Requirements For UK Work Visa: Your Complete Guide

Getting a UK work visa boils down to meeting a few key, non-negotiable requirements. At the heart of it all, you need a solid job offer from a Home Office-approved employer, a role that meets a certain skill threshold, and the ability to prove you can communicate in English.

Think of these as the main ingredients for your application. Get them right, and you're well on your way.

Your Roadmap to a UK Work Visa

The UK visa process can feel like a bit of a labyrinth, but this guide is designed to be your map. We'll start by breaking down the absolute essentials for getting your visa approved, focusing on the most common route: the Skilled Worker visa.

This isn't just a dry list of rules. It’s a practical look at what the UK Home Office is really looking for, giving you the clarity and confidence to tackle your application head-on. Consider this your orientation before you start the journey.

The 3 Core Pillars of a Successful Application

A strong application is built on three main pillars. You need to have each one firmly in place to stand a chance of approval.

A Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor: First and foremost, you must have a genuine job offer from a UK-based company that is licensed by the Home Office to hire foreign workers. They will issue you a crucial document called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which is the absolute foundation of your entire application.
Passing the Points-Based System: To qualify, you have to score a minimum of 70 points. Some of these points are non-negotiable (like the ones from your job offer and CoS), while others are "tradeable," meaning you can make up points through things like your salary level or if you hold a PhD in a relevant field.
English Language & Financial Proof: You'll need to demonstrate your English skills are up to scratch, typically at a B1 level on the CEFR scale. You also have to prove you have enough savings to support yourself when you first arrive, though some employers can cover this for you.

A Word of Warning: Many people underestimate the Certificate of Sponsorship. The CoS isn't just a piece of paper; it's the official, digital record that links you, your employer, and the Home Office. Every detail on it must be perfect.

Before we dive deeper, let's summarise these core requirements. This table gives you a quick snapshot of what you'll need to pull together for your application.

Quick Guide to UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

Here's a quick-reference summary of the main pillars you need for a successful Skilled Worker visa application, which we'll explore in detail throughout this guide.

Core Requirement	What It Means For Your Application
Sponsorship	You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Home Office-licensed employer for a specific, eligible job.
Points	You need to score 70 points across mandatory and 'tradeable' categories like salary, skill level, and qualifications.
English Language	You must prove you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least an intermediate (B1) level.
Financials	You must show you have sufficient personal funds to support yourself, unless your sponsor certifies your maintenance.

Understanding how these pieces fit together is the first real step toward building an application that sails through the system. From the specifics of your job offer to the statements from your bank, every single element plays a vital part in the final decision. Now, let's break each of these pillars down even further.

The Cornerstone of Your Application: Your CoS

If you think of your UK work visa application as building a house, then the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is the foundation. It’s absolutely non-negotiable. Without a solid CoS from your UK employer, your application simply won't get off the ground.

Don’t get hung up on the word "certificate," though. This isn't a piece of paper you’ll frame. It’s actually a unique digital reference number your employer gets from the Home Office. This number is the official link between you, your employer, and the specific job you’ve been offered.

Essentially, your employer is telling the UK government, "We've hired this person for a genuine role, they have the right skills, and we're going to pay them a proper salary." This CoS is your golden ticket to even submit your visa application.

Defined vs. Undefined CoS: What’s the Difference?

Now, not all Certificates of Sponsorship are the same. The type your employer needs depends entirely on where you are when you apply. Getting this right is crucial because it changes what your employer has to do on their end.

A Defined CoS is what you’ll need if you're applying for your Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. Your employer can't just give you one from their stash. They first have to apply to the Home Office for permission for your specific role, which can add a bit of time to the process.

On the other hand, an Undefined CoS is for anyone who is already in the UK and wants to switch to a Skilled Worker visa. Companies with a sponsor licence already have an annual allocation of these, so they can assign one to you directly without that extra approval step.

Key Takeaway: The CoS isn't just a box-ticking exercise. It's the central pillar of proof for your job offer. A simple typo in your name or an incorrect job code on this digital document can be enough for the Home Office to refuse your entire application.

The Anatomy of a Valid Certificate of Sponsorship

Your CoS is packed with critical details that the Home Office will examine with a fine-tooth comb. While your employer is responsible for getting it right, you should know exactly what’s on it. This allows you to spot any potential issues long before the visa application is submitted.

A valid CoS must include:

Your Personal Details: Your name, date of birth, and passport information have to be a perfect match to your official documents.
Sponsor Information: This covers details about the company sponsoring you, including their all-important sponsor licence number.
Job Details: It will list your job title, a summary of your main duties, and the start and end dates for your employment contract.
Salary Information: Your precise annual salary must be clearly stated. This figure has to meet the minimum salary threshold for your job and for the visa itself.
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: This is a vital four-digit code that categorises your job. The SOC code must be an accurate reflection of your role and must come from the government's list of eligible occupations.

Getting the SOC code wrong is one of the most common pitfalls that trips people up when meeting the requirements for a UK work visa. Once you have your CoS sorted, you can find a complete walkthrough of the next stages in our guide on how to apply for a work visa. Taking the time to ensure every detail on your CoS is perfect from the start will make the rest of the process much, much smoother.

Scoring the 70 Points You Need to Qualify

Think of getting a UK work visa like a points game. You need to hit a magic number: 70 points. It sounds simple, but the trick is knowing exactly where those points come from. This points-based system is the absolute core of the Skilled Worker visa, and it's split into two crucial categories: mandatory points and tradeable points.

First, you have to lock down 50 mandatory points. These are your non-negotiables. You simply must have them, and there’s no way around it. They are the foundation of your entire application, proving to the Home Office that you have a genuine, skilled job offer waiting for you in the UK.

So, how do you get these first 50 points? They come from three key things:

Certificate of Sponsorship (20 points): This is the official document from a Home Office-licensed employer that proves they want to hire you. No CoS, no visa.
Job at an Appropriate Skill Level (20 points): The job itself must meet a certain standard. Generally, this means it's considered skilled to at least A-level (or RQF Level 3) or higher.
English Language Skills (10 points): You'll need to demonstrate that you can understand, speak, read, and write English to a B1 level on the CEFR scale.

Crucial Insight: Those 50 mandatory points are a package deal. You can't compensate for a missing CoS or a low-skilled job by having an incredibly high salary. Nail these three elements, and you’re already two-thirds of the way there.

Earning Your Final 20 Tradeable Points

With the 50 mandatory points secured, your next challenge is to find the remaining 20 points from a list of 'tradeable' options. This is where things get interesting and where your salary often takes centre stage, though it’s not your only option. They’re called 'tradeable' because you can mix and match different elements—like your salary, your qualifications, and the type of job—to get across the finish line.

The image below gives a good overview of how your job offer's core details, such as its skill level and salary, lay the groundwork for your eligibility.

As you can see, everything starts with the job offer. From there, the key checks on skill and salary are what really determine your points. The most straightforward path to collecting your final 20 points is simply to have a salary that meets or goes above the general threshold.

But what if it doesn't? Thankfully, there are other ways to make up the points. For instance, holding a relevant PhD or having a job that's on the Immigration Salary List (what used to be called the Shortage Occupation List) can help you qualify even if your pay is a little under the standard rate.

This built-in flexibility is a huge help, especially for people in certain industries or those just starting their careers. New entrants to the labour market, for example, often benefit from slightly different and more forgiving salary requirements.

How Salary and Other Factors Mix and Match

Figuring out how to combine these options is the key to success. Your task is to find the right mix that adds up to the 20 points you need.

Let's walk through a classic example. If your annual salary is £38,700 or more (this is the general threshold and it does change, so always check the latest figures), you instantly get 20 points. Simple. That’s the most direct route.

But what if your salary offer is a bit lower? You might still be in luck. For example, if you have a PhD that's directly related to your job, you could still qualify with a lower salary. The system recognises the value of your advanced qualifications and gives you credit for them.

It's also worth noting that recent government changes have tightened some of these rules. The UK government has increased salary thresholds to better reflect living costs and introduced a domestic-first approach for recruitment in the care sector. These measures are designed to manage the labour market and protect migrant workers. You can get more detail on how these new immigration rules could impact your application.

Ultimately, getting through the points system comes down to a careful audit of your own circumstances—your specific job offer, salary, and qualifications—to build a strong case for those final 20 points.

Proving Your English Language Skills

Demonstrating your grasp of English is a non-negotiable part of the requirements for a UK work visa. Think of it this way: the Home Office needs to know you can handle everyday conversations, understand your colleagues, and generally navigate life in the UK without a major language barrier. It’s a fundamental piece of the puzzle.

For most people, this means taking and passing a specific exam. It’s not just any English test, though. It must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a provider that’s officially approved by the UK government.

The level you’re aiming for is B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is an intermediate level, proving you have a solid command of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

The Two Main Paths to Prove Proficiency

While an exam is the most well-trodden path, it isn't your only option. The Home Office actually offers two distinct ways to meet this requirement. Figuring out which one applies to you early on can save you a fair bit of time and money.

Your options boil down to these two routes:

Passing an Approved Test: This is the standard path for most visa applicants, especially those from non-majority English-speaking countries like Nigeria.
Qualifying for an Exemption: Under certain conditions, you might be able to skip the test altogether.

Let’s dig into what each of these involves so you can see where you stand.

Important Note: Getting the English language proof wrong is one of the most common—and completely avoidable—reasons for a visa refusal. It really pays to get this sorted out properly from the start.

Are You Exempt from the Test?

Before you start looking up test centres, it’s worth checking if you even need to take one. You are exempt from the SELT requirement if you meet one of these two criteria:

Nationality: You are a citizen of a country where English is the majority language. The official list includes places like the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Academic Qualification: You have a degree-level qualification that was taught in English. If your degree is from a university outside the UK, you’ll need to get it verified by an organisation called UK ENIC (what used to be UK NARIC). They will confirm it’s equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree (or higher) and that English was the language of instruction.

If neither of those situations applies to you, then taking and passing an approved SELT is the way forward. Make sure you book your test at an official, government-approved centre well ahead of time. You’ll need that valid test certificate ready to go when you submit your final application.

Understanding the Financial Requirements and Costs

Beyond having the right qualifications and a solid job offer, there’s one more major hurdle: money. The UK Home Office needs to see that you can stand on your own two feet when you first land in the country. This isn't just bureaucracy; it's a practical step to make sure you won't struggle financially from day one.

Think of it as your financial safety net. You'll need it for things like a deposit on a flat and general living costs before that first paycheque arrives. Getting this part of your application right is absolutely critical, but thankfully, the rules are straightforward once you know what they are.

The Maintenance Funds Requirement

So, how much do you actually need? For most people applying for a Skilled Worker visa, the magic number is £1,270. You must be able to prove you have at least this amount ready and waiting in your bank account.

But there's a catch. It's not enough to just have the money on the day you apply. The Home Office has a strict rule: those funds must have been sitting in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days. That 28-day period has to end no more than 31 days before you hit 'submit' on your visa application.

This is their way of making sure the money is genuinely yours and not just a last-minute loan from a friend. Your bank statements will be scrutinised to confirm the balance never dipped below £1,270 during that entire 28-day window.

A Crucial Exception: The best-case scenario is when your employer steps in to help. If your sponsor is 'A-rated' (meaning they have a trusted track record with the Home Office), they can simply "certify your maintenance" on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a game-changer. With that box ticked, you don't need to provide any bank statements for this requirement at all.

This kind of rule reflects the wider picture of UK immigration policy, which often gets tweaked to manage the number of people coming into the country. Keeping an eye on these changes is always a good idea.

Budgeting for the Full Cost of Your Visa

That £1,270 is just one piece of the financial puzzle. Getting a UK work visa involves several other significant costs that you absolutely must plan for. Being financially prepared is just as important as meeting all the other eligibility criteria.

The total amount you’ll pay can change depending on how long your visa is for and whether you're applying from your home country or from within the UK.

Here's a quick rundown of the main fees you need to brace for:

Visa Application Fee: This is the core government fee for actually processing your application. It varies based on whether your Certificate of Sponsorship is for up to three years, or more than three years.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This is a non-negotiable fee that grants you access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The current cost for adults is £1,035 per year, and you have to pay the full amount for your entire visa duration upfront.
Biometric Appointment Fee: You'll need to book an appointment to provide your fingerprints and have a photo taken. There's a standard charge for this, but you can often pay extra for a quicker appointment or a more comfortable experience at a premium lounge.

Getting your head around these expenses early on will save you a lot of stress down the line. To get a complete picture and plan your budget properly, take a look at our full breakdown of the UK work visa cost. Planning ahead means you can keep your focus where it needs to be: on a successful application.

Getting Your Paperwork in Order for a Smooth Application

Alright, you've confirmed you’re eligible. Now for the practical part: gathering your evidence. I always tell my clients to think of this as building a case file. One missing page or a disorganised folder can cause frustrating delays or, in the worst-case scenario, a rejection. Getting this right from the start is non-negotiable.

This part of the guide is your step-by-step checklist. A complete, well-organised set of documents doesn't just tick boxes; it shows you're a serious applicant and makes the decision-maker's job much simpler. That's always a good thing.

The Core Document Checklist

Every Skilled Worker visa application rests on a foundation of essential documents. These are the absolute must-haves. You need to have every single one of these ready to go before you even think about starting the online form.

Here’s what you’ll need at a minimum:

Your Current Passport: It needs at least one blank page for the visa sticker and must be valid for your entire stay in the UK.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Reference Number: This isn't a physical certificate. It’s a unique digital number your employer gives you, and it's the key that unlocks your application.
Proof of English Language Proficiency: This could be your approved test certificate or proof that you qualify for an exemption, like a verified degree certificate.
Financial Evidence: Bank statements proving you have the required maintenance funds are crucial, unless your CoS explicitly states your employer is covering this for you.

A quick but vital tip: Your passport is your primary ID throughout this whole journey. Make sure the name and details on it match every other document perfectly, from your CoS to your bank statements. Even a tiny mismatch can create big headaches.

Additional Documents You Might Need

Depending on your job or where you live, you might be asked for a few extra things. It's really important to check if these apply to you, because if they do, they're just as mandatory as the core items.

Criminal Record Certificate: This is a common requirement for anyone going into sensitive fields like education, healthcare, or social care. You'll need a certificate from any country where you've lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate: If you're applying from Nigeria or another country on the Home Office's list, you must provide a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic.

This shows how the government fine-tunes requirements based on different factors. For instance, recent policy shifts have tightened the rules for employers and affected visa application numbers, especially in the health and social care sectors. These changes are part of a wider effort to manage migration. You can always discover more insights about monthly visa applications on GOV.UK to see the latest trends.

The Final Stretch: Online Application and Biometrics

Once you have your complete portfolio of documents, it's time for the final push. You’ll head online to fill out the application form, where you'll enter your CoS number, pay the fees, and upload digital copies of all your paperwork. Be incredibly careful here—double-check every entry against your documents.

After you've submitted and paid, you’ll be directed to book an appointment at a visa application centre. This is for your biometrics – a quick process where they take your fingerprints and a digital photo. Once that's done, your application is officially in the queue for a decision.

Common UK Work Visa Questions Answered

Even with the best-laid plans, a few nagging questions can pop up as you get closer to submitting your UK work visa application. It's completely normal. Let's tackle some of the most common queries we hear from applicants in Nigeria to help clear up any last-minute uncertainties.

How Long Will My Application Take?

The waiting game is always the hardest part. For a Skilled Worker visa application made from outside the UK, you can generally expect a decision within three weeks of your biometric appointment.

But think of this as a guideline, not a guarantee. Things can get held up, particularly during busy seasons or if your application needs a closer look. If you're in a hurry, most visa centres offer a priority service for an extra fee. This can often get you a decision in about five working days, which can be a lifesaver.

What Happens If My Application Is Refused?

Getting a refusal notice can feel like a punch to the gut, but it's not necessarily the end of your UK dream. The first thing you must do is read the refusal letter very carefully. The Home Office is required to give you the exact reasons for the denial, and this information is your roadmap for what to do next.

Often, refusals come down to simple mistakes that can be fixed, like a missing document or a typo. Depending on the reason, you generally have two paths forward:

Administrative Review: If you're certain the Home Office made a mistake—say, they miscalculated your points—you can request an Administrative Review to have them look at the decision again.
Re-application: If the problem was with your documents or your eligibility, the best approach is usually to correct the issue and start a fresh application from scratch.

Key Insight: A refusal doesn't mean you're banned from applying again. The most critical step is to understand exactly why you were denied so you can nail the requirements for a UK work visa on your next try.

Can I Bring My Family With Me?

Absolutely. The Skilled Worker route is designed to allow you to bring your dependants along. This typically means your partner and any children under 18. Each family member will need to complete their own application and pay all the required fees, including the Immigration Health Surcharge.

You'll also need to show you have sufficient funds to support them. The maintenance requirement is £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child. This is in addition to the £1,270 you need for yourself, unless your employer has agreed to certify maintenance for your entire family.

When Can I Travel to the UK?

Once your visa is granted, you'll get a sticker in your passport called a vignette. This is your temporary entry pass, and it's usually valid for 90 days.

You can fly to the UK anytime from the "valid from" date printed on that vignette—but not a day sooner! After you arrive, you have 10 days to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which is the physical card that holds all the details of your full visa.

Remember, immigration rules can and do change. Staying on top of the latest policies is crucial. To get a handle on recent developments, it’s worth reading about the new UK immigration white paper and how it affects workers so your information is always current.

Navigating your move to the UK is a big undertaking, but you don't have to figure it all out on your own. JapaChat is Nigeria’s AI immigration expert, ready to provide instant, reliable answers to your visa questions. Start for free and get the clarity you need to plan your journey with confidence. Visit JapaChat to begin.