Hugh KinninsWhether you are an international graduate, a seasonal farm worker, or a specialist developer, the UK offers several visa routes that allow foreign nationals to work. This guide explains five visas commonly used by skilled and less-skilled workers in 2026. For each route you will find who it is for, eligibility rules, typical costs and processing times, the documents you must prepare, special notes for applicants applying from outside the UK, and any relevant deadlines or seasonal limits.
The five visas covered here:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Health and Care Worker visa (a Skilled Worker variant)
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Temporary Work — Seasonal Worker visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme (work for young people)
1 — Skilled Worker visa (skilled jobs, sponsor required)
What it is and who it suits
The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for people who have been offered a skilled job by a UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence. The job must meet a defined skill level (RQF3 or above) and pay the appropriate salary for the occupation. This route suits qualified professionals across tech, engineering, finance, education and many other sectors.
Key eligibility requirements
- A confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by the employer.
- The role must be on the list of eligible occupations and meet the minimum skill level.
- The job must meet the salary threshold (either the general threshold or the “going rate” for the occupation).
- Proof of English language ability (unless exempt).
- Maintenance funds if the sponsor does not certify maintenance.
Costs and processing
Application fee: varies with length and where you apply. For applications made from outside the UK the typical fee is around £769 (up to 3 years) or £1,519 (more than 3 years). If applying inside the UK to extend or switch the fees are higher. Exact amounts are published on gov.uk and can vary by country of application.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per year for most applicants and payable at application.
Processing time: applications from outside the UK are commonly decided within 3 weeks after biometrics, although times vary with location and demand. Priority services may be available for an extra charge.
Documents you need
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Proof of your knowledge of English (unless exempt).
- Evidence of personal savings (if required).
- Tuberculosis test certificate (if you are from a country that requires one).
- Any professional qualifications, CV, employer letters. See the detailed list on gov.uk.
Application deadlines & timing
There is no single deadline; you must apply before your intended start date and ensure the CoS is valid. Check sponsor timelines and allow time for biometrics and any TB tests. Apply early to allow for employer processing and any premium service booking.
Applying from outside the UK
Apply online and either verify your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre for biometrics. You will need to present supporting documents and pay fees. Decisions are typically quicker for straightforward sponsored roles.
2 — Health and Care Worker visa (skilled route tailored to health workers)
What it is and who it suits
The Health and Care Worker visa is a specialised variant of the Skilled Worker route designed for medical professionals. It covers doctors, nurses, health care professionals and some eligible allied health roles working for the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. This route offers streamlined rules and, in many cases, exemptions from some costs.
Key eligibility requirements
- Job offer from an approved UK employer for an eligible health or care role.
- Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer.
- The role must meet required skill and qualification standards for the health sector.
- Proof of English language where needed.
- Costs and processing (typical 2025 figures)
- Application fee: varies; gov.uk lists the fee for the health and care category as lower than the general Skilled Worker fee for some durations. You will be shown the exact fee when you apply.
- Healthcare surcharge: Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from paying the IHS, which is a practical cost saving compared with other skilled routes.
- Processing time: similar to Skilled Worker applications — often within three weeks from outside the UK, subject to local visa centre capacity. Priority services may be available.
Documents you need
- Valid passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Evidence of qualifications (medical or professional registration where required).
- Proof of English language (if applicable).
- Any regulatory body registrations (e.g., GMC, NMC) if the role requires professional registration.
Application deadlines & timing
No formal application deadline. Employers in the health sector often work with recruiting cycles and vacancy needs; apply as soon as you have an offer and CoS. Be mindful that registration with professional bodies can lengthen the timeline.
Applying from outside the UK
Apply online and attend biometric appointment as required by your country’s visa centre. Prove regulatory registration or show proof you are on the pathway to registration if necessary.
3 — Scale-up Worker visa (fast-growing employers, skilled roles)
What it is and who it suits
The Scale-up Worker visa lets applicants take on skilled roles with approved “scale-up” employers — businesses that have grown quickly and are designated as scale-ups under Home Office criteria. It’s intended to help rapidly expanding UK firms recruit the talent they need. Typical hires include engineers, product managers, data scientists and other skilled professionals.
Key eligibility requirements
- A confirmed job offer from an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months.
- Certificate of Sponsorship from the scale-up employer.
- Role must be on the eligible occupation list and meet salary/skill thresholds.
- English language requirement.
- Evidence of maintenance funds unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.
- Costs and processing (typical 2025 figures)
- Application fee: gov.uk lists the Scale-up Worker application fee at £880 (main applicant) as a standard reference, but the exact fee shown depends on individual circumstances.
- IHS: usually £1,035 per year (payable at application).
- Processing time: standard overseas decisions are often within 3 weeks after biometrics; in-country switches may take longer. Priority services may be offered.
Documents you need
- Passport and valid travel ID.
- Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the scale-up employer.
- Evidence of English proficiency.
- Proof of funds or sponsor’s maintenance certificate.
- Any occupational registration or qualifications.
Application deadlines & timing
No universal deadline — apply when you hold a qualifying job offer and your employer issues a CoS. Employers may have internal recruiting cycles; apply promptly when offered a role.
Applying from outside the UK
Apply online and attend a visa application centre as directed. The employer’s CoS will include start dates; you can usually enter the UK up to 14 days before your job start date.
4 — Temporary Work — Seasonal Worker visa (unskilled / temporary farm and seasonal roles)
What it is and who it suits
The Seasonal Worker visa is designed for short-term agricultural and horticultural labour and a limited poultry season. It is a common route for workers from overseas to fill temporary, lower-skilled roles on farms and in food production. This visa is explicitly temporary and tied to a specific employer and seasonal job.
Key eligibility requirements
- A valid job offer from a licensed sponsor in the seasonal worker scheme.
- Certificate of Sponsorship with details of the role and the season.
- You must demonstrate you intend to leave the UK at the end of the permitted period.
Costs and processing
- Application fee: the gov.uk page shows the application fee for a Seasonal Worker visa (commonly about £319; some guidance sites list £298 depending on changes—always check the official page for the country-specific fee).
- IHS: seasonal workers typically do not pay the full IHS since their leave is short, but check the current guidance at application time.
- Processing time: decisions are usually made within a few weeks of biometrics; peak seasons may experience local backlog. The visa is often issued in time for the seasonal start date if the application is complete.
Documents you need
- Passport.
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference from your employer.
- Evidence of ties/intent to return home (some applicants include return tickets, family ties, employment).
- Proof of any required vaccinations or TB tests depending on your country.
- Any documents requested by the sponsor or local visa centre.
Application deadlines & seasonal windows
Seasonal jobs follow the employer’s schedule. For example: horticulture placements are typically up to 6 months, while some poultry seasons are confined to 2 October–31 December each year. You must ensure your visa covers the season you are contracted for. Apply early to secure your slot with the sponsor.
Applying from outside the UK
Most seasonal worker applicants apply from their home country: apply online, attend a biometric appointment, and ensure you have the correct CoS and supporting documents. Employers often coordinate arrivals and may provide guidance on appointment timing.
5 — Youth Mobility Scheme (young people, temporary work & travel)
What it is and who it suits
The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allows young people from participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. It is not restricted to highly skilled work; participants often take jobs in hospitality, retail, admin, and other entry-level roles. The scheme is age and nationality restricted (only certain countries qualify) and is intended for cultural exchange as much as work.
Key eligibility requirements
- You must be from a participating country or territory and meet age rules (usually 18–30).
- Proof of sufficient savings and meet any other nationality-specific conditions (for example, selection in a ballot for Hong Kong/Taiwan participants).
- You cannot bring dependants initially.
Costs and processing
- Application fee: around £319 (official fee varies so confirm on gov.uk).
- IHS: Youth Mobility applicants usually pay a reduced IHS (students/younger applicants sometimes pay a lower rate; check current guidance — historically this was lower than the standard adult IHS). The gov.uk pages show the IHS for Youth Mobility applicants and the need to pay it at application.
- Processing time: apply online; decisions are typically made within a few weeks after biometrics. Ballot or selection processes apply to some nationalities and will affect timing.
Documents you need
- Valid passport.
- Evidence of funds.
- Any documents requested for nationality-specific processes (ballot confirmation for Hong Kong/Taiwan).
- TB test if required by your country.
Application deadlines & timing
There is no universal deadline, but some countries (e.g., Hong Kong) use a ballot system and specific application windows; check nationality pages on gov.uk and apply when your round opens.
Applying from outside the UK
Youth Mobility applicants must apply online from abroad, pay fees and IHS, and attend biometrics appointment when required. Successful applicants receive entry clearance allowing them to come to the UK.
Practical notes, costs summary and policy changes to watch
Quick fee pointers
Skilled Worker fees vary by duration and location; gov.uk lists country-specific fees; DIY estimates given above are indicative — always check the official fee calculator before applying.
Some visas (Health & Care) have IHS exemptions; others must pay IHS at the stated annual rate.
Processing and planning
For sponsored roles you must coordinate closely with the employer — they issue the CoS and will often advise on timing. Apply early, especially for jobs tied to start dates or seasonal work.
Policy changes to monitor (important for 2025–2026)
The UK government has announced tougher English language rules for some routes that will take effect in 2026 (raising some routes from B1 to B2). This may affect eligibility for Skilled Worker, Scale-up and other routes; verify current English requirements before applying.
To begin the application process for any of these visa opportunities, please visit the official UK government website below:
- Skilled Worker visa – https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
- Health and Care Worker visa (a Skilled Worker variant) – https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
- Scale-up Worker visa – https://www.gov.uk/scale-up-worker-visa
- Temporary Work — Seasonal Worker visa – https://www.gov.uk/seasonal-worker-visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme (work for young people) – https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility
Hugh Kinnins
