Skilled Worker

Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker route enables UK employers with an appropriate sponsor licence to recruit or continue to employ skilled non-British or Irish citizens in a specific job. It is the most popular route of entry and stay for work purposes. It is also open to multinational employers to sponsor existing non-British or Irish citizen employees of an overseas-linked entity under Skilled Worker even if they would meet the requirements for the Global Business Mobility—Senior or Specialist Worker or Graduate Trainee routes (which cater specifically for intra-company transfers). In many cases the eligibility requirements are less restrictive, and there is the option of settlement, in the Skilled Worker route.

The Skilled Worker route replaced Tier 2 (General) in the post-Brexit immigration system and, at the time of its introduction on 1 December 2020, was significantly less restrictive than its predecessor. Among other things, the minimum skill level was dropped from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6 to RQF Level 3 (ie broadly from degree level to ‘A’ level) and the minimum salary levels were generally reduced. After the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the route became heavily used, with numbers particularly

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Immigration News

the3million, British in Europe and ILPA propose mitigating measures on ETA and ETIAS for dual nationals

the3million, British in Europe and the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) have written to UK and EU officials proposing mitigating measures for dual nationals affected by the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the EU European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The letter follows the Home Office’s rejection of earlier proposals and highlights two policy developments: a temporary concession allowing travel with an expired UK passport issued from 1989 alongside a valid passport of an ETA-eligible nationality, and updated guidance permitting some dual nationals with EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status to enter the UK using a non-British passport or EU/EEA/Swiss national identity card. The organisations propose further measures, including extending the policy to all UK-based Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries who are dual nationals, introducing reciprocal arrangements between the UK and EU, and allowing all dual nationals to travel using their non-EU or British passports.

Praxis publishes analysis on impact of Home Office earned settlement proposals on child poverty

Praxis has published findings from an independent analysis commissioned by the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Partnership and conducted by Landman Economics and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), estimating that the Home Office’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ rules could leave up to 90,000 children of migrant workers in poverty by 2029. It finds that extending settlement routes would prolong poverty among working migrant families already in the UK, particularly affecting the children of senior care workers.

Lady Chief Justice addresses tribunal transparency and judicial security concerns at annual press conference

The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Carr, has delivered her annual press conference, outlining judicial priorities and commenting on recent legislative developments. She confirmed that the publication of First-tier Tribunal determinations remains a development she would be keen to see, acknowledging that progress has been slower than anticipated due to the complexity of implementation. She also raised concerns about increasing levels of harassment directed at judges on social media. Addressing government proposals to replace the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber with a new adjudicator body, she stated that the judiciary has not been provided with detailed plans, timelines or proposals, and emphasised that such information is necessary to assess the human and professional implications for judges.

Immigration weekly highlights—19 March 2026

Welcome to the 19 March 2026 highlights from the Immigration team, which provides links to key news stories from the last week, as well as a round-up of new and updated content in Immigration.