Skilled Worker visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian citizens with a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer and a certificate of sponsorship apply online on gov.uk for a Skilled Worker visa, prove their identity and provide documents, then usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Lets you come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved UK employer who has given you a certificate of sponsorship.
- Validity
- Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
- Entries
- You can travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
When to start
Start 21 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You must work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office and do a job on the list of eligible occupations, with a confirmed job offer before you apply.
Your employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship (an electronic record) with information about the role; you must apply within 3 months of getting it.
Complete the application on gov.uk. From outside the UK it costs £819 per person for up to 3 years, or £1,618 for more than 3 years, plus the healthcare surcharge.
As part of your application you'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents — using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
From outside the UK you'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number — Your certificate of sponsorship reference number — your employer will give you this. ✓ verified
- Proof of knowledge of English — Proof of your knowledge of English. ✓ verified
- Employer name and sponsor licence number — The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number — this will be on your certificate of sponsorship. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a UK visa application centre (VFS Global) in India.
Fees
| Skilled Worker visa (from outside the UK, up to 3 years) | GBP 819 |
Gotchas to watch
- You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
- You'll usually need to have at least £1,270 available to support yourself when you arrive in the UK.