Bangladeshi applicants · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Skilled Worker visa for Bangladeshi citizens
Work visa for non-UK workers with a job offer from a Home Office–licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation.
This page covers the Skilled Worker visa specifically for Bangladeshi applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Bangladesh. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2 weeks – 3 weeks
- Government fees
- £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
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 are set by UK Home Office and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Skilled Worker visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
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 →
Government 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 1 June 2026 · GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs →
How long it takes
2 weeks – 3 weeks
GOV.UK publishes 3 weeks as the typical decision window for Skilled Worker visa applications made outside the UK.
Verified 1 June 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.
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.
- ✓A Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the sponsor.
- ✓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.
- €Salary at or above both the general threshold and the occupation-specific "going rate". Thresholds change regularly — confirm on GOV.UK.
- ✓English language at CEFR Level B1 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Common blockers
- !Employer does not hold a sponsor licence, or its licence does not cover the occupation.
- !Salary below both the general threshold and the going rate for the SOC code.
- !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).
- !Adverse immigration history or unspent criminal convictions within the rules' exclusion categories.
Typical evidence
- ·Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from a licensed sponsor.
- ·Proof of English-language ability (approved SELT, UK degree, or recognised nationality exemption).
- ·Passport or equivalent travel document.
- ·TB test certificate (applicants from specified countries).
- ·Criminal record certificate for certain occupations (e.g. roles with children).
Application pathway
Find a licensed sponsor
Apply for roles at UK employers on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. Your offer must meet skill and salary thresholds.
Receive Certificate of Sponsorship
The sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) quoting the role, salary, and occupation code.
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.
Submit online application and pay fees
Complete the online application within 3 months of CoS assignment. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Biometrics and decision
Book a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre abroad or use the UK Immigration ID Check app where eligible. Standard decisions typically arrive in 3–8 weeks.
Enter the UK and begin work
After approval, enter the UK within the vignette validity window. Your biometric residence permit (or eVisa) will cover the rest of your permission.
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 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 and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Bangladeshi applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Commonwealth. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
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 are set by UK Home Office and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Skilled Worker visa is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost for a Bangladeshi applicant?+
Government fees for the worked example (Single applicant, 3-year CoS, general rate, no priority) total 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). Figures from GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs, verified 1 June 2026. Treat these as indicative — confirm the current schedule on the official source 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?+
The typical published decision window is 2 weeks – 3 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 consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: GOV.UK — Visa decision waiting times, verified 1 June 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.