Skilled Worker
SWDegree-level (RQF 6) job with a licensed sponsor.
£41,700 or the going rate£33,400 for new entrants and Graduate switchersEnglish B2Up to 5 yearsSettlement after 5 years (reforms pending)
Work abroad · United Kingdom
United Kingdom work permits for Indian applicants: routes, salary thresholds and eligible professions
- Permit routes
- 8
- Professions open
- 3
- Professions checked
- 7
- Figures verified
- Sept 2026
Other countries
Sponsor-based system. Since July 2025 most sponsored jobs must be degree level, so chefs, care workers and HGV drivers are no longer open to new overseas hires. Nurses, doctors, engineers and IT remain strong.
Work visas and permits
Health and Care Worker
H&CDoctors, nurses, allied health professionals with NHS or care sponsors.
From £25,000 or NHS pay scaleNo health surchargeDependants allowedCare workers closed to new overseas applicants since 22 Jul 2025Settlement after 5 years
Graduate visa
GRADAnyone finishing a UK degree.
2 years (3 for PhD)18 months for applications from 1 Jan 2027Any work, no sponsorSwitch to Skilled Worker; time does not count
Global Talent
GTEndorsed leaders in research, engineering, digital technology, arts.
No sponsor or salary barUp to 5 yearsSettlement in 3–5 years
High Potential Individual
HPIGraduates of top-ranked global universities within the last 5 years.
2 years (3 PhD)Capped at 8,000 a yearNo direct settlement
India Young Professionals Scheme
YPSIndian graduates aged 18–30, chosen by ballot.
3,000 places a year24 months, any work£2,530 savingsNo dependants or settlement
Temporary Shortage List
TSLSub-degree trades in shortage: electricians, plumbers, welders, bricklayers, engineering technicians.
£33,400 or going rateTime-limited to 31 Dec 2026, extension decision pendingNo dependantsLimited
Seasonal Worker
SWVHorticulture and poultry through licensed scheme operators.
Up to 6 months42,900 places in 2026None
Professions eligible for United Kingdom permits
- ✓Nurses, doctors, allied health · Health and Care Worker visa
- ✓Software, data, civil and mechanical engineers · Skilled Worker
- ✓Teachers, quantity surveyors, accountants · Skilled Worker
- ~Electricians, plumbers, welders, bricklayers · Temporary Shortage List until end 2026
- ✕Chefs and restaurant managers · closed to new overseas hires since Jul 2025
- ✕Care workers · closed to new overseas applicants since Jul 2025
- ✕HGV and bus drivers · below degree level; not sponsorable
Open nowConditions applyClosed
How Zolt Link helps with a United Kingdom work visaWith an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Ask about a work visa
Quick answers
- What is the United Kingdom Skilled Worker (SW) and who is it for?
- Degree-level (RQF 6) job with a licensed sponsor. Key conditions: £41,700 or the going rate; £33,400 for new entrants and Graduate switchers; English B2; Up to 5 years. Settlement: Settlement after 5 years (reforms pending).
- What is the United Kingdom Health and Care Worker (H&C) and who is it for?
- Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals with NHS or care sponsors. Key conditions: From £25,000 or NHS pay scale; No health surcharge; Dependants allowed; Care workers closed to new overseas applicants since 22 Jul 2025. Settlement: Settlement after 5 years.
- What is the United Kingdom Graduate visa (GRAD) and who is it for?
- Anyone finishing a UK degree. Key conditions: 2 years (3 for PhD); 18 months for applications from 1 Jan 2027; Any work, no sponsor. Settlement: Switch to Skilled Worker; time does not count.
- What is the United Kingdom Global Talent (GT) and who is it for?
- Endorsed leaders in research, engineering, digital technology, arts. Key conditions: No sponsor or salary bar; Up to 5 years. Settlement: Settlement in 3–5 years.
- What is the United Kingdom High Potential Individual (HPI) and who is it for?
- Graduates of top-ranked global universities within the last 5 years. Key conditions: 2 years (3 PhD); Capped at 8,000 a year. Settlement: No direct settlement.
- What is the United Kingdom India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) and who is it for?
- Indian graduates aged 18–30, chosen by ballot. Key conditions: 3,000 places a year; 24 months, any work; £2,530 savings. Settlement: No dependants or settlement.
- What is the United Kingdom Temporary Shortage List (TSL) and who is it for?
- Sub-degree trades in shortage: electricians, plumbers, welders, bricklayers, engineering technicians. Key conditions: £33,400 or going rate; Time-limited to 31 Dec 2026, extension decision pending; No dependants. Settlement: Limited.
- What is the United Kingdom Seasonal Worker (SWV) and who is it for?
- Horticulture and poultry through licensed scheme operators. Key conditions: Up to 6 months; 42,900 places in 2026. Settlement: None.
- Which professions can Indian applicants get a United Kingdom work permit for in 2026?
- Open now: Nurses, doctors, allied health (Health and Care Worker visa); Software, data, civil and mechanical engineers (Skilled Worker); Teachers, quantity surveyors, accountants (Skilled Worker). Conditions apply: Electricians, plumbers, welders, bricklayers (Temporary Shortage List until end 2026). Closed to new overseas hires: Chefs and restaurant managers (closed to new overseas hires since Jul 2025); Care workers (closed to new overseas applicants since Jul 2025); HGV and bus drivers (below degree level; not sponsorable).
- Can Zolt Link prepare the United Kingdom work permit and visa if I already have a job offer?
- Yes. With an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the United Kingdom permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Requirements, salary thresholds and government charges shown here are the headline rules as at and change often; every requirement is re-checked against the official source on the day a file is prepared. General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed .
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