🇬🇧 UK · Work visa

UK Work visa approval odds

The UK Skilled Worker visa needs a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, in an eligible graduate-level occupation, paying at least £41,700 a year or the occupation's going rate — whichever is higher (threshold since 22 July 2025, in force through 2026). With a valid CoS and correct salary, approval is largely procedural.

Last reviewed July 2026 per our editorial standards. Source: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: your job (salary rules) .

UK assesses a work visa on whether you have a genuine, sponsored job you are qualified for. As an approximate starting point, this route runs near a 89% base approval — your finances, ties and history then push your personal odds up or down.

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Key requirements

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor
Job in an eligible (graduate-level) occupation code
Salary of at least £41,700/year or the occupation's going rate — whichever is higher
English at CEFR B1 (test, degree taught in English, or exempt nationality)
Application fee + Immigration Health Surcharge; £1,270 maintenance unless your sponsor certifies it

Visa fee (cost)

From £819 for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa (April 2026 rate), plus the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge.

Money & funds

Salary must meet £41,700/year or the going rate for your occupation (higher of the two); lower thresholds exist for new entrants and shortage roles. Plus £1,270 in savings unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.

Typical timeline

Around 3 weeks for most overseas applications once biometrics are done; priority services can shorten this.

Common refusal reasons

Salary below the general threshold or the occupation's going rate
Sponsor licence problems or an invalid CoS
Wrong or ineligible occupation code
English language requirement not met
Maintenance funds not evidenced correctly

UK work visa refusal rates by nationality (year to March 2026)

Home Office decisions on entry clearance applications, by the applicant's nationality and visa type, for the year to March 2026. Withdrawn and lapsed applications are excluded. None of these predicts an individual decision — they show how strictly the bar has been applied.

UK work visa outcomes in year to March 2026, best to worst, for the nationalities we publish pages for.
Nationality	Refused	Issued	Decided
Saudi Arabia	1.2%	98.8%	408
Egypt	4.1%	95.9%	2,890
Morocco	8.3%	91.7%	591
Turkey	8.5%	91.5%	3,538
the Philippines	8.8%	91.2%	18,300
India	8.9%	91.1%	56,141
Indonesia	9.2%	90.8%	1,483
Kenya	11.2%	88.8%	5,223
Vietnam	15.9%	84.1%	397
Nepal	16.9%	83.1%	2,579
Sri Lanka	19.8%	80.2%	3,967
Pakistan	25.8%	74.2%	17,414
Nigeria	35.3%	64.7%	16,055
Uganda	36.2%	63.8%	845
Ethiopia	37.4%	62.6%	505
Bangladesh	42.2%	57.8%	4,701
Ghana	43.2%	56.8%	5,915
Cameroon	44.3%	55.7%	596

Source: UK Home Office — outcomes of entry clearance visa applications by nationality and visa type (Vis_D02) . Every nationality above links to its own page with the year-on-year movement and a comparison across destinations.

What actually moves the needle

A confirmed offer from a sponsoring employer

This is the heart of work decisions for UK. Make it concrete and documented rather than assumed.

Qualifications and experience that match the role

Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.

A sponsor in good standing

Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.

Avoid the common pitfall

The most frequent reason this route fails is an unconfirmed offer or a role that does not match your background. Address it directly and you remove the biggest doubt.

Frequently asked questions

What is the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold in 2026?

£41,700 per year or the going rate for your specific occupation — whichever is higher — for most standard applications (in force since 22 July 2025). New entrants and some listed roles have lower thresholds, and Health and Care roles follow their own rules.

Can I apply for a Skilled Worker visa without a sponsor?

No. A Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed employer is the foundation of the route — without it there is no application.

Do I need to prove savings for a Skilled Worker visa?

You need £1,270 held for 28 days unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS, which most established sponsors do.

How long does the UK Skilled Worker visa take?

Usually about 3 weeks from outside the UK after biometrics, with paid priority options in many countries.

Why are Skilled Worker visas refused?

Almost always mechanics: salary under the threshold or going rate, CoS/sponsor issues, wrong occupation code, or English/maintenance evidence problems — fix those and the route is predictable.

Explore related visa odds

UK work visa odds by nationality

Other visas to UK

Work visa odds elsewhere

Helpful guides

UK ETA 2026: who needs it, cost (£20) and how to apply → How long does a visa take? US, UK, Canada & Schengen (2026) → How to read visa approval and refusal rates → How to prove strong ties to your home country → How to document your finances for a visa → What to do after a visa refusal →