Skilled Worker visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Skilled Worker visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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 United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
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.