Skilled Worker visa documents: the complete evidence guide for 2026

The Skilled Worker visa: what documents does UKVI actually want?

The Skilled Worker visa replaced the Tier 2 (General) route in December 2020. It allows employers who hold a sponsor licence to bring workers to the UK in eligible occupations. Despite being the most-used work visa route, Skilled Worker applications are frequently refused for document reasons — particularly around salary evidence, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and maintenance funds.

This guide sets out every document required, what UKVI expects from each, and where applications most commonly fall short.

Mandatory documents for every Skilled Worker application

1. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number

The CoS reference number is the foundation of every Skilled Worker application. Without a valid, assigned CoS, the application cannot proceed.

What to verify before submitting:

• The CoS has been assigned to the applicant (not just created)
• The CoS is within its 3-month validity period from assignment
• The job title and SOC code on the CoS match the evidence being submitted
• The salary on the CoS meets the going rate for the occupation code and the general threshold (£38,700 as of April 2024; verify current threshold at time of application)
• The sponsor licence is active and has not been suspended or revoked

2. Valid passport and travel documents

• Current valid passport
• Previous passports if there is relevant UK immigration history
• Existing BRP if the applicant has previously been in the UK on a visa

3. Evidence of English language ability

One of the following:

• A SELT (Secure English Language Test) at B1 level or above from an approved provider
• A UK degree at bachelor's level or above
• A degree taught in English from a majority English-speaking country on the Home Office list
• Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are exempt (check the current list)

Financial maintenance evidence

Applicants must show they can maintain themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds, unless the Certificate of Sponsorship confirms the sponsor certifies maintenance.

If maintenance needs to be evidenced:

• Personal bank statements for the 28 days prior to the date of application
• Must show a minimum of £1,270 held continuously for the full 28-day period
• The balance must not drop below £1,270 on any single day during the period

Common errors:

• Statements that cover fewer than 28 days
• A balance that dips below the threshold on even one day
• Statements from savings accounts that do not show the balance daily
• Using a joint account where the applicant's access is not clear

Salary evidence (for extensions and ILR — not initial entry)

For extension and ILR applications (not initial entry clearance from abroad), salary evidence is required:

• 6 months of payslips covering the qualifying period
• P60 for the most recent complete tax year
• Bank statements showing salary credited — must match payslip amounts
• Letter from employer confirming: job title, start date, salary, and that employment is ongoing

The salary must meet both:

1. The general salary threshold for the route
2. The going rate for the specific SOC code

If there has been a salary increase or job change within the sponsorship, the CoS must reflect this and additional documentation may be required.

What happens if the salary is below the threshold?

There are tradeable points that can bring an application below the standard salary threshold:

• New entrant rate: Available if the applicant is under 26, a recent graduate, or in their first year of a postdoctoral position. Allows a 20% reduction on the going rate.
• Shortage occupation: If the occupation is on the Immigration Salary List (formerly the Shortage Occupation List), a 20% reduction may apply.
• PhD relevant to the role: Allows a £5,000 reduction on the threshold.

Where tradeable points are used, the evidence must clearly show eligibility for the relevant reduction.

Additional documents for specific situations

Applicants with dependants

• Dependant partner: marriage/civil partnership certificate or evidence of 2 years cohabitation
• Dependent children: birth certificates, travel documents
• Financial evidence showing the applicant can support dependants

Applicants switching from another visa category

• Evidence of current immigration status
• Evidence of compliance with conditions of current leave

Applicants who have changed employer mid-way

• Confirmation from current sponsor that the CoS relates to current employment
• Evidence of continuous lawful leave during any gap between employers

The most common Skilled Worker refusal reasons

1. CoS salary below the going rate — this cannot be corrected after submission
2. Maintenance funds dipping below £1,270 — even one day below causes problems
3. English language evidence not meeting the B1 level — certificates must be from UKVI-approved providers
4. Payslips not matching the salary on the CoS — any discrepancy will be scrutinised
5. Employer letter that does not confirm the SOC code or going rate — generic letters are frequently insufficient
6. CoS expired before the application was submitted — applications submitted after the 3-month validity window are invalid

How DocsCheck helps Skilled Worker applications

DocsCheck includes a Skilled Worker visa route with:

• Pre-built document checklist aligned to current UKVI expectations
• AI quality scoring for every uploaded document
• Automatic detection of document type mismatches (e.g. a P45 uploaded where a P60 is required)
• AI representation letter generation pre-filled with case evidence

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