Yes. The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa on 1 December 2020. However, it is not quite right to treat it as only a new name for the same route. The current Skilled Worker route kept the basic idea of sponsored employment, but the eligibility rules, salary system, skill requirements and sponsorship process have changed significantly since the old Tier 2 framework.
If you are searching for a "Tier 2 visa", you are probably looking for the Skilled Worker visa. New applicants normally apply under the Skilled Worker route, while people who previously held Tier 2 permission may need to understand how transitional rules affect extensions, job changes or settlement.
The key point is that dates matter. The date of your first Tier 2 or Skilled Worker permission, the date your Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned, your occupation code and your salary can all affect which rules apply. If you are unsure where you fit, Immigration UK can help you understand the route before you submit an application.
Is the Skilled Worker Visa the Same as Tier 2?
The Skilled Worker visa is the route that replaced Tier 2 (General), but it is not identical. Tier 2 (General) was part of the older points-based immigration system. The Skilled Worker route is the current sponsored work route for many overseas workers taking eligible jobs with Home Office-approved UK employers.
It is also worth being precise about the wording. "Tier 2" used to cover more than one category, including Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) and Tier 2 (Sportsperson). The Skilled Worker visa replaced Tier 2 (General), not every former Tier 2 category.
The official GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa guidance confirms that the route replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa and sets out the current eligibility rules. Applicants still need sponsorship, an eligible job, a qualifying salary and English language ability, but the details are now assessed under the Skilled Worker rules.
Tier 2 General Versus Skilled Worker: What Changed?
The move from Tier 2 (General) to Skilled Worker was a major reform, not a simple rebrand. Some changes made the route more flexible, while later reforms have tightened parts of the system, especially around salary levels, skill levels and dependants.
- Route name: Tier 2 (General) is now a former route. Skilled Worker is the current main sponsored work route.
- Replacement date: Skilled Worker replaced Tier 2 (General) on 1 December 2020.
- Sponsorship: Both routes require sponsorship by a licensed UK employer.
- Resident Labour Market Test: This was removed under the Skilled Worker route, so employers no longer have to follow the old advertising test before sponsoring most roles.
- Annual cap: The old annual limit on certain Certificates of Sponsorship was abolished.
- Cooling-off period: The previous cooling-off period was removed, making it easier for some workers to return or continue under sponsored work routes.
- Maximum stay: The old six-year limit for many Tier 2 workers no longer applies in the same way.
- Settlement: Skilled Worker remains a route that can lead to indefinite leave to remain, provided the requirements are met.
That does not mean the Skilled Worker route is automatically easier. Current rules must be checked carefully, especially where a role falls below graduate level, where dependants are involved, or where a worker relies on transitional salary provisions.
Key Skilled Worker Visa Rule Changes Since 2020
The Skilled Worker route has changed several times since it replaced Tier 2 (General). This is why advice based on an old "Tier 2 visa" article can be misleading. A rule that applied in 2021 may not apply to a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned in 2026.
The December 2020 Replacement
When the Skilled Worker route launched, it introduced a more flexible points-based structure. The Resident Labour Market Test was removed, the annual cap was abolished and the route allowed more tradeable points in areas such as salary and qualifications. At launch, the skill threshold was also lower than under some older Tier 2 rules.
A Certificate of Sponsorship, often called a CoS, remained central to the process. Despite the name, it is not a paper certificate and it is not the visa itself. It is an electronic sponsorship record issued by the employer, confirming details such as the job, salary, occupation code and start date.
Salary and Occupation Changes From 2024
From April 2024, the Skilled Worker salary framework changed substantially. Salary thresholds increased and the old Shortage Occupation List was replaced by the Immigration Salary List. Occupation-specific going rates also became increasingly important.
There is no single universal minimum salary that applies to every Skilled Worker applicant. The correct salary depends on the occupation code, going rate, weekly hours, whether the role is in health or education, whether the applicant is a new entrant, whether a relevant PhD applies and whether transitional provisions are available.
Skill Level and Dependant Changes From July 2025
For Certificates of Sponsorship assigned from 22 July 2025, current guidance generally requires roles to be skilled to RQF level 6, unless an exception or transitional provision applies. Some jobs below graduate level may still qualify if they fall within specified lists or transitional arrangements, but this must be checked carefully.
Dependant rules have also become more restricted for many below-graduate-level roles. It is no longer safe to assume that every Skilled Worker can bring a partner and children. The answer can depend on the occupation, the worker's immigration history and whether transitional rules apply.
English Language Changes in 2026
From 8 January 2026, the usual English requirement for new Skilled Worker applicants is B2. Some continuing Skilled Workers may still rely on B1 under transitional arrangements, depending on their previous permission and the rules that apply to them. Settlement English rules also need checking separately, especially where future-dated provisions apply.
What Are the Current Skilled Worker Requirements?
A Skilled Worker applicant normally needs a genuine job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor. The employer must assign the correct type of Certificate of Sponsorship, and the role must match an eligible occupation code. The salary must meet the relevant general threshold and the occupation-specific going rate, unless a permitted lower salary option applies.
The route is still part of the points-based system. Applicants normally need points for sponsorship, skill level, salary and English language. Some of these points are mandatory, while salary-related points can sometimes be met through tradeable options, such as new entrant status or a relevant PhD.
If you are new to sponsored work visas, the UK work visa guidance on Immigration UK explains how work routes generally operate and when professional support may be useful. For a deeper look at sponsorship itself, the article on what visa sponsorship means is also relevant.
Salary Rules: Why One Figure Is Not Enough
One of the biggest misunderstandings about the Skilled Worker visa is the idea that there is one simple salary threshold. In reality, the applicant usually needs to satisfy both a general salary threshold and the going rate for the occupation. If the going rate is higher than the general threshold, the going rate can be the more important figure.
Current salary options include different thresholds depending on the applicant's circumstances, including higher standard thresholds and lower options for certain PhD holders, Immigration Salary List roles, new entrants, health and education occupations and transitional cases. Some Health and Care roles and national pay scale jobs have their own treatment.
Not every payment counts towards salary. Overtime, bonuses, many allowances and benefits may be excluded. The salary must also comply with employment law requirements such as the National Minimum Wage and Working Time rules. Choosing the wrong salary figure can cause problems for an otherwise strong application.
Can Former Tier 2 Visa Holders Extend or Change Jobs?
Former Tier 2 (General) holders can often continue under the Skilled Worker framework, but the application is assessed under the current route, sometimes with transitional rules. Whether those transitional provisions help depends on the person's immigration history, job, salary, occupation code and the timing of their Certificates of Sponsorship.
If you are extending with the same employer, same occupation code and same role, the process may be more straightforward. Even then, you must apply before your current permission expires and you must still meet the relevant requirements at the time of application.
If you change employer, or move to a different occupation code, you will usually need to apply to update your Skilled Worker permission before starting the new role. A new Certificate of Sponsorship will normally be required. Starting work for a new sponsor too early can create right-to-work issues, so timing matters.
Documents You May Need for a Skilled Worker Application
The documents required depend on the applicant, the job and whether dependants are applying. However, most Skilled Worker applications involve a similar core set of information.
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- Passport or other valid identity document.
- Job title, salary and occupation code.
- Employer name and sponsor licence number.
- English language evidence, unless exempt.
- Bank statements if the financial requirement is not otherwise met.
- Tuberculosis test certificate where required by nationality and residence history.
- Criminal record certificate for certain occupations.
- ATAS certificate where the role requires it.
- Relationship evidence for dependant partners or children.
- Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.
Applicants should avoid using a generic checklist without checking the route-specific requirements. A care role, a health professional role, a PhD-based salary option or an application with dependants can all require different evidence.
Dependants, Costs and Settlement
Skilled Worker visa holders may be able to bring a spouse, civil partner, qualifying unmarried partner and dependent children. However, dependant eligibility is not automatic. Restrictions now apply to certain care roles and many below-graduate-level jobs, subject to exceptions and transitional arrangements.
Application costs vary depending on whether the applicant applies from inside or outside the UK, the length of sponsorship and whether the role is eligible for reduced fees. The Immigration Health Surcharge is also usually payable, although Health and Care Worker applicants may be treated differently. Applicants and dependants may also need to meet maintenance requirements unless an exemption applies or the sponsor certifies maintenance.
The Skilled Worker route can lead to settlement after five qualifying years, provided the applicant meets the relevant rules. These include continuous residence, Life in the UK, English language, ongoing sponsorship, genuine employment and the applicable salary requirement. If you are planning ahead, it can help to understand Skilled Worker ILR considerations before making changes to your role or employer.
Which Rules Apply to You?
The simplest way to approach the issue is to start with your immigration timeline. If you are applying for the first time, you will normally be assessed under the current Skilled Worker rules. If you held Tier 2 before December 2020, or received a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship before major rule changes in 2024 or 2025, transitional provisions may be relevant.
You should check your first grant of permission, your current visa expiry date, your occupation code, your salary, your hours, your employer's sponsor licence status and whether your job is covered by any special list or transitional arrangement. The same person may face different requirements when extending, changing employer or applying for settlement.
Immigration rules change frequently, and Skilled Worker is one of the routes most affected by recent reforms. Before applying, it is sensible to check the latest official guidance and take advice if your case involves dependants, salary concessions, care work, a job change or previous Tier 2 permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Skilled Worker visa just the new name for Tier 2?
It replaced Tier 2 (General), but it is not simply the same visa with a new label. The sponsorship, salary, skill and dependant rules have changed over time.
Can I still apply for a Tier 2 visa?
New applicants generally apply under the Skilled Worker route rather than Tier 2 (General). "Tier 2" is now mainly historical wording for this type of sponsored work permission.
Does Tier 2 time count towards Skilled Worker settlement?
Qualifying Tier 2 residence may count towards the five-year settlement period where the Immigration Rules allow it. You must still meet the current settlement requirements when applying.
Can I change employer on a Skilled Worker visa?
Usually, yes, but you will normally need a new Certificate of Sponsorship and an application to update your permission before starting the new sponsored role.
Is there one minimum salary for every Skilled Worker visa?
No. The required salary depends on the occupation code, going rate, hours, salary option, job type and any transitional provisions that apply.
