A UK Skilled Worker Visa lets a Canadian work in the UK in an eligible job for a UK employer approved by the Home Office. The Home Office is the UK government’s lead department for immigration, border security, policing, and counter-terrorism.

Key requirements include:

• A job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence.
• A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned by the employer.
• A job on the Home Office’s eligible occupation list.
• Meeting the minimum salary requirement — generally £41,700 per year, OR the going rate specified for the occupation code, whichever is higher.
• Meeting the English language requirement.

The sponsor must hold a licence and assign a Defined CoS for applicants applying from outside the UK. Defined CoS requests are often decided in 3–5 business days, though volumes can affect processing times.

Once the CoS is issued, the Canadian applicant can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa from Canada. The standard processing time for overseas applications is approximately three weeks, though local appointment, application volume and biometrics slots can influence timing.

Please note that salary thresholds are occupation-specific and subject to periodic revision.

*All GBP (Great British Pound) amounts can be converted to Canadian dollars using the official OANDA exchange rates.

Skilled Worker Visa duration

Skilled Worker isas can be granted for up to five years and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence, subject to fulfilling ongoing requirements.

Get more information and legal help

Sterling Immigration can ensure that you and your employer meet the requirements of the UK immigration rules before applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa. For further information, please contact Sterling Immigration Ltd.

								
You now have 3 options:
								

									
More answers about UK & Europe Travel and Immigration
									
Master List: 2,500 Legal Answers
																													
																		
Government Links