Job Spectra

UK Skilled Worker visa for Indians: requirements, process and timeline

You need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, a certificate of sponsorship from that employer, a job on the list of eligible occupations, and English at the required level. You apply online. GOV.UK says a decision usually arrives within 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK, and the visa can last up to 5 years.

How does an Indian get a UK Skilled Worker visa?

You need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, a certificate of sponsorship from that employer, a job on the list of eligible occupations, and English at the required level. You apply online. GOV.UK says a decision usually arrives within 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK, and the visa can last up to 5 years.

The requirements, as GOV.UK states them

• You must work for a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office (a licensed sponsor).
• You must have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, and a confirmed job offer before you apply.
• The job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
• You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
• You must meet the salary requirement. GOV.UK publishes the current figures on separate pages, and they change, so always read the live page before you decide.

How the process works

1. Find a job with an employer that holds a sponsor licence, and check them on the Home Office's register of licensed sponsors.
2. Get a written job offer and your certificate of sponsorship from the employer.
3. Check the salary and occupation rules for your job on GOV.UK, and prove your English.
4. Apply online, from outside the UK if you are in India.
5. Wait for the decision. GOV.UK says to expect a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.

How long the visa lasts and what comes next

The Skilled Worker visa can last up to 5 years before you need to extend it. After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK. Your partner and children may be able to apply to join you as dependants. For the full sequence of steps before you travel, read how to get a job abroad from India.

Protect yourself from fake UK job offers

• A real sponsored job comes from a sponsor on the official register, not from a social media account or a private email address.
• Do not pay anyone for a certificate of sponsorship. The employer, not the worker, holds that responsibility.
• UK-based employers and UK-recruited jobs are not covered by India's emigration clearance rules, but India's agent rules still apply if an Indian agency recruits you. See how to check whether an agency is registered and read about overseas job scams.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa
• GOV.UK: register of licensed sponsors (workers)

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Information only, not legal advice.

Related guides

• How to check if an Indian recruitment agency is MEA registered
• Overseas job scams in India: warning signs and what to do
• How to get a job abroad from India: a safe, step-by-step guide
• Canada Express Entry and the CRS score: how it works for Indian applicants