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Guidance

Sponsor a Skilled Worker

Guidance for sponsors on sponsoring a Skilled Worker.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published:
9 December 2020
Last updated:
8 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules.

  2. This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). Details of the changes are set out within the document.

  3. Updates to section SK3.4: updated to reflect that workers making their first application for permission as a Skilled Worker on or after 8 January 2026 will need to show English language competence to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Updates to sections SK4.18, SK4.36, SK4.43, SK6.20: updated to reflect that the ‘exceptions for overstayers’ provisions formerly contained in paragraph 39E of the Immigration Rules are now in Part Suitability of the Rules. Updates to sections SK4.37, SK4.38: minor drafting amendment to clarify minimum salary requirements for care workers.

  4. Added accessible HTML version.

  5. Guidance updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules. The changes apply to workers assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) on or after 22 July 2025.

  6. The guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 9 April 2025, as set out in Statement of Changes HC 733 (published on 12 March 2025), and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  7. Guidance updated to reflect a commitment given in the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 November 2024 to prohibit the passing on of Skilled Worker sponsor licence or Certificate of Sponsorship fees to sponsored workers by the end of 2024. A full list of changes can be found in the guidance.

  8. Updates made to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 8 October 2024.

  9. Updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules. A full list of changes is in the 'changes to this guidance' section.

  10. The guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 11 March 2024 – these changes primarily affect sponsors of care workers and senior care workers with a working location in England. A full list of the changes is in the guidance.

  11. The guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 17 July 2023 and 7 August 2023, as set out in Statement of Changes HC 1496. Changes are detailed on page 6.

  12. Guidance updated as detailed on page 6.

  13. Updated guidance to give advance notice for some significant changes to the Immigration Rules, including how much sponsors have to pay Skilled Workers.

  14. Updated guidance.

  15. Added HTML accessible version.

  16. Updated guide for use on or after 11 April 2022.

  17. Guidance updated with the following changes: SK2.3: paragraph on licence renewal added; subsequent paragraphs in this section renumbered accordingly; SK3.5, SK4.1, SK4.2, SK5.1, SK6.1 (row D of table), SK6.12, SK7.9, SK11.18 (14th bullet point): minor amendments to reflect that jobs under occupation code 6145 (Care workers and home carers) have been added to Appendix Shortage Occupation List and are now eligible for the Skilled Worker route (as set out in Statement of Changes HC 1009); SK10.1: new bullet point added to reflect that workers sponsored under occupation code 6145 are subject to the overseas criminal records requirement (as set out in Statement of Changes HC 1009); SK11.11: amended to reflect the ending of the fee concession for Certificates of Sponsorship assigned to CESC nationals from 26 February 2022 (as set out in Schedule 3 to the Immigration and Nationality (Replacement of T2 Sportsperson Route and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2021); SK11.11A: new paragraph to reflect ending of the above concession; SK13.4: new bullet point added to reflect that workers sponsored under occupation code 6145 are now eligible for the Health and Care visa; other minor housekeeping changes.

  18. Guidance updated to correct various hyperlinks.

  19. Guidance updated to reflect minor changes to the Immigration Rules that came into effect on 6 October 2021; reflect changes to the process for checking whether a worker needs an ATAS certificate; and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.

  20. Updated guidance correcting the list of eligible Health and Care visa occupation codes.

  21. Updated guidance reflects changes to the Immigration Rules as set out in the Statement of Changes (HC 1248). Including the introduction of the minimum £10.10 hourly rate for Skilled Workers applying from 6 April 2021, clarification of the circumstances in which a Skilled Worker’s salary can be reduced without a new application for permission, the introduction of the ATAS requirement for certain roles from 21 May 2021, and minor clarifications.

  22. Updated guidance to provide clarification to sponsors on how to enter PAYE references.

  23. First published.

Documents

Workers and Temporary Workers: sponsor a skilled worker (accessible)

HTML

Workers and Temporary Workers: sponsor a skilled worker

PDF, 820 KB, 75 pages

Details

Guidance for employers on how to sponsor a worker on the Skilled Worker immigration route.

The Skilled Worker route allows employers to recruit people to work in the UK in a specific job in an eligible skilled occupation. Eligible occupations are listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.

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