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Work visas

UK work visas by route

Sponsored roles, talent pathways, and temporary work visas. Check your sponsor, job details, and timing early.

Explore routes Build a Skilled Worker checklist
Work route fees Work route details Guidance by stage
Sponsorship Confirm sponsor licence status and CoS readiness.
Role checks Validate job code, salary, and route-specific conditions.
Costs Plan visa fees, healthcare surcharge, and dependant applications.

Work route flow

01
Pick the correct work route

Sponsored, unsponsored, temporary, mobility, or specialist route.

02
Validate role and sponsorship

Check CoS details, occupation code, salary, and route conditions.

03
Submit with time buffer

Allow enough time for biometrics and additional evidence requests.

Rules change often. We refresh this guide when published updates are released, but always confirm requirements on the official page before you apply.
Skilled Worker Sponsored route for eligible occupations and salary thresholds.
Health and Care Sponsored pathway for eligible health and social care roles.
Global Talent Route for recognised leaders and emerging leaders.
Temporary work Short-term sponsored routes with route-specific conditions.

Work visas overview

Work visas include sponsored routes, talent pathways, and temporary work. Many routes require a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.

Sponsorship

Confirm your employer is licensed and can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Role + pay

Check the job code, salary threshold, and contract length.

Dependants

Plan for partner/children applications, fees, and healthcare surcharge.

Work visa routes

Start with the route that fits your job offer, skills, or temporary work plan.

Work visas

Sponsored routes, talent pathways, and temporary work.

Popular work routes

Work visas without a job offer

Work for an overseas employer (Global Business Mobility)

Temporary work visas

Start a business

Other work visas and permits

Closed to new applicants

Work route step-by-step guidance

Use this flow before opening detailed route cards.

1

Match your route

Start with sponsorship, no-sponsorship, temporary, or business route groups.

2

Check eligibility gates

Validate route-specific checks such as occupation, salary, endorsement, or ballot rules.

3

Build route evidence

Collect identity, status, sponsor, finance, and supporting records based on route type.

4

Apply with timing buffer

Submit early enough for biometrics, document requests, and travel planning.

Critical route details and refusal risks

These checks are where many applications slow down or fail. Use this as a technical pre-check before you submit.

Skilled Worker timing + validity

  • Apply within 3 months of CoS assignment.
  • Check your CoS reference, occupation code, salary, and sponsor licence number match exactly across all fields.
  • If your role changes, you may need to update your visa before starting the new role.
Skilled Worker job and CoS rules

Evidence standards that cause refusals

  • Financial evidence: where required, funds must meet amount and holding-period rules.
  • Documents not in English/Welsh need certified translation.
  • For regulated sectors, missing criminal record or sector certificates can block approval.
Skilled Worker documents list

Latest route updates to check

  • Sponsor guidance was updated November 2025, with additional rule changes from January 2026.
  • Skill level, salary framework, and English requirements can shift by Statement of Changes.
  • Always review current route rules on the day you apply.
Sponsor guidance (latest version)

Additional work route scenarios

Use these pages for routes with extra eligibility checks, legacy rules, or specialist evidence.

Health and care role in England

Care worker and senior care worker roles in England require employer CQC registration.

Check care role requirement

Dependants on work routes

Dependant eligibility can differ by route and role level. Confirm before submitting linked applications.

Partner and children rules

Settlement path planning

Not all time in the UK counts toward settlement. Keep route and absence history mapped from day one.

Open ILR route rules