United Kingdom · work · guide
UK Skilled Worker visa: documents you need
This guide lists the documents you must provide when you apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 15 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-02. Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/documents-you-must-provide
Personal documents
You must provide a valid passport or another document that proves your identity and nationality.[1]
You must show proof of your knowledge of English when you apply.[2]
If you are from a listed country, you must provide your tuberculosis test results.[3]
Job and sponsorship details
You must provide your certificate of sponsorship reference number. You also need to provide your employer's name and their sponsor licence number.[4][5]
You must provide your job title, your annual salary, and your job's occupation code.[6][7]
Proof of savings
You must show evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK. You do not need to show this if your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.[8]
Additional documents for certain applicants
You must provide a criminal record certificate if you work in certain jobs. If you are under 28, you must provide a certificate from any country you stayed in for 12 months or more since turning 18. If you are 28 or over, you must provide a certificate from any country you stayed in over the last 10 years.[9][10][11]
You must provide your UK PhD certificate if you have one. If your qualification is from outside the UK, you must provide your unique Ecctis reference number instead.[12]
You must provide a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one. This is required if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.[13]
If your partner or children are applying with you, you must provide proof of your relationship with them.[14]
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.[15]
Checklist
- Valid passport or identity document[1]
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number[4]
- Employer name and sponsor licence number[5]
- Job title, annual salary, and occupation code[6][7]
- Proof of English knowledge[2]
- Certified translations for any documents not in English or Welsh[15]
Questions people ask
Do I need to prove my English level?
Yes, you must provide proof of your knowledge of English when you apply.[2]
What if my documents are not in English?
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.[15]
Do I need to show I have savings?
You must provide evidence of enough personal savings to support yourself. You do not need this if your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.[8]
Do I need a criminal record certificate?
You must provide a criminal record certificate if you work in certain jobs. If you are under 28, you need one from any country you stayed in for 12 months or more since turning 18. If you are 28 or over, you need one from any country you stayed in over the last 10 years.[9][10][11]
What documents do I need for my PhD qualification?
You must provide your UK PhD certificate. If your qualification is from outside the UK, you must provide your unique Ecctis reference number.[12]
Do I need a tuberculosis test?
You must provide your tuberculosis test results if you are from a listed country.[3]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.