The Skilled Worker route is the main way for overseas nationals to work in the UK. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) route in December 2020. If you are a UK employer and want to hire workers from outside the UK, you must have a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. This licence allows you to fill job gaps that cannot be met by workers already living in the UK.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker route allows employers to recruit people to work in the UK in a specific job in an eligible skilled occupation. Unlike some previous visa categories, there is no cap on the number of Skilled Workers who can enter the UK, provided the jobs are genuine and meet the salary and skill criteria.
To sponsor a worker, you must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. The worker must have a valid job offer from you, and you must assign them a “Certificate of Sponsorship” (CoS) before they can apply for their visa. This route can lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK after five years of continuous lawful residence.
New Rules and Updates for 2025
The immigration rules are frequently updated. Based on guidance effective from late 2025, sponsors must be aware of significant changes in skill levels, salaries, and fees.
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Increased Skill Level Requirement (From July 2025)
For Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned on or after 22 July 2025, the job you sponsor must normally be skilled to level 6 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). RQF Level 6 is equivalent to graduate level. Previously, the threshold was lower (RQF Level 3, equivalent to an A-level).
You may still be able to sponsor a worker for a job below graduate level if the job is included on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, or if a specific transitional provision applies to a worker already in the route.
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Increased Immigration Skills Charge (From December 2025)
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), a levy paid by sponsors, has increased for CoS assigned on or after 16 December 2025.
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Small or Charitable Sponsors
It increased from £364 to £480 for the first 12 months.
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Medium or Large Sponsors
It increased from £1,000 to £1,320 for the first 12 months.
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English Language Requirement (From January 2026)
While technically early 2026, sponsors should now prepare for the requirement that workers making their first application on or after 8 January 2026 will need to show English language competence to at least level B2 (upper intermediate), rather than the previous B1 level.
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
The CoS is not a physical document. It is a digital record with a unique reference number that you create on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). You must assign the correct type of CoS, or you risk having your licence revoked.
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Defined CoS (For Workers Outside the UK) You must apply for a Defined CoS if the worker is currently outside the UK and will be applying for an entry clearance visa. You cannot hold a stock of these. You must submit a specific application to the Home Office for each Defined CoS you need. You must include details such as the job description, salary, and work hours.
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Undefined CoS (For Workers Inside the UK) You use an Undefined CoS if the worker is already inside the UK and is applying for permission to stay (extensions or switching visas). You are given an annual allotment of these CoS. If you run out, you can request an increase via the SMS.
Employer must not assign an Undefined CoS to a worker who requires a Defined CoS (i.e., someone outside the UK). This is a serious breach of duties and is likely to lead to the revocation of your licence.
How Long Can You Sponsor a Skilled Worker?
You can assign a CoS for the period you intend to employ the worker, up to a maximum of 5 years at a time.
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New Entrants
If you are sponsoring a worker who is claiming points as a "new entrant" (for example, recent graduates or those under 26), the maximum period you can sponsor them for is 4 years in total. This includes any time they have already spent in the UK on the Skilled Worker or Graduate routes.
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Indefinite Sponsorship
There is no limit on how many times a worker can extend their Skilled Worker visa, provided they continue to meet the requirements. After 5 years, they may be eligible to apply for settlement.
The Costs of Sponsorship
Sponsors must pay specific fees when assigning a CoS.
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The Certificate of Sponsorship Fee
You must pay a fee for each CoS you assign. This is a standard administrative fee.
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The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) Unless an exception applies (such as sponsoring a PhD-level occupation or a student switching to a work visa), you must pay the ISC. The cost depends on your organization's size and the length of the visa.
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Previous Rates (Pre-Dec 16, 2025)
Small/Charitable sponsors pay £364 for the first year and £182 for each subsequent 6 months. Medium/Large sponsors pay £1,000 for the first year and £500 for each subsequent 6 months.
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New Rates (Post-Dec 16, 2025)
As noted above, these rates have increased to £480 for the first year and £240 for each subsequent 6 months. (Small/charitable) and £1,320 for the first year and £660 for each subsequent 6 months (Medium/Large).
Employer must not pass the CoS fee or the Immigration Skills Charge on to the worker. If the Home Office finds that you have recouped these costs from the worker’s salary, your licence will normally be revoked.
Salary Requirements
Employers must ensure the worker’s salary meets the minimum thresholds set out in the Immigration Rules. The salary must meet or exceed both:
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The general salary threshold permitted for the specific option under which the worker is claiming points.
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The "going rate" for the specific occupation code.
The salary is calculated based on a maximum of 48 hours per week. If the worker works more than 48 hours, you cannot use the pay for those extra hours to meet the general salary threshold. You must use the gross basic pay and cannot include allowances (such as accommodation or cost of living allowances) unless a specific transitional provision applies for workers who were already sponsored before December 2020.
Genuine Vacancy Requirement
The Home Office will not award points for sponsorship if they have reasonable grounds to believe the job is not a genuine vacancy. A job is considered non-genuine if:
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The role does not actually exist.
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It is a "sham" role created mainly to facilitate the worker’s entry into the UK.
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The job description has been exaggerated to make it appear to meet the skill level requirements.
If you assign a CoS for a role that is not genuine, the worker’s application will be refused, and the Home Office may take compliance action against you, including revoking your licence.
Reporting and Record-Keeping Duties
Becoming a sponsor necessitates important responsibility. You are required to adhere to strict reporting and record-keeping duties.
Conclusion
Sponsoring a Skilled Worker is a significant commitment that calls for careful attention to the Immigration Rules. With the introduction of higher skill levels (RQF 6) and increased salary thresholds and charges in 2025, it is vital that employers verify the eligibility of both the role and the candidate before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.
The Home Office views sponsorship as a privilege, not a right. Failure to pay the correct fees, assigning the wrong type of CoS, or failing to report changes in a worker’s circumstances can lead to the suspension or revocation of your licence. By knowing these guidelines, you can ensure your business is compliant while accessing the global talent pool.
