The UK is an excellent place to live as a skilled worker. Approximately five million expats worked in the UK in 2024, with roles in healthcare at the top of the list. Immigrant workers have the same rights as British workers, making the UK a reasonable and non-discriminatory economy for expats.
At Remitly, we help immigrants learn how to live in the UK and enjoy a comfortable and well-informed stay. Let’s learn more about the UK job market, work visa requirements, skilled worker jobs available, and how skilled immigrants can find employment and thrive.
How To Find a Job as a Skilled Worker in the UK
Finding a job as a skilled worker in the UK is much easier with the right tools. We’ve created a guide on understanding the job market, leveraging high-demand skills, researching companies that sponsor skilled immigrants, and implementing informed strategies to secure jobs.
Understanding the UK job market for skilled workers
The current UK job market requires skilled workers in six major sectors: healthcare, finance and banking, environment, education, engineering and construction, and technology.
Identifying high-demand skills and occupations
On a micro-lens, these major sectors seek these highly skilled individuals:
- Technology
- Software engineers and developers
- Cybersecurity experts and analysts
- Cloud computing experts
- IT support specialists
- Data analysts and scientists
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts
- Education
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers
- Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers
- Healthcare
- Paramedics
- Nurses
- Healthcare managers
- Healthcare assistants
- Care home workers
- Doctors
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Engineering and construction
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- Construction project managers
- Civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers
- Quantity surveyors
- Architects
- Finance and banking
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- Compliance officers
- Financial analysts
- Accountants
- Actuaries
- Environment
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- Sustainability experts
- Environmental managers
- Renewable energy engineers
Strategies for Job Searching in the UK
Use job portals and network
To find work in the UK, you can peruse job boards such as Indeed, Reed, CV-Library, Monster, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and FlexJobs. You should also keep an eye out for networking events in your industry that you can attend.
Customise your CV and cover letter
Use keywords from the job description to write a unique cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) that clearly articulates your skill level and relevant experience. A strong cover letter and CV will increase your chances for a successful recruitment process.
Extensively prepare for job interviews
Try these when preparing for a job interview:
- Research the company and role to understand basics like company culture and job expectations
- Review the job description and identify the skills, experiences, and specific examples that make you a great fit
- Role play to practise answering basic and common interview questions. You may use free online resources
- Dress appropriately
- Arrive early for your interview on interview day
Research companies that sponsor skilled workers
Due to today’s technology, and the public lists provided by the UK government, finding companies that sponsor skilled workers with these skill sets is just one click away. To find these companies, you can:
- Check the UK government’s register of licensed work sponsors
- Search for clauses/keywords on visa sponsorship when perusing job advertisements/job boards
- Explore websites/job portals that specialise in visa-sponsored jobs, for example, UK Visa jobs
- Network with fellow immigrants to learn about companies that offer visa-sponsored jobs
Skilled Worker Visa Requirements for Skilled Workers in the UK
Immigrants looking to work in the UK must obtain a job offer from a licensed UK employer, who must sponsor the Skilled Worker visa. Not anyone can come to work in the UK, however. Before applying for a job, check the UK government’s list of eligible occupations for Skilled Worker visas.
Once you find a job that interests you and ticks all your boxes, you may apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK legally.
Eligibility criteria to secure a Skilled Worker visa
The UK government has a set of laws and regulations that guide Skilled Worker visas.
The law requires skilled UK immigrants to:
- Obtain a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer approved by the Home Office before applying for a job. Confirming that a potential employer is licensed to sponsor immigrants saves time.
- Prove English proficiency. Skilled workers must have a B1 level in the English language.
- Secure a job that’s on the list of approved occupations.
- Secure an offer with at least the minimum salary for the job—currently at £38,700 per year for most roles. For your application to be successful, the employer must offer the market rate if the usual pay rate for the job is higher than £38,700.
- Ensure employers follow UK rules on work hours.
- Be at least 18 years old.
Required documents for a Skilled Worker visa application
The law requires immigrant workers to present the following documents when applying for a Skilled Worker visa.
- Valid passport with a minimum of six months’ validity.
- Signed job offer letter from a licensed UK employer detailing job title and annual salary.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), including a reference number, employer’s name, and sponsor licence number.
- Job’s occupation code. Ask your employer for the occupation code. Alternatively, search for the code here.
- Copies of valid academic qualifications from accredited institutions.
- English language proficiency test results.
- Bank statement with a balance of at least £1,270 maintained for at least 28 consecutive days before applying, proving your financial ability to sustain yourself in the UK. If coming with dependants (partner and children), you’ll need £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, and £200 for each additional child. Bank statements are unnecessary if the employer proves that they can support you.
- Recent passport-sized photographs.
- Criminal record certificate, if necessary for the role—usually in the social care, education, and health sectors.
- Health check certificate, if necessary for the role—usually for healthcare professionals.
- Marriage certificate to prove your relationship with a partner. Unmarried partners may use joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or bank statements. But, it must be compelling proof.
- Birth certificates or adoption papers for children.
- TB test results for applicants from listed countries.
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for applicants studying certain subjects.
- UK European Network of Information Centres (UK ENIC) certificate if your degree was acquired outside the UK to prove it’s genuine. You can apply through Ecctis.
- Certified translated documents if they’re not in Welsh or English.
Application process and fees
Follow this simple eight-step application process to secure a Skilled Worker visa.
- Receive a job offer relevant to the list of eligible occupations from a licensed UK employer.
- Apply for and secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- Collect all mandatory documents for your application.
- Complete the online visa application forms.
- Pay the required fees. The application fees cost between £719 and £1,639. There’s also a healthcare surcharge of £1,035 annually. These fees are subject to several factors, such as applying outside or within the UK, duration, or if your job is on the immigration list. Don’t worry, you’ll be guided when you begin the process.
- Book an appointment and visit the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide your photos and fingerprints.
- Wait for the Home Office’s decision.
- Receive your approved visa.
Other Visas To Consider
Depending on your needs, there are other work visa immigration routes you may consider to work in the UK.
- Health and Care Worker visa allows qualified medical professionals to work for the National Health Service (NHS), an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
- Graduate visa: Immigrant graduates from UK universities apply for this visa to stay and work in the UK for at least 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) post-graduation. You may apply for this visa without securing a job offer.
- Overseas Domestic Worker visa. It’s suitable for domestic workers, lasts for six months, and can’t be extended.
- International Agreement visa is an option for workers contracted to perform tasks covered by international law or treaty.
- Innovator Founder visa for self-employed persons looking to start a business in the UK.
What to Expect When Moving to the UK
Receiving a work visa means you’re ready to make your move to the UK. It’s normal to be overwhelmed by the move, despite being happy about the exciting opportunity. To settle in, consider getting three major things right.
- Accommodation and living essentials
- Understanding the UK work culture
- Healthcare and public services
Arranging accommodation and living essentials
High demand, low supply, affordability issues, and rental scams are some characteristics of the UK housing landscape.
Be vigilant to avoid falling prey to rental scam tactics such as fake property listings, fake rental websites, fake social media posts, upfront rent and deposit schemes, and false tenancy agreements.
You may find accommodation in the UK by looking through council housing, shared ownership options, housing associations, and private rentals.
Consider leveraging mobile applications for living essentials such as money services to help send money abroad, shopping/food/grocery delivery, transportation, communication, and entertainment.
Understanding the UK work culture
The UK work culture requires workers to:
- Be polite, efficient, punctual, professional, and a team player
- Dress appropriately
- Communicate openly
- Embrace British humour
- Respect colleagues’ hierarchy and address them respectfully
- Embrace a healthy work-life balance
- Be respectful of personal boundaries
- Observe meeting etiquette such as turn-taking, being courteous, and actively listening
Accessing healthcare and public services
Immigrants can access healthcare and public services in the UK as follows.
Healthcare for immigrant workers
Register with a general practitioner (GP) near your residence to access primary care services from the National Health Service (NHS). You’ll need a GP referral for specialist treatments.
Consider paying an Immigration Health Surcharge when applying for your work visa to enjoy full NHS services.
All immigrants are eligible for emergency medical treatments at no cost at all NHS facilities.
Legal assistance for immigrant workers
Immigrants can access legal aid in the UK via law centres such as Hackney Community Law Centre for Immigration Law, Citizens Advice for free and personal advice on immigration issues, or immigration advisers registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
Education support for immigrant children
The UK offers free education at state-funded schools for immigrant children between the ages of 4 and 16, irrespective of immigration status.
Local authorities, Gov.UK, and the British Council offer free information on the school enrollment process, compulsory documentation, and available support services.
Resources for Skilled Workers in the UK
Do you need further clarification and guidance? Leverage legitimate resources for skilled workers in the UK for a peaceful and comfortable stay.
Official government resources
- UK Government’s Skilled Worker visa information page
- Register of licensed sponsors: workers
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations
- Skilled Worker visa: minimum salary if you’re under 26, studying, training, or in a postdoctoral role
- Skilled Worker visa: caseworker guidance
- Find an immigration adviser
Professional organisations and associations
- The Migration Observatory by the University of Oxford
- International Student Employability Group by the UK Council for International Students Affairs
- Ecctis, which operates official qualification services for the UK government
Online communities and support networks
- UK Skilled Worker Visa Points Calculator by study.eu
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest ways to secure employment in the UK?
Attain the highest possible level qualifications from accredited institutions in your field of study, identify high-demand jobs, find a licensed employer who sponsors immigrant workers, custom-make your CV and cover letter to suit the job requirements, apply for a job, and adequately prepare for the interview.
How do I identify potential employers for skilled workers?
Use legitimate job portals and your networks.
Which jobs qualify as skilled worker positions in the UK?
The UK government has a list of eligible occupations for Skilled Worker visas. Some are construction managers, bank managers, police inspectors, chief immigration officers, clinical managers, nurses, and estate managers.