UK Skilled Worker Visa: A Guide for Residents of Switzerland Seeking Employment in the UK

For residents of Switzerland—whether Swiss nationals or foreign nationals living in Switzerland—the United Kingdom continues to offer attractive career prospects across a wide range of sectors. If you are considering relocating to the UK for work, the Skilled Worker Visa may provide a clear and structured route to employment and, eventually, permanent settlement. This visa enables qualified professionals with a job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor to live and work in the UK. It is one of the UK’s flagship immigration routes for overseas talent.

In this article, we explore the Skilled Worker Visa route in detail, tailored specifically for Swiss-based applicants. Whether you are an experienced professional, a graduate entering the job market, or an entrepreneur seeking to self-sponsor through your own UK company, understanding the requirements and opportunities of the Skilled Worker route is essential.

What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker Visa is available to applicants of all nationalities who have received an offer of employment from a UK-based employer that holds a Home Office sponsor licence. The position must meet both minimum skill and salary thresholds. This visa category offers a route to long-term residence, with the potential to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after five years. Family members—specifically dependent partners and children—can also accompany or join the main applicant in the UK.

For residents of Switzerland, the Skilled Worker route offers a valuable opportunity to secure lawful employment in the UK post-Brexit, following the end of freedom of movement between the UK and the EU.

Core Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa

To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet several criteria, including sponsorship, salary, skill level, and language proficiency. The key requirements are as follows:

• Sponsorship: You must have a valid job offer from a UK-based employer licensed by the Home Office to sponsor Skilled Worker Visa applicants. This includes obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) outlining your job role, salary, and start date.

• Skill Level: Your role must be eligible under the UK’s Skilled Occupation list. Typically, the job must be at RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels).

• Genuine Vacancy: The Home Office must be satisfied that your role is genuine and not created solely to facilitate a visa application.

• Salary: You must be paid a salary that meets both the general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for your occupation code. For most roles, this is a minimum of £38,700 per year. However, exceptions apply for new entrants, certain healthcare and education roles, and individuals scoring tradable points (e.g. PhD holders).

• English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR Level B1 or above. This can be met through a language test, qualifications taught in English, or previous UK visa grants.

• Maintenance Funds: Unless exempt, you must show proof of available funds of at least £1,270 to support yourself upon arrival.

Depending on the job you are offered, you may also be required to provide a criminal record certificate or tuberculosis test results, particularly for roles in healthcare, education, or social care.

Pathway for Swiss-Based Entrepreneurs: Self-Sponsorship

An increasingly popular route for business owners and professionals in Switzerland is to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa through self-sponsorship. This allows you to set up or operate your own UK-based company and use that business as your visa sponsor, provided it meets all Home Office requirements. This option may appeal to Swiss entrepreneurs seeking to expand into the UK market or establish a permanent presence in Britain through direct investment and operational oversight.

Understanding the Certificate of Sponsorship

The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a vital component of your visa application. It is issued by your UK employer and contains key information about the job, including:

• Your name, job title, and salary;

• Confirmation that the job is eligible and the offer is genuine;

• A start date no later than 3 months after the visa application.

The CoS must be assigned by an A-rated sponsor listed on the Home Office’s Register of Sponsors. It must not be reused or issued more than three months before your visa application.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Salary Requirements: General and Sector-Specific Thresholds

The Skilled Worker route imposes specific salary requirements. Generally, applicants must earn at least £38,700 per year and meet the going rate for the job role. However, several exceptions exist:

• New entrants to the labour market (including those under 26 or switching from a Student Visa) may qualify on a lower salary, starting at £30,960.

• PhD holders—especially in STEM subjects—benefit from lower salary thresholds based on academic qualifications.

• Healthcare and education professionals may qualify with a lower general salary threshold (£23,200 or £29,000, depending on the role).

• Jobs on the Immigration Salary List can be sponsored at lower salaries due to sector shortages.

It is important to calculate salary based on a 37.5-hour working week and, where applicable, meet minimum hourly wage requirements. For most roles, this is £15.88 per hour; for those under transitional arrangements or in healthcare roles, it may be £11.90.

Switching into the UK Skilled Worker Route From Other Visa Routes

Applicants based in Switzerland may apply directly for a Skilled Worker Visa from abroad. However, if you are already in the UK on another visa (excluding Visitor, Short-Term Student, Seasonal Worker, and certain other routes), you may be eligible to switch into the Skilled Worker category without leaving the country.

Special provisions exist for graduates and PhD candidates who have completed or nearly completed their course, enabling a seamless transition into sponsored employment.

Conditions of Stay and Settlement

Once granted, a Skilled Worker Visa is typically valid for the duration of your employment contract (as stated on your CoS), plus an additional 14 days. There is no maximum time limit on how long you can remain in the UK under this route, provided you continue to meet the relevant criteria and renew your permission as needed.

After five continuous years in the UK under the Skilled Worker route—or a combination of eligible visa categories—you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement). To do so, you must pass the Life in the UK Test, meet salary and sponsor requirements, and demonstrate continuous residence.

Bringing Dependants to the UK on a UK Work Visa

Skilled Workers may be accompanied or joined by a dependent partner (aged 18 or over) and any children under 18. Dependants must apply separately for their visas but can enjoy many of the same rights and privileges, including work and study rights (subject to age).

Professional UK Work Permit Support for Swiss Applicants

Applying for a Skilled Worker Visa from Switzerland involves careful preparation, including ensuring that your UK sponsor is compliant with Home Office regulations, your role qualifies under the appropriate SOC code, and your salary and language ability meet the required thresholds.

At Richmond Chambers Switzerland, our experienced UK immigration lawyers regularly advise clients in Switzerland—both Swiss nationals and foreign residents—on navigating the Skilled Worker Visa process. We also assist with self-sponsorship, sponsor licence applications for UK employers, and long-term planning for settlement.

Whether you are a professional with a confirmed job offer or an entrepreneur exploring expansion to the UK, our team can guide you through every step of the visa process.

Contact Our Skilled Worker Visa Lawyers in Switzerland

If you are based in Switzerland and considering applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, contact our business immigration team today for expert, personalised advice. Call us on +41 21 588 07 70, email info@richmondchambers.ch or submit an enquiry through our website to arrange a consultation.

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