Bangladeshi applicants · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Skilled Worker visa for Bangladeshi citizens

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 13 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyUp to 5 years on initial grant, extendable; leads to settlement after continuous residence.In flux

This page covers the Skilled Worker visa specifically for Bangladeshi applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Bangladesh. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.

Processing time
3 weeksapplying from outside the UK; switching or extending inside the UK usually takes up to 8 weeks
Worked-example cost
£3,943.20
Typical duration
Up to 5 years on initial grant, extendable; leads to settlement after continuous residence.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed UK Home Office

Bilateral context

  • Commonwealth

Consular processing: a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence

Tourist entry vs. this route

Tourist-entry rules for Bangladeshi nationals change periodically and are separate from the Skilled Worker visa. Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

Key figures for Bangladeshi applicants

Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.

Salary you must earn

£41,700/yr

Skilled Worker — general threshold

Verified 22 July 2025 · GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker

Worked-example route cost

£3,943.20

Single applicant, 3-year CoS, general rate, no priority

Each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant plus their own IHS at £1,035/year (or £776/year if under 18).

Verified 10 September 2026 · GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs

How long it takes

3 weeks

GOV.UK publishes 3 weeks as the typical decision window for Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK.

applying from outside the UK; switching or extending inside the UK usually takes up to 8 weeks

Verified 10 September 2026 · GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times

Time to permanent residence

Arrival → ILR (5 years) → citizenship (6 years). Faster on Global Talent / Innovator Founder (3 years to ILR).

Leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), then British citizenship.

GOV.UK — Citizenship and living in the UK

Will you qualify?

You must clear the general salary floor (£41,700) plus the occupation going rate; tradeable points (PhD, shortage, new entrant) can lower the floor.

Estimate your score

Visa overview

The Skilled Worker visa is the UK's primary sponsored work route, replacing Tier 2 (General) in 2020. It requires a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor, an occupation at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above for new applications since 22 July 2025, English-language proficiency, and salary at or above the route-specific thresholds. Sub-degree (RQF 3–5) occupations are only sponsorable where they appear on the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List, and workers already in the route before 22 July 2025 keep transitional access to RQF 3–5 roles.

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • A job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor holding a valid sponsor licence covering the occupation.UK Home Office
  • A Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the sponsor.UK Home Office
  • An eligible occupation at RQF Level 6 (degree level) or above for new applications since 22 July 2025 — RQF 3–5 occupations only where listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, or under transitional arrangements for existing route holders.UK Home Office
  • Salary at or above both the general threshold and the occupation-specific "going rate". Thresholds change regularly — confirm on GOV.UK.UK Home Office
  • English language at CEFR Level B2 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking for new applications since 8 January 2026 (B1 continues to apply for existing route holders extending or updating).UK Home Office

Common blockers

  • !Employer does not hold a sponsor licence, or its licence does not cover the occupation.UK Home Office
  • !Salary below both the general threshold and the going rate for the SOC code.UK Home Office
  • !Occupation below RQF Level 6 and not on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List (and no transitional protection from a pre-22-July-2025 grant).UK Home Office
  • !Adverse immigration history or unspent criminal convictions within the rules' exclusion categories.

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Find a licensed sponsor

    Apply for roles at UK employers on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. Your offer must meet skill and salary thresholds.

  2. Receive Certificate of Sponsorship

    The sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) quoting the role, salary, and occupation code.

  3. Prepare English and supporting documents

    Sit a Secure English Language Test or confirm your degree or nationality exemption. Gather passport, TB test if applicable, and financial evidence if not exempt.

  4. Submit online application and pay fees

    Complete the online application within 3 months of CoS assignment. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

  5. Biometrics and decision

    Book a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre abroad or use the UK Immigration ID Check app where eligible. From outside the UK, standard decisions usually arrive within 3 weeks of that appointment. In-country switches and extensions usually take up to 8 weeks.

  6. Check your eVisa and travel under the grant conditions

    Follow the decision instructions, check your eVisa status and link the valid passport you will use to your UKVI account. Match the carrier details to that passport. Begin the sponsored work only within the dates and conditions of your permission; do not follow outdated instructions to collect a new BRP.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United Kingdom. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Apply for the Skilled Worker visa

    Use this GOV.UK form to submit the visa application after receiving a Certificate of Sponsorship.

    UK Home Office · verified

  2. Official guidanceEmployer
    Sponsor a worker

    Employers use this guidance to get or manage a sponsor licence before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship.

    UK Home Office · verified

Recent policy changes affecting this route

What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.

  • 3 September 2026In force 8 October 2026

    UK publishes Immigration Rules changes taking effect across October, November and December 2026

    Statement HC 584 introduces rule changes with staged commencement dates from 8 October 2026, including visitor, student, Skilled Worker, EU Settlement Scheme and family-related amendments.

    UK Home Office
  • 8 April 2026In force 8 April 2026

    UK: Skilled Worker English raised to B2, CoS fee £525, Immigration Skills Charge up 32%

    A run of Skilled Worker changes from late 2025 into early 2026 raised the language bar, sponsor costs, and tightened salary assessment.

    UK Home Office
  • 20 November 2025

    UK: "earned settlement" proposal would double the ILR qualifying period to 10 years — NOT YET LAW

    The May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed doubling the standard settlement qualifying period from 5 to 10 years under an "earned" contribution model. This is a proposal that was consulted on — it is not law.

    UK Home Office
  • 22 July 2025In force 22 July 2025

    UK: Skilled Worker threshold to £41,700, skill level to RQF 6, overseas care-worker route closed

    The 22 July 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 997) raised the Skilled Worker bar materially and closed overseas care-worker recruitment.

    UK Home Office
  • 4 April 2024In force 4 April 2024

    UK raises Skilled Worker salary thresholds

    The Home Office raised the Skilled Worker general salary threshold from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700, with parallel increases to going rates and shortage-route adjustments.

    UK Home Office

Other United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland routes covered for Bangladeshi applicants

Not sure United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is right for you? Compare similar routes

Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Bangladeshi nationals also apply to. See how they compare.

Frequently asked questions

Are Bangladeshi citizens eligible for the Skilled Worker visa?+

Eligibility for the Skilled Worker visa is set by UK Home Office. Bangladeshi applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.

Where do Bangladeshi applicants typically file the Skilled Worker visa?+

a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by UK Home Office — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.

Do Bangladeshi applicants need a tourist visa for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well?+

Tourist-entry rules for Bangladeshi nationals change periodically and are separate from the Skilled Worker visa. Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost for a Bangladeshi applicant?+

The stored worked example (Single applicant, 3-year CoS, general rate, no priority) totals about £3,943.20. Each dependant pays the same application fee as the main applicant plus their own IHS at £1,035/year (or £776/year if under 18). It may combine government charges with other stated route costs. Source: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs, verified 10 September 2026. Treat it as indicative and confirm the current official schedule before budgeting.

What salary do Bangladeshi applicants need for the Skilled Worker visa?+

The Skilled Worker — general threshold floor is £41,700/yr, effective 22 July 2025 (GOV.UK — Appendix Skilled Worker). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.

How long does the Skilled Worker visa take to process from Bangladesh?+

GOV.UK publishes 3 weeks as the typical decision window for Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK. applying from outside the UK; switching or extending inside the UK usually takes up to 8 weeks Bangladeshi applicants usually file via a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times, verified 10 September 2026.

How long until permanent residence in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?+

Arrival → ILR (5 years) → citizenship (6 years). Faster on Global Talent / Innovator Founder (3 years to ILR). The route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), then British citizenship. See GOV.UK — Citizenship and living in the UK for the qualifying-residence rules.

Can a Skilled Worker visa lead to permanent settlement in the UK?+

Yes. Skilled Worker visa holders can typically apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous lawful residence, subject to meeting the salary, absence, and English and Life in the UK requirements in force at the time.

Can dependants join a Skilled Worker visa holder?+

Partners and children under 18 can usually apply as dependants on the same visa, although dependant rights have been narrowed for some care-sector routes. Each dependant pays their own application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

Does a Skilled Worker visa require a specific salary?+

Yes. Applicants must meet both a general salary threshold and the occupation-specific going rate. These thresholds change frequently — most recently in Spring 2024 and again in 2025 — so always verify the current figures on GOV.UK before applying.

What is the minimum salary for a UK Skilled Worker visa?+

You must meet whichever is higher: the general salary threshold (currently £41,700 for most applicants, raised on 22 July 2025) or the ‘going rate’ for your specific occupation code. Some shortage roles have a reduced going rate. New entrants and those switching from Student visas may qualify at a lower threshold. Always check GOV.UK for the exact current figures for your SOC code before relying on any number you find online.

Can I change employer on a UK Skilled Worker visa?+

Yes, but you need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from the new employer before switching, and in most cases you must apply for a new visa (or a change of conditions). You cannot start working for a new employer until the new permission is in place. The new employer must also be on the Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors.

What happens if my UK sponsor employer closes down or loses its sponsor licence?+

If your sponsor loses its licence or closes, your current visa permission is typically curtailed — you will receive a notice giving you 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor and apply to change status. Act immediately: do not wait for the full 60 days. The Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK is updated in real time and is the definitive check for whether a prospective employer can issue a CoS.

How do I find a UK employer who can sponsor a Skilled Worker visa?+

The Home Office publishes the Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK — a free, publicly searchable list of every employer authorised to issue Certificates of Sponsorship. Search it by company name before applying for any role. Major job boards including LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed allow you to filter for ‘visa sponsorship’ roles, but always cross-check the employer against the official register.

Can I do freelance work on a Skilled Worker visa?+

Generally, no. You are tied to the employer who sponsored you for the specific role described in your CoS. You may only take on additional work if it is in the same occupation code, at the same level, and does not exceed 20 hours per week, or if it is on the Immigration Salary List (subject to strict rules). You cannot freely freelance.

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: UK Home Office

Last checked: 8 July 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology