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When you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:
You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.
You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.
For example, you’re applying to come to the UK from Argentina for 2 years on a Skilled Worker visa.
Your job is not in a shortage occupation so your visa will cost £719, plus £624 for each year of your stay for the healthcare surcharge. This means you’ll pay a total of £1,967 when you apply for your visa.
You’ll also need to prove you have £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK if your employer cannot cover these costs.
If you’re applying from outside the UK, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
You and your family will pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.
The fee for each person applying is:
The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
There’s a different list of shortage occupations if you work in healthcare or education.
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay – this is usually £624 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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