    48. • 3214 Complementary health associate professionals
    49. • 3219 Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
    50. • 3221 Youth and community workers
    51. • 3222 Child and early years officers
    52. •3223 Housing officers
    53. • 3224 Counsellors
    54. • 3229 Welfare and housing associate professionals not elsewhere classified
    55. • 3231 Higher level teaching assistants
    56. • 3232 Early education and childcare practitioners
    57. • 3433 Fitness and wellbeing instructors
    58. • 3571 Human resources and industrial relations officers
    59. • 6111 Early education and childcare assistants
    60. • 6112 Teaching assistants
    61. • 6113 Educational support assistants
    62. • 6114 Childminders
    63. • 6117 Playworkers
    64. • 6131 Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
    65. • 6133 Dental nurses
    66. • 6134 Houseparents and residential wardens
    67. • 6135 Care workers and home carers
    68. • 6136 Senior care workers

SW 16.2. The requirement in SW 16.1. does not apply if the applicant provides a satisfactory explanation why it is not reasonably practicable for them to obtain a criminal record certificate from any or all of the relevant authorities.

Decision on an application as a Skilled Worker

SW 17.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and relevant eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker are met, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SW 17.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a Skilled Worker

SW 18.1. The applicant will be granted entry clearance or permission to stay until 14 days after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship (the end date of the certificate of sponsorship may be up to a maximum of 5 years after the start date of their certificate of sponsorship), subject to SW 18.1A.

SW 18.1A. If the applicant is being sponsored in the SOC 2020 occupation code “2211 Generalist medical practitioners” for General Practitioner (GP) specialty training, they will be granted entry clearance or permission to stay until 4 months after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship.

  1. SW 18.2. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
    1. (a) no access to public funds; and
    2. (b) work is permitted only in the job the applicant is being sponsored for, subject to (c) to (e); and
    3. (c) supplementary employment is permitted, providing the person continues to work in the job for which they are being sponsored (and where the supplementary employment takes place during the 4-month period after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship referred to in SW 18.1A the requirement to continue to work for the sponsor will not apply); and
    4. (d) voluntary work is permitted; and
    5. (e) working out a contractual notice period is permitted, for a job the applicant was lawfully working in on the date of application; and
    6. (f) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
    7. (g) DELETED

Settlement as a Skilled Worker

Validity requirements for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 19.1. A person applying for settlement as a Skilled Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.

  1. SW 19.2. An application for settlement as a Skilled Worker must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) any fee must have been paid; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided any required biometrics; and
    3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
    4. (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.

SW 19.3. The applicant must have, or have last been granted, permission as a Skilled Worker.

SW 19.4. An application which does not meet the validity requirements for settlement as a Skilled worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW20.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal

  1. SW20.2. The applicant must not be:
    1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
    2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for settlement as a Skilled Worker

Qualifying period requirement for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 21.1. The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK.

  1. SW 21.2. The 5-year continuous period must consist of time with permission on any of, or any combination of, the following routes:
    1. (a) Skilled Worker; or
    2. (b) Global talent; or
    3. (c) Innovator Founder; or
    4. (d) T2 Minister of Religion; or
    5. (e) International Sportsperson; or
    6. (f) Representative of an Overseas Business; or
    7. (g) as a Tier 1 Migrant, other than as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant; or
    8. (h) Scale-up; or
    9. (i) permission on any other route, during the time the applicant was waiting for a decision on their application as a Skilled Worker, provided that application:
      1. (i) was for permission to stay; and
      2. (ii) was made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive); and
      3. (iii) was supported on the date of application by a certificate of sponsorship assigned by a licensed sponsor; and
      4. (iv) was granted.

Continuous residence requirement for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 22.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence during the period in SW 21.1.

Knowledge of life in the UK requirement for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 23.1 The applicant must meet the knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

Sponsorship and salary requirement for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 24.1. The sponsor in the applicant’s most recent permission must still be approved by the Home Office to sponsor Skilled Workers on the date of decision.

SW 24.2. The sponsor must confirm that they still require the applicant to work for them for the foreseeable future, and that the applicant is paid, and will be paid for the foreseeable future, at least the salary in SW 24.3.

SW 24.3. Subject to SW 24.4, the applicant’s salary must equal or exceed all three salary requirements shown in the relevant row of the table below.

Applicant’s circumstances General salary Going rate
A All cases where rows B to D do not apply Salary of at least £38,700 per year At least the relevant going rate listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations
B The applicant was sponsored in their most recent permission for a job in Appendix Immigration Salary List, and rows C to E do not apply. Salary of at least £30,960 per year At least the relevant going rate listed in Table 1 of Appendix Skilled Occupations
C The applicant meets the requirements of SW 4.2(b), save that references to being sponsored should be read as meeting the requirements in SW 24.1. to SW 24.2, and rows D and E do not apply. Salary of at least £29,000 per year At least the relevant going rate listed in Tables 2 to 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations
D The applicant was sponsored in their most recent permission for a job in either:

• Appendix Immigration Salary List (or the previous Appendix Shortage Occupation List); or

• a health or education SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations (or a related SOC 2010 occupation code shown in that table);

and, in either case, row E does not apply.		 Salary of at least £23,200 per year At least the relevant going rate listed in Tables 2 to 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations
E The 5-year qualifying period for settlement includes time as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant in which the applicant was sponsored for a job in one of the following SOC 2010 occupation codes:

• 2111 Chemical scientists
• 2112 Biological scientists and biochemists
• 2113 Physical scientists
• 2114 Social and humanities scientists
• 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
• 2150 Research and development managers
• 2311 Higher education teaching professionals		 Salary of at least £23,200 per year At least the going rate in the table at SW 14.5(c), if the applicant has continued to be sponsored in that SOC 2010 occupation code, or the equivalent SOC 2020 occupation code shown in Table 2 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, ever since.
At least the relevant going rate in Tables 2 to 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, in other cases.
  1. SW 24.4. Salary under the table in SW 24.3 is subject to the following:
    1. (a) salary will be considered as set out in SW 14.1. to SW 14.5. (and in SW 14.3., references to the salary thresholds of £38,700, £29,000 or £23,200 per year should be read as including references in the table in SW 24.3 above); and
    2. (b) if the applicant is currently absent from work for one of the reasons set out in Part 9 paragraph 9.30.1, or has returned from such an absence within the month before the date of application, consideration will be based on their salary on their return to work, as stated by their sponsor.

Decision on an application for settlement as a Skilled Worker

SW 25.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements for settlement as a Skilled Worker are met, the applicant will be granted settlement, otherwise the application will be refused.

SW 25.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Dependants of a Skilled Worker

Validity requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 26.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Location of Partner or Child Specified form
Applicant outside the UK Dependant partner visa
Dependant child visa
Applicant inside the UK Dependant partner
Dependant child
  1. SW 26.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Skilled Worker must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided any required biometrics; and
    3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
    4. (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person (P) who:
      1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK on the Skilled Worker route that has not been decided; or
      2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Skilled Worker route; or
      3. (iii) is settled or has become a British citizen, providing that P had permission on the Skilled Worker route when they settled and the applicant either had permission as their partner or child at that time, or the applicant is applying as a child of P and the applicant was born in the UK before P settled.

SW 26.3. If the applicant is applying as a dependent partner they must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

  1. SW 26.4. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
    1. (a) as a Visitor; or
    2. (b) as a Short-term student; or
    3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
    4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
    5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
    6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.
  1. SW 26.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
    1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
    2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
      1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
      2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

SW 26.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a Skilled Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 27.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

  1. SW 27.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
    1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
    2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

Entry requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 28.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker before they arrive in the UK.

SW 28.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a Skilled Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a dependent partner of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 29.1. Subject to SW 29.1A, the applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
    1. (a) P has permission on the Skilled Worker route; or
    2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the Skilled Worker route; or
    3. (c) P is settled or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission on the Skilled Worker route when they settled and the applicant had permission as P’s partner at that time.
  1. SW 29.1A. In SW 29.1(a) and (b), P must not have (or be applying for) entry clearance or permission as a Skilled Worker sponsored for a job in:
    1. (a) the SOC 2020 occupation code “6135 Care workers and home carers” or “6136 Senior care workers”, or
    2. (b) the SOC 2010 occupation code “6145 Care workers and home carers” or “6146 Senior care workers”,
    3. unless P:
      1. (i) was (or is being) granted entry clearance or permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in the SOC 2010 occupation code “6145 Care workers and home carers” or “6146 Senior care workers”, under the Rules in force before 11 March 2024; and
      2. (ii) since the grant of entry clearance or permission in (a), P has continuously had permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in one or more of these SOC 2010 occupation codes or SOC 2020 occupation codes (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).

SW 29.2. The applicant must show that the relationship meets the relationship requirements as specified in Appendix Relationship with Partner.

SW 29.3. DELETED

SW 29.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 30.1. DELETED.
  1. SW 30.2 DELETED.

SW 30.3. DELETED

Care requirement for a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 31.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 32.1. DELETED.

SW 32.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 32A.1. Subject to SW 29.1A, the applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
    1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
    2. (b) care requirement; and
    3. (c) age and independent life requirement.
  1. SW 32A.2. In Appendix Children, where CHI 3.1 (a) or (b) refer to the applicant applying as the child of a person (P), P must not be a Skilled Worker sponsored for a job in:
    1. (a) the SOC 2020 occupation code “6135 Care workers and home carers” or “6136 Senior care workers”, or
    2. (b) the SOC 2010 occupation code “6145 Care workers and home carers” or “6146 Senior care workers”,
      1. Unless either:
      2. (i) P:
        1. 1) was (or is being) granted entry clearance or permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in the SOC 2010 occupation code “6145 Care workers and home carers” or “6146 Senior care workers”, under the Rules in force before 11 March 2024; and
        2. 2) since the grant of entry clearance or permission in (i), P has continuously had permission as a Skilled Worker, sponsored in one or more of these SOC 2010 occupation codes or SOC 2020 occupation codes (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded); or
      3. (ii) the applicant was born in the UK.

Financial requirement for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 33.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

  1. SW 33.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, either:
    1. (a) funds of at least the amount required in SW 33.3 must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
      1. i) the applicant; and
      2. ii) the Skilled Worker (P); and
      3. iii) if the applicant is applying as a dependent child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time;
    2. or
    3. (b) the Skilled Worker’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the dependent partner and/or any dependent child as well as the Skilled Worker, up to the end of the first month of each of their grants of permission, to at least the amounts required in SW 33.3.
  1. SW 33.3. The funds required are:
    1. (a) £285 for a dependent partner in the UK, or applying for entry clearance; and
    2. (b) £315 for the first dependent child in the UK, or applying for entry clearance; and
    3. (c) £200 for any other dependent child in the UK, or applying for entry clearance.

SW 33.4. If SW 33.2.(a) applies, the funds held for the applicant must be held in addition to any funds required for the Skilled Worker to meet the financial requirement and any other dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

SW 33.5. If SW 33.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Criminal record certificate requirement for a dependent partner of a Skilled Worker

SW 34.1. Where a Skilled Worker is being sponsored for a job in an SOC 2020 occupation code listed in SW 16.1, an applicant applying for entry clearance as the partner of the Skilled Worker must provide a criminal record certificate from the relevant authority in any country in which they have been present for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the 10 years before the date of application, and while aged 18 or over.

SW 34.2. The requirement in SW 34.1. does not apply if the applicant provides a satisfactory explanation why it is not reasonably practicable for them to obtain a criminal record certificate from any or all of the relevant authorities.

Decision on an application as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 35.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker are met, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SW 35.2. If the application is refused, the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 36.1. A partner will be granted:
    1. (a) permission which ends on the same date as their partner’s permission as a Skilled Worker; or
    2. (b) 3 years’ permission if the Skilled Worker was (or is being) granted settlement as a Skilled Worker.

SW 36.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first, unless both parents have (or are being granted) settlement or British Citizenship, in which case the child will be granted permission for 3 years.

  1. SW 36.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
    1. (a) no access to public funds; and
    2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, except as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
    3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS, if the applicant is over the age of 18.
    4. (d) DELETED

Settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

Validity requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 37.1. A person applying for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form, “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.

  1. SW 37.2. An application for settlement as a partner or child of a person on the Skilled Worker route must meet all the following requirements:
    1. (a) any fee must have been paid; and
    2. (b) the applicant must have provided any required biometrics; and
    3. (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
    4. (d) the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application; and
    5. (e) the applicant must be applying as a partner or child of a person (P) who:
      1. (i) has made a valid application for settlement in the UK on the Skilled Worker route and that application has not been decided; or
      2. (ii) is settled or has become a British citizen, provided that P had permission on the Skilled Worker route when they settled and the applicant either had permission as their partner or child at that time, or the applicant is applying as a child of P and the applicant was born in the UK before P settled.

SW 37.3. An application which does not meet the validity requirements for settlement as a partner or child of a Skilled Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW38.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

  1. SW38.2. The applicant must not be:
    1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
    2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

Relationship requirement for settlement for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 39.1. The applicant must be the partner or child of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
    1. (a) P is, at the same time, being granted settlement as a Skilled Worker; or
    2. (b) P is settled in the UK or has become a British citizen, providing P had permission as a Skilled Worker when they settled and the applicant either:
      1. i) had permission as P’s partner or child at that time; or
      2. ii) is applying as a child of P, and was born in the UK before P settled.
  1. SW 39.2. The applicant must either:
    1. (a) have last been granted permission as a dependent partner or dependent child of the person (P) in SW 39.1; or
    2. (b) have been born in the UK and be applying as a child of the person (P) in SW 39.1.

SW 39.3. If applying as a partner, the applicant must show that the relationship meets the relationship requirements as specified in Appendix Relationship with Partner.

  1. SW 39.4. If applying as a child, the applicant must meet the relationship requirement for settlement in Appendix Children.

Care requirement for settlement as a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 40.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for settlement as a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 41.1. DELETED.

SW 41.2. DELETED.

Requirements for settlement as a dependent child of a Skilled Worker

  1. SW 41A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
    1. (a) care requirement; and
    2. (b) age and independent life requirement.

Qualifying period requirement for settlement as a dependent partner of a Skilled Worker

SW 42.1. The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK with permission as a dependent partner of the person (P) in SW 39.1.

Continuous residence requirement for settlement as a dependent partner of a Skilled Worker

SW 43.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence during the period in SW 42.1.

English language requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 44.1. Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1.

SW 44.2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.

Knowledge of life in the UK requirement for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 45.1. If the applicant is aged 18 or over on the date of application, they must meet the knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as set out in Appendix KOL UK.

Decision on an application for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker

SW 46.1. If the decision maker is satisfied all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child of a Skilled Worker, the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SW 46.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.