United KingdomSkilled Worker
Skilled Worker English requirement raised to B2
New Skilled Worker applicants, and people switching from another visa, must prove English at level B2. People who had this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it need level B1.
Who it affects
New Skilled Worker visa applicants
What the official source says
“You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2”
“If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.”
“If you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and you’re applying to extend or update it, you need level B1 English.”
Quotes are copied from the official pages on the dates shown. This page is a summary, not legal advice: rules can change, so check the source before you act.
More visa changes in the UK
All of Visa WatchGraduate
UK Graduate visa cut to 18 months from 2027
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Settlement (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up)
B2 English required for UK settlement from 26 March 2027
Settlement applications on routes including Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale-up will need English at B2 instead of B1 from 26 March 2027. The change also applies to people already on a pathway to settlement.
Skilled Worker, Graduate, ILR (fees)
UK visa fees rose on 8 April 2026
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Skilled Worker (sponsor costs)
Immigration Skills Charge rose 32% for UK sponsors
The charge sponsors pay when assigning a Skilled Worker certificate of sponsorship rose by 32% from 16 December 2025. For the first 12 months it is now £1,320 for medium or large sponsors and £480 for small or charitable sponsors.