If you’re considering a move to the United Kingdom as a skilled professional, you’ve likely heard the term “Express Entry.” It’s important to clear up a common confusion right at the start: The UK does not have a system called ‘Express Entry.’ That’s Canada’s flagship immigration program.
What the UK does have is its own points-based immigration system, launched in 2021. For skilled workers, the main route is the Skilled Worker visa. While it’s a different process with a different name, the core idea is similar: you need to score enough points to qualify.
This guide cuts through the jargon and walks you, step-by-step, through what moving to the UK as a skilled worker actually involves today.
The Foundation: How the UK Points System Works
Gone are the days of complex, ambiguous rules. The UK system is now transparent: you need 70 points to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. Some points are mandatory, and some are “tradeable.” Think of it like building a meal—you must have your main course, but you can choose your sides.
The Non-Negotiables (50 Points):
- A Job Offer from a UK Licensed Sponsor: This is the absolute cornerstone. The company offering you the role must be on the UK government’s official list of approved sponsors. You cannot apply without this.
- The Job Must Be at a Required Skill Level: Typically, this means RQF Level 3 or above (A-level equivalent). Your employer will know the specific “SOC code” for your role.
- Speaking English at a Required Level: Usually B1 (intermediate) on the CEFR scale. This can often be proven with a degree taught in English or by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
Get these three things, and you have 50 points. You only need 20 more.
The “Tradeable” Points (You Need 20):
You can mix and match from these categories to reach your 70-point target.
- Salary: This is the most common way. Earning at least £26,200 per year generally gives you 20 points. But there’s a twist—you can earn fewer points for a lower salary if you have a PhD relevant to the job, or if the job is in a recognized shortage occupation.
- Salary in a Shortage Occupation: If your job is on the shortage occupation list, the salary threshold is lower, and you can earn the required points more easily.
- Education: A PhD in a STEM Subject: A relevant PhD in a science, technology, engineering, or math’s field can give you 10 points, which can be combined with a lower salary threshold.
- Being a New Entrant to the Labor Market: If you’re under 26, a recent graduate, or in professional training, you might qualify as a “new entrant,” which also comes with a lower salary requirement.
Your Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
This isn’t something you do in a weekend. It’s a process that requires patience and careful attention.
Step 1: The Job Hunt (The Most Critical Step)
Your entire application hinges on this. Don’t just look for any job; look for employers who hold a UK Sponsor Licence. Many job postings on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialist industry boards will state “visa sponsorship available.” Be upfront in interviews about your need for sponsorship.
Step 2: Securing Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Once a licensed employer wants to hire you, they will issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship. This isn’t a physical certificate; it’s a unique electronic reference number with your job and personal details. Think of it as your golden ticket. You’ll need this number for your application.
Step 3: Getting Your Documents in Order
While waiting for the CoS, prepare your evidence:
- Passport: Must be valid.
- Proof of English: Your degree certificate or SELT results.
- Job Details: Your employer will provide the SOC code and salary information.
- Financial Evidence: You usually need to show you have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying, unless your sponsor “certifies maintenance” for you.
Step 4: Applying Online and Attending Your Biometrics Appointment
You’ll complete the main application form on the UK Government website (GOV.UK), pay the application fee (which varies by job and visa length), and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This surcharge gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). You’ll then book an appointment at a visa application Centre to submit your passport and have your photo and fingerprints taken.
Step 5: The Decision and Collecting Your Visa
Standard processing times are around 3 weeks, but you can pay for priority services. Once approved, you’ll get a vignette (sticker) in your passport or a digital status allowing you to travel to the UK. You’ll collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after you arrive.
Key Things to Keep in Mind
- Costs Add Up: Budget for the application fee, the IHS (which is significant), and potential legal or agent fees. This is a substantial financial commitment.
- The Role is Tied to the Sponsor: Your visa is linked to the employer who sponsored you. If you want to change jobs, your new employer must also be a licensed sponsor, and you’ll need to update your visa.
- Path to Settlement: The Skilled Worker visa is typically granted for up to 5 years and can be extended. After 5 years residing in the UK on this visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or permanent residency.
Moving to the UK under the new system is a clear, points-based journey. It starts with that crucial sponsored job offer. By understanding the points breakdown and methodically following the steps, you can transform the daunting prospect of immigration into a manageable, achievable plan.
Final Thoughts: Your UK Journey Awaits
Moving countries is never a small decision. It’s a leap into the unknown, filled with excitement, paperwork, and a fair bit of nervous energy. If you’ve read this far, you’re already doing the most important thing: getting informed. You now know that the path to the UK for skilled professionals isn’t a mystery—it’s a structured, points-based system where you control many of the levers.
The most important takeaway is this: your journey hinges on that sponsored job offer. Everything else—the points calculation, the documents, the application—flows from that one achievement. So, channel your energy into a targeted job search with licensed sponsors. Update your CV to speak to UK employers, leverage your professional network, and be prepared to articulate the unique value you bring.
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to the UK as a Skilled Worker
Does the UK have “Express Entry”?
No. This is a common mix-up. “Express Entry” is Canada’s immigration system. The UK’s system for skilled professionals is called the Points-Based Immigration System, and the main visa you’ll apply for is the Skilled Worker visa. The principles are similar—you need to score points to qualify—but the rules and processes are different.
What’s the single most important thing I need?
A job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Sponsor Licence. Without this, you cannot apply for the Skilled Worker visa. Your first and most critical task is securing a role with a company on the UK’s official list of licensed sponsors.
How many points do I need, and how do I get them?
You need 70 points. You get 50 mandatory points for having a sponsored job offer at the required skill level and proving your English ability. The remaining 20 points usually come from your salary. Earning at least £26,200 a year typically gives you the 20 points you need. Points can also come from having a job on the Shortage Occupation List or a relevant PhD.
Is there a list of eligible jobs?
Yes. Every eligible job has a corresponding “SOC code.” Your employer will assign the correct code for your role. The key is that the job must be at skill level RQF 3 or above (roughly A-level equivalent). The UK Government website has a full list of eligible SOC codes.
How much money do I need to have in my bank account?
You must usually show you have at least £1,270 in personal savings, which must have been in your account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. Your sponsor can sometimes certify your maintenance instead, meaning you don’t have to show these savings.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
This is a mandatory fee you pay as part of your application to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). It’s currently £1,035 per year, and you pay for the entire duration of your visa upfront. For a standard 3-year visa, this means an extra £3,105 on top of your application fee.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 can apply as your dependants. They will need to apply separately, show their relationship to you, and prove they have adequate funds for their living costs (unless your sponsor certifies maintenance for them too).
How long does the visa last, and can I stay permanently?
A Skilled Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years. You can extend it, and you can also change employers (your new employer must also be a licensed sponsor). After 5 continuous years living in the UK on this visa, you can typically apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is permanent settlement.
Can I look for a job while visiting the UK as a tourist?
You can attend interviews and network, but you cannot work or be formally employed on a Standard Visitor visa. You must leave the UK and apply for the Skilled Worker visa from your home country (or a country where you have residence rights) once you have a formal job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship.
What happens if I lose my job?
Your visa is tied to your sponsor. If your job ends, your sponsor will report this to the Home Office, and your visa will be curtailed (shortened). You typically have 60 days to either find a new sponsored job and apply to change your visa, or you must leave the UK. It’s a good idea to understand your employer’s and your own obligations.