Skilled Worker visa strategy — Appendix Skilled Worker eligibility map

Map the Skilled Worker route for [CLIENT_NAME] against the [JOB_TITLE] offer at [EMPLOYER] (SOC code [SOC_CODE], salary GBP [SALARY_GBP], applicant [APPLICANT_LOCATION]).

The Skilled Worker route (Appendix Skilled Worker) is the primary UK work visa. Eligibility is rules-based — pass all checks or refusal is automatic.

§1 — APPENDIX SKILLED WORKER CORE REQUIREMENTS (150-180 words)

Validity requirements (SW 1):
  ▪ Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an A-rated sponsor
  ▪ CoS used within 3 months of issue
  ▪ Application fee + IHS paid
  ▪ Biometrics enrolment

Eligibility (SW 4 onwards):
  ▪ Genuine vacancy + sponsor genuine — sponsor licence checks (SW 4.2)
  ▪ Job at RQF Level 3+ (the post-2020 change from RQF 6+ allowed many roles previously out of scope)
  ▪ Salary threshold from April 2024:
      - General threshold: GBP 38,700/year minimum [VERIFY]
      - Going rate for SOC code: applicant must be paid the higher of GBP 38,700 OR the published going rate for the SOC code (Annex E of Appendix Skilled Worker)
      - "New entrant" discount: GBP 30,960 for under-26 / recent graduates / PhD-relevant / Immigration Salary List
  ▪ Tradeable points: education / Shortage / PhD-relevant role can each add tradeable points
  ▪ English language: B1 CEFR via SELT / degree-in-English / nationality
  ▪ Maintenance: GBP 1,270 held for 28 days OR sponsor certifies maintenance on CoS

§2 — SOC CODE + GOING RATE CHECK (120-150 words)

SOC 2020 (Standard Occupational Classification 2020) determines:
  ▪ Whether the role qualifies (must be on Annex E — most professional / managerial / skilled trades qualify)
  ▪ The going rate for the role (Annex E Table)
  ▪ Whether the role is on Immigration Salary List (Annex F)

For [SOC_CODE]:
  ▪ Confirm code matches the actual job duties (employer-assigned but UKVI can challenge if duties differ)
  ▪ Going rate for [SOC_CODE]: [look up Annex E or mark VERIFY]
  ▪ Higher of GBP 38,700 OR [SOC_CODE] going rate determines minimum salary
  ▪ Offered salary GBP [SALARY_GBP] meets / exceeds / falls short

If salary falls short:
  ▪ Negotiate higher salary
  ▪ Check Immigration Salary List (20% discount possible)
  ▪ Check New Entrant discount (under-26 / recent UK graduates)
  ▪ Check PhD discount (PhD in relevant subject = 10% off going rate, NOT off general threshold)

§3 — SPONSOR LICENCE VERIFICATION (100-120 words)

Verify [EMPLOYER]'s Sponsor Licence:
  ▪ Licence visible on UKVI Register of Worker and Temporary Worker Sponsors
  ▪ Licence type: Worker (skilled) — for Skilled Worker route
  ▪ Rating: A-rated (preferred) or B-rated (sponsor must remediate; CoS may be at risk)
  ▪ Licence start date + expiry
  ▪ Authorising Officer + Key Contact registered

If sponsor is B-rated:
  ▪ Sponsor has 3 months to remediate gaps OR licence will be downgraded
  ▪ Existing CoS valid but applicant should ensure remediation in progress
  ▪ Sponsor cannot assign new CoS until A-rated

If sponsor licence has lapsed / been revoked:
  ▪ Applicant cannot apply
  ▪ Existing visa holders have grace period (60-90 days) to switch sponsor or leave

§4 — ENGLISH + MAINTENANCE (80-100 words)

English (B1 CEFR):
  ▪ India is NOT on majority English-speaking list
  ▪ Acceptable: IELTS UKVI Academic 4.0 each skill / overall 4.0, OR degree taught in English (most Indian Bachelor's from major universities), OR nationality (not applicable for India)
  ▪ Most Indian applicants meet via prior UK Student visa OR prior degree from recognised Indian university (Delhi University, IITs, IIMs, etc.)

Maintenance:
  ▪ GBP 1,270 held 28 days (Appendix Finance)
  ▪ OR sponsor certifies on CoS (typically large employers; saves applicant the evidence burden)
  ▪ Joint accounts / parent funds NOT permitted for Skilled Worker (unlike Student)

§5 — FOUR-TRACK STRATEGY (200-250 words)

Track A — DIRECT SKILLED WORKER GRANT (primary path):
  ▪ Strong if: salary clearly meets threshold, A-rated sponsor, applicant has clean status
  ▪ Apply outside UK (Entry Clearance) at VFS India OR inside UK (Switching) if in-country
  ▪ Fee: GBP 719-1,500 depending on duration + location
  ▪ Processing: 3 weeks standard outside UK; 8 weeks inside UK
  ▪ Priority: 5 working days; Super Priority: next working day

Track B — IMMIGRATION SALARY LIST ROUTE (if SOC on list):
  ▪ 20% salary discount (GBP 30,960 floor)
  ▪ Reduced application fee in some cases
  ▪ Same path otherwise
  ▪ Applies to specific shortage occupations — care workers, certain healthcare, some teaching

Track C — GLOBAL BUSINESS MOBILITY (Senior or Specialist Worker) (if intra-company):
  ▪ For Indian employees of multinationals transferring to UK branch
  ▪ Minimum 12 months service with sponsor (60-day exception for highly-paid)
  ▪ Salary threshold typically higher (GBP 48,500 [VERIFY])
  ▪ NOT a path to settlement (cannot be used for 5-year ILR clock)
  ▪ Maximum 5 years (9 years for high earners)

Track D — ALTERNATIVE: GLOBAL TALENT / SCALE-UP / HIGH POTENTIAL INDIVIDUAL:
  ▪ Global Talent: endorsement-based (Tech Nation, Royal Society, etc.); no sponsor; full work freedom
  ▪ Scale-up: sponsor-led for first 6 months; then full mobility
  ▪ HPI: graduates from top global universities; 2-year unsponsored work; no settlement

§6 — RECOMMENDED PRIMARY PATH (80-100 words)

Based on [APPLICANT_PROFILE] + [JOB_TITLE] + [SOC_CODE] + [SALARY_GBP]:

Primary recommendation: [Track A / B / C / D]
Justification:
  ▪ Salary [meets/exceeds] going rate
  ▪ Sponsor [is/is not] A-rated
  ▪ Applicant [does/does not] qualify for discount routes
  ▪ Settlement timeline: 5 years on Skilled Worker → ILR; 6 years → Citizenship

Parallel actions:
  ▪ Verify CoS within 3 months of issue
  ▪ Apply 3 months before intended start date (Entry Clearance)
  ▪ Family dependants ready to apply alongside (Skilled Worker Dependant generous)

§7 — INDIAN-SPECIFIC NOTES (60-80 words)

  ▪ TB test required (IOM-approved clinics in India) for 6+ month stays
  ▪ India PCC from passport office may be requested by employer (often for healthcare roles)
  ▪ Police certificate from EVERY country resided 12+ months in last 10 years (excluding UK)
  ▪ BRP collection within 10 days at UK Post Office (transitioning to eVisa 2025+)
  ▪ Indian degrees recognised under ENIC-UK equivalency

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Salary thresholds and Immigration Salary List update annually (April Statement of Changes). Confirm current rates before quoting clients. Sponsor Licence status must be re-verified on day of application — sponsors can be downgraded overnight."