At First Law Solicitors, we provide strategic, legally precise, and commercially focused immigration advice for professionals and businesses navigating the Skilled Worker Visa route.
As the United Kingdom’s primary pathway for sponsored employment under the Points Based Immigration System, this visa allows qualified individuals to work for licensed employers in eligible occupations that meet the Home Office’s strict skill, salary, and language standards.
Our solicitors guide both applicants and sponsors through every stage of the process — from initial eligibility assessments to sponsor licence compliance and long-term settlement planning.
The Skilled Worker Visa enables overseas professionals to take up employment with a licensed UK sponsor. It is designed to attract highly skilled individuals across business, technology, engineering, finance, education, and healthcare sectors.
The route offers flexibility, a pathway to permanent settlement, and in many cases, the ability to bring eligible dependants. However, since the major reforms of July 2025, the eligibility requirements have become significantly more stringent, reflecting the Home Office’s push toward a higher-skilled workforce.
Under the reforms implemented in July 2025, the Home Office raised both the salary and skill thresholds for sponsorship.
The older Immigration Salary List (ISL) is being phased out and will be abolished by 31 December 2026.
Our solicitors perform detailed SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) analyses to ensure your job code, salary, and skill level meet the correct legal standard, reducing the risk of refusal or audit exposure.
From 8 January 2026, first-time Skilled Worker applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at Level B2 (Upper Intermediate) on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
The transitional exception applies to those extending their Skilled Worker visa if they previously met the B1 requirement in an earlier successful application or are applying under the Health and Care sub-route.
Our solicitors work with clients to ensure all evidence, from Secure English Language Tests (SELT) to academic qualifications, meets the current Home Office verification standards.
Every Skilled Worker must be sponsored by an employer holding a valid Sponsor Licence. The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming key details such as job title, occupation code, salary, and duration of employment.
We assist employers in securing and maintaining their licence, preparing compliant HR systems, and navigating Home Office audits. Our team ensures that all Certificates of Sponsorship meet Appendix Skilled Worker requirements and that sponsors are fully protected from compliance breaches.
Skilled Workers can bring partners and children to the United Kingdom, provided the role meets the eligibility level and salary criteria. Dependants are free to work or study in the UK, except as professional sportspeople or coaches.
Following the July 2025 reforms, dependants are no longer permitted for new RQF Level 3–5 roles unless the occupation is on the Temporary Shortage List or within approved health and education categories.
We ensure family applications are properly synchronised with the main applicant’s sponsorship and duration of leave to prevent administrative inconsistencies or refusal risk.
The Skilled Worker Visa is typically granted for up to five years. Visa holders can extend their stay or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five continuous years, provided they remain in eligible employment, meet the salary requirements, and have not exceeded the permitted absences.
We manage the entire immigration lifecycle, ensuring every extension, compliance update, and ILR submission aligns with the latest Home Office standards.
From 1 January 2026, all Skilled Worker visas are digital eVisas, replacing Biometric Residence Permits. Applicants access their immigration status through a secure UKVI account and share proof of status electronically with employers via a share code.
Our firm operates fully within the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA), which regulates the secure use of digital identity and data in immigration law. The DUAA allows the Home Office to conduct real-time salary monitoring through HMRC’s RTI (Real Time Information) system. If an employee’s pay falls below the £17.13 hourly floor, the system can automatically flag the sponsor for an audit.
We safeguard our clients by maintaining ongoing salary and compliance reviews and ensuring sponsor records remain fully aligned with Home Office and HMRC data.
Strategic Oversight: We provide legal direction and foresight for employers managing international recruitment and workforce planning.
Technical Precision: Each application is reviewed by a solicitor experienced in high-value sponsorship and compliance law.
Digital Leadership: We employ Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) and secure client portals for efficient and compliant document management.
Ongoing Assurance: Our proactive compliance monitoring protects sponsors from costly Home Office sanctions or licence downgrades.
At First Law Solicitors, we understand that a Skilled Worker Visa is more than an entry permit; it is the foundation for your career, your business, and your future in the United Kingdom.
If you are an employer seeking to sponsor global talent or a professional looking to work in the United Kingdom, contact First Law Solicitors for expert legal guidance.
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