Master prompt
Skilled Worker cover letter (UK - Appendix Skilled Worker)
Cover letter for Skilled Worker application - CoS reference, salary threshold (GBP 38,700 from Apr-2024), RQF Level 3 + role match; third-person formal tone.
UKSkilled WorkerCover letterAppendix Skilled WorkerCoSGBP 38,700RQF
Draft a formal cover letter to accompany [CLIENT_NAME]'s Skilled Worker entry-clearance application under Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules. The letter goes to UKVI Decision-Making Centre alongside the online application and supporting bundle.
APPLICATION SUMMARY
- Applicant: [CLIENT_NAME] (DOB [CLIENT_DOB], Indian passport [PASSPORT_NUMBER])
- GWF / application reference: [GWF_REFERENCE]
- UK sponsor: [SPONSOR_NAME] (sponsor licence [SPONSOR_LICENCE_NUMBER])
- Role: [JOB_TITLE] (SOC 2020 code [SOC_CODE])
- Salary: GBP [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] per annum gross
- CoS: [COS_NUMBER], assigned [COS_ASSIGNED_DATE]
- Intended arrival: [INTENDED_ARRIVAL]
- Representative: [REPRESENTATIVE_NAME]
§1 - DECISION-MAKER CONCERNS
The caseworker applies Appendix Skilled Worker:
- SW 4.1 - Valid CoS from an A-rated licensed sponsor, role on eligible occupation list
- SW 12.1 - Skill level: RQF Level 3 (A-level) or above per SOC 2020 occupation
- SW 14.1 - Salary threshold:
- General: GBP 38,700 from 04-Apr-2024 (VERIFY - rises annually in April)
- New entrant (under 26, recent graduate, switching from Student): GBP 30,960
- Immigration Salary List (ISL) reduced rates apply to specific shortage roles
- PhD STEM: 20% reduction on going rate
- Going rate per SOC code - the salary must ALSO meet the SOC-specific going rate, whichever is HIGHER
- SW 16.1 - English language: B1 CEFR (lower than Student visa B2)
- SW 5.1 - Genuine vacancy (sponsor compliance; caseworker may refuse if role appears artificial)
- Maintenance: GBP 1,270 in applicant's account for 28 days OR sponsor-certified maintenance on CoS (most sponsors certify - confirm)
§2 - LETTER STRUCTURE (450-600 words)
HEADER:
- [CLIENT_NAME]
- DOB: [CLIENT_DOB] | Passport: [PASSPORT_NUMBER]
- GWF: [GWF_REFERENCE]
- Date: [today]
- Addressed to: "UKVI Decision-Making Centre"
OPENING (60-80 words)
"I act for [CLIENT_NAME] under instruction in this application for entry clearance as a Skilled Worker under Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules. [CLIENT_NAME] holds a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (reference [COS_NUMBER], assigned [COS_ASSIGNED_DATE]) from [SPONSOR_NAME] (sponsor licence [SPONSOR_LICENCE_NUMBER], A-rated) to take up the role of [JOB_TITLE] (SOC 2020 code [SOC_CODE]). The application meets every limb of Appendix Skilled Worker as set out below."
SUMMARY OF MEETS-CRITERIA (80-100 words)
Brief one-paragraph statement that the application meets each of:
(i) SW 4.1 valid CoS, A-rated sponsor
(ii) SW 12.1 RQF Level 3+ skill match
(iii) SW 14.1 salary GBP [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] - exceeds the GBP 38,700 threshold AND the SOC going rate
(iv) SW 16.1 English at B1+ via [ENGLISH_PROOF]
(v) Maintenance certified by sponsor on CoS / personal funds held
ROLE AND SKILL LEVEL (80-100 words)
- State [JOB_TITLE] and SOC [SOC_CODE]
- Confirm SOC code is on the eligible occupation list (cross-ref to Appendix Skilled Worker Table 1)
- Confirm RQF Level 3+ skill match - SOC 2136 is RQF 6 (degree level); SOC 3xxx are RQF 3-5
- Cross-reference job description in CoS (Tab A) and sponsor's job advertisement / role-specification (Tab B)
SALARY ANALYSIS (100-130 words)
- State gross annual salary: GBP [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP]
- Compare to general threshold GBP 38,700 - state margin: GBP ([ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] - 38,700)
- Compare to SOC [SOC_CODE] going rate (look up current rate or instruct caseworker to verify - typical IT roles GBP 35,000-65,000 going rate)
- State whichever threshold is HIGHER and confirm [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] meets it
- If using new-entrant rate, state eligibility (under 26 / recent graduate / switching from Student) and the lower threshold GBP 30,960
- If using Immigration Salary List, state SOC is on ISL and the reduced rate
- Cross-reference CoS salary entry (Tab A) and offer letter / employment contract (Tab C)
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE (80-100 words)
- [EDUCATION] - confirm degree-level qualification with UK ENIC equivalency for foreign degrees
- [PRIOR_EXPERIENCE] - state total years of relevant experience
- Confirm experience demonstrates the skill level required for SOC [SOC_CODE]
- Cross-reference degree certificate (Tab D), UK ENIC letter (Tab E), employer reference letters (Tab F)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE (40-60 words)
- [ENGLISH_PROOF]
- Confirm meets SW 16.1 (B1 CEFR or above)
- Cross-reference TRF / medium-of-instruction letter / nationality-exemption (Tab G)
MAINTENANCE (40-60 words)
- Either: "Sponsor [SPONSOR_NAME] has certified maintenance on the CoS pursuant to Appendix Finance paragraph FIN 2.1; no personal maintenance evidence required" (most A-rated sponsors)
- Or: "Personal maintenance: GBP 1,270 held in HDFC Bank account [last 4 digits] for 28 days continuous to [date] - see Tab H"
GENUINE VACANCY (40-60 words)
- Confirm role is genuine and meets the requirements of SW 5.1
- Cross-reference sponsor's organisation chart and team structure (Tab I)
- State that the sponsor has met its own compliance duties under the sponsor guidance
ADDITIONAL MATTERS (30-50 words, if applicable)
- Dependents on the same application (spouse + children under 18 - separate forms)
- Prior UK immigration history if any
- Tuberculosis test certificate (Indian applicants applying for 6+ months - mandatory) - cross-ref Tab J
CLOSING (40-60 words)
"I respectfully submit that the application meets every requirement of Appendix Skilled Worker and request entry clearance be granted to enable [CLIENT_NAME] to take up employment with [SPONSOR_NAME] from [INTENDED_ARRIVAL]."
SIGN-OFF:
Yours faithfully,
[REPRESENTATIVE_NAME]
Authorised representative for [CLIENT_NAME]
OISC / SRA reference: [from REPRESENTATIVE_NAME]
Date: [today]
§3 - WHAT NEVER TO WRITE
- "The applicant is a hard worker" - puffery
- "The applicant will contribute to the UK economy" - irrelevant to the Rules test
- "Please consider this application favourably" - irrelevant; the test is whether the Rules are met
- "The applicant has always wanted to work in the UK" - irrelevant
- "The salary of GBP [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] is sufficient" - bare assertion; show the threshold comparison
- "RQF Level 3 is met" - bare assertion; reference the SOC code's RQF level
§4 - WHAT TO ALWAYS INCLUDE
- SOC 2020 code with name [SOC_CODE]
- Salary threshold comparison with explicit GBP 38,700 reference (or applicable reduced rate)
- CoS reference [COS_NUMBER] verbatim
- At least four cross-references to document tabs
- Sponsor licence number [SPONSOR_LICENCE_NUMBER]
- The phrase "Appendix Skilled Worker paragraph SW [number]" at least three times
§5 - INDIAN-CONTEXT NUANCES
- INR-GBP conversion: if prior salary in INR, state INR amount + GBP equivalent at the date of CoS assignment using Bank of England reference rate; this demonstrates the [ANNUAL_SALARY_GBP] is a genuine market step-up (not artificially inflated)
- Indian education: always include UK ENIC equivalency letter for foreign degrees
- TB test: mandatory for Indian applicants applying for 6+ months under TB test rules; cross-reference IOM-panel-clinic certificate
- Prior intra-corporate transfers (ICT Tier 2 - now closed) or Tier 2 General: disclose and state how skills are continuous with new role
- Dependent family: spouse on Skilled Worker dependent route; children must be born to / adopted by applicant or sponsoring partner and under 18
§6 - OUTPUT
Generate the full cover letter to 450-600 words in third-person professional formal tone. Use a header block, body paragraphs (no bullet points in body text), and sign-off block. Cross-reference document tabs throughout.
End with: "DRAFT - for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify against current UKVI guidance before submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt