Bangladesh → United Kingdom: the Skilled Worker visa roadmap
The UK Skilled Worker visa is the main employer-sponsored route for the work and career goal, requiring a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor in an eligible occupation skilled to at least graduate level (RQF Level 6 since 22 July 2025), meeting a general salary threshold of GBP 41,700 per year or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher. Applicants score 70 points (50 mandatory plus 20 tradeable) and the route leads to settlement (ILR) after 5 years and citizenship roughly 1 year later. Note: a government earned-settlement proposal could extend the qualifying period to 10 years for many routes, but as of mid-2026 it is not yet law, so the 5-year route remains in force; figures here are current but settlement timelines carry policy uncertainty.</summary> </invoke>
Moving from Bangladesh
- You apply for the Skilled Worker visa at the United Kingdom consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Bangladesh, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Bangladesh usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward United Kingdom's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Bangladesh documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Bangladesh passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Bangladesh to United Kingdom applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by United Kingdom.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid Home Office sponsor licence, with a Certificate of Sponsorship
- Work in an eligible occupation skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate or bachelor degree level), per rules in force since 22 July 2025
- Be paid at least GBP 41,700 per year or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher (reduced thresholds apply for new entrants, relevant PhDs, Immigration Salary List, and health and care roles)
- Prove English at CEFR Level B2 across reading, writing, speaking and listening (new entry applicants from 8 January 2026)
- Have at least GBP 1,270 in personal savings held for 28 days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship
- Score 70 points total: 50 mandatory (sponsorship, skill level, English) plus 20 tradeable (salary, relevant PhD, or shortage role)
Your step-by-step roadmap
Secure sponsorship
- Find and accept a job offer with a UK employer that holds a valid Home Office sponsor licence
- Confirm the role is on the eligible occupations list at RQF Level 6 and meets the salary threshold
- Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from the employer
Apply for the visa
- Complete the online application, prove identity (biometrics or ID check app), and prove English at B2
- Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (GBP 1,035 per year)
- Submit supporting documents (CoS, passport, proof of funds if not sponsor-certified)
Receive decision and enter
- Wait about 3 weeks (outside UK) or about 8 weeks (inside UK) for a decision
- Travel to the UK and begin work for the sponsoring employer; visa granted for up to 5 years
Extend or switch
- Extend the visa before it expires if still employed by a licensed sponsor in an eligible role
- Update the visa if changing jobs, sponsor, or occupation code
Settle and naturalise
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years continuous residence (max 180 days per year absence), meeting B1 English and the Life in the UK test
- Apply for British citizenship by naturalisation about 12 months after ILR
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: From accepting a sponsored job offer to landing in the UK typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months (application plus about 3 weeks processing from outside the UK), with the visa granted for up to 5 years.
Citizenship: Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is available after 5 years of continuous residence, and British citizenship by naturalisation about 12 months later, giving roughly 6 years total from first arrival to a passport, though a proposed earned-settlement reform could extend the qualifying period if it becomes law.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.