Practical guides on the UK Skilled Worker visa, the sponsor register, and the job-search workflow for visa-dependent applicants. Written by the team behind Lumina.
Around 10-15% of sponsor licence applications are refused, and the practical rate including withdrawn applications is higher. Most refusals are avoidable. The ten patterns that recur, with checks you can run against each before you submit.
Read more →"Do you sponsor visas?" is the wrong question. Three better ones, the exact wording that gets clear answers, and the response patterns that mean the role is not worth your pipeline slot.
Read more →Both are technically Skilled Worker visas, but the Health and Care Worker sub-route has lower salary thresholds, lower fees, and a full Immigration Health Surcharge waiver. For a family of four on a 5-year visa that saves around £27,000. Here is when each route applies.
Read more →After the December 2025 ISC rise and the April 2026 visa fee rise, a 3-year Skilled Worker visa now costs roughly £8,800 combined across employer and applicant. The Health and Care Worker route saves over £5,000 in IHS alone. Full breakdown.
Read more →A curated list of 50 UK tech employers across nine sectors that are commonly understood to hold Skilled Worker sponsor licences. Starting point for outreach, not a guarantee. Always verify on gov.uk before applying.
Read more →The general minimum is £41,700 (up from £38,700 in July 2025), but most applicants need a higher figure tied to their occupation. Full breakdown plus the four exceptions that materially lower the bar.
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