Skilled Worker visa: Chinese citizen → United Kingdom
You need a Skilled Worker visa
The main sponsored work route — a job offer at the required skill and salary level from a Home Office-licensed employer.
The bottom line
- This visa is required from every nationality — it's about why you're coming, not which passport you hold. Only British and Irish citizens are exempt.
- First step: a licensed sponsor (your UK employer or school) — you can't apply without one.
- How long you can stay: Up to 5 years, extendable; can lead to settlement.
⚠️ Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passport holders are not visa nationals — select Hong Kong or Macao instead.
When to start
Start 35 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in China
- 18 centre locations across China (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11): Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Xi'an, plus part-time Bank of China counters in Chongqing, Nanjing and Shanghai.
- Most run Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00 — with this many cities, a neighbouring centre often has earlier slots.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for China — the band below is general guidance, not China-specific data.
Your UK sponsor assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — you can't apply without its reference number. The CoS is usually valid for 3 months.
Passport, financial evidence, English language evidence where required, plus the route-specific items (CoS reference, endorsement letter, qualifications).
Complete the application on gov.uk and pay the fee and the immigration health surcharge if it applies. Your appointment booking happens as part of this application.
Book a visa application centre appointment in China and attend with your documents to give fingerprints and a photo. You can choose ANY centre in the country — pick whichever city is convenient. Find your nearest on the official centre finder.
Standard processing is around 3 weeks after your appointment. Priority services are often available at extra cost if you're short on time. Don't book non-refundable travel until you have the decision.
When granted, check every detail (dates, conditions, spelling) immediately and report errors before travelling.
What you'll need
- Passport — Valid, with a blank page for the vignette; previous passports help show travel history.
- Financial evidence — Bank statements or payslips showing you can support yourself (and pay for the trip or course).
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference — Assigned by your licensed UK sponsor.
- English language evidence — Approved test, degree taught in English, or exempt nationality. · Most work routes
- TB test certificate — From an approved clinic. · If staying over 6 months and applying from a listed country
Good to know
- Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passport holders are not visa nationals — select Hong Kong or Macao instead.
- UK visas are now digital (eVisa) — apply and upload online, give biometrics at a centre, and your status is an online record, not a sticker or card.
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — usually biometrics at a visa application centre (VFS Global or TLScontact) in China.
You can book any centre in China — we don't assume which city you live in. Find your nearest visa application centre on the official list →
Continue on the official site →