About
The Skilled Worker route encompasses the majority of UK jobs eligible for overseas recruitment, providing a simple and flexible process for accessing the global talent pool. Under the Skilled Worker route, anyone hired from outside the UK will need to demonstrate that:
- they have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor (you)
- the job offer is at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A Level and equivalent)
- they speak English to the required standard
In addition, the job must meet a minimum salary threshold or applicants can ‘trade’ characteristics, such as their qualifications. A total of 70 points is needed to be able to apply to work in the UK:
| Characteristics | Mandatory/Tradeable | Points |
| Offer of job by approved sponsor | Mandatory | 20 |
| Job at appropriate skill level | Mandatory | 20 |
| Speaks English at required level | Mandatory | 10 |
| Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
| Tradeable | 0 |
| Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
| Tradeable | 10 |
| Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)
| Tradeable | 20 |
| Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee
| Tradeable | 20 |
| Education qualification: PhD in a subject that is relevant to the job
| Tradeable | 10 |
| Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject that is relevant to the job
| Tradeable | 20 |
All jobs have a corresponding Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. Each SOC code has a designated skill level. This determines whether the job meets the requirements of the Skilled Worker route.
An occupation on the Shortage Occupation List results in lower application fees and reduced salary requirements, for skilled workers filling jobs that are in shortage. This does not, however, exempt jobs from the wider mandatory requirements of the Skilled Worker Route, including the skills threshold and the English language requirement.
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Please contact us if you have any questions or queries and your local representative will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
