Master prompt
Skilled Worker visa extension — COS + salary threshold (UK)
Extension under Appendix Skilled Worker with same or new sponsor. Covers Certificate of Sponsorship, going rate, English requirement, and the ILR / settlement pathway after 5 years.
UKVisa extensionSkilled WorkerCOSAppendix Skilled WorkerILRSettlement
You are drafting a Skilled Worker extension for [CLIENT_NAME] under Appendix Skilled Worker. CURRENT POSTURE • Current visa expires: [CURRENT_VISA_EXPIRY] • Sponsor: [SPONSOR_NAME] (status: [SAME_OR_NEW_SPONSOR]) • Job: [JOB_TITLE_SOC] • Salary: GBP [SALARY_GBP] • COS: [COS_NUMBER] • ILR plan: Plan to apply for ILR after 5 years REGULATORY ANCHORS • Appendix Skilled Worker (replacing Tier 2 (General)) • SW 4.2 — Sponsor must hold Skilled Worker licence in correct category • SW 5.1 — Job must be at skill level RQF 3+ (per SOC 2020) and on Appendix Skilled Worker Eligible Occupations list • SW 11.1 — Salary requirement: higher of (a) £38,700 general threshold, (b) going rate for SOC code, (c) £15.88/hour effective hourly rate — 2024 reforms • Some exemptions for new entrants, Health & Care, education • Appendix English Language — B1 CEFR for first applications; not required if previously satisfied • IHS — full payment for visa duration §1 — PATH SELECTION PATH A — SAME EMPLOYER EXTENSION: • Existing sponsor renews COS for continued role • Same SOC + same role (or genuine internal progression) • Salary must meet CURRENT threshold (not the threshold at original visa grant — important after April 2024 reforms) • English language usually carried forward from prior grant PATH B — NEW EMPLOYER (CHANGE OF SPONSOR): • New sponsor must hold a current Skilled Worker licence • New COS issued by new sponsor • Within the SAME SOC: simple; new COS + new visa application • Different SOC: new visa application with all criteria fresh CRITICAL: cannot start new role until new visa granted (s.3C limits new-employer work to a small window in some scenarios — generally cannot work for new employer until new grant). §2 — SALARY THRESHOLD MAP (POST APRIL 2024 REFORMS) For visa applications on/after 4 April 2024, the minimum salary is the HIGHEST of: (a) General threshold: £38,700/year for most occupations (b) Going rate for SOC code: published by Home Office, updated annually (c) Effective hourly rate: £15.88/hour (£15.88 × 37.5 hours × 52 weeks if F/T) Exemptions / reductions: • Shortage Occupation List (replaced by Immigration Salary List in 2024): 20% discount on going rate (but general threshold £30,960 floor) • Health & Care Worker route: separate threshold £29,000 (verify) • New Entrants (under 26, or completed UK PhD/eligible study): £30,960 (verify) for max 4 years • PhD-relevant SOC: 10% going-rate discount • Education roles (national pay scales): on the relevant pay scale Compute for [CLIENT_NAME]: • Going rate for [JOB_TITLE_SOC]: look up in current Appendix Skilled Worker SOC table • Compare GBP [SALARY_GBP] against the higher of general threshold + going rate • State pass/fail If salary < threshold: APPLICATION WILL FAIL. Either negotiate salary increase OR pursue Immigration Salary List / New Entrant discount IF eligible. §3 — TRANSITIONAL PROTECTION (for pre-April 2024 visa holders) If [CLIENT_NAME] was on Skilled Worker visa BEFORE 4 April 2024 and is extending with SAME sponsor: • Transitional rules: salary threshold based on old £26,200 floor + old going rates • Applies for extensions, change of employment (post-2024 if continuous), settlement • Lost if visa lapses; lost on switching to a new visa category and back • Confirm in cover letter that transitional protection is being relied upon §4 — FORM PACK A. UKVI online application (Skilled Worker extension) B. COS [COS_NUMBER] from [SPONSOR_NAME]: • Defined COS for new role + duration • Assigned via Sponsor Management System • Cannot be older than 3 months at application C. Employment contract / offer letter D. Salary evidence: • Last 3 months pay slips • Bank statements showing salary deposits • Employer letter confirming current salary + role E. English language: certificate from previous grant OR new SELT (B1 CEFR or above) OR degree from majority English-speaking country F. Maintenance funds: £1,270 held for 28 days (waived if sponsor certifies on COS that they will maintain applicant) (SW 16.1) G. TB certificate (if first UK application from required country; rarely needed for in-country extension) H. Police certificate (for certain occupations — health/social care/teaching, etc.) I. Passport biographical + visa pages J. IHS payment: £1,035/year × visa duration (typically 5 years = £5,175) // 2026-05 — verify K. Application fee: £827 in-country // 2026-05 — verify L. UKVCAS biometrics appointment M. Sponsor's compliance evidence (HMRC PAYE history) — sponsor responsibility §5 — COVER LETTER (250-350 words) Open: "Application under Appendix Skilled Worker for further leave to remain as a Skilled Worker for [CLIENT_NAME], COS [COS_NUMBER] issued by [SPONSOR_NAME] for the role of [JOB_TITLE_SOC]." Structure: ¶1 — Identity + current visa + role ¶2 — Path: [SAME_OR_NEW_SPONSOR]; transitional protection (if applicable) ¶3 — Salary GBP [SALARY_GBP]; threshold compliance under SW 11.1 (state which threshold applies and how met) ¶4 — SOC + skill level: [JOB_TITLE_SOC] on current eligible occupations list at RQF 3+ ¶5 — English language: prior grant carries forward; OR new evidence enclosed ¶6 — Maintenance: sponsor certified OR £1,270 held 28 days ¶7 — Compliance: HMRC PAYE record current; no breaches of prior conditions ¶8 — ILR trajectory: Plan to apply for ILR after 5 years (signals continuity for caseworker) §6 — POST-DECISION + ILR PATHWAY If Plan to apply for ILR after 5 years indicates ILR: • 5 years continuous lawful residence as Skilled Worker → eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under Appendix Skilled Worker → Settlement Rules • Absences from UK: max 180 days in any 12-month rolling period during qualifying 5 years • English language B1 + Life in the UK test required at ILR stage • ILR fee: £2,885 // 2026-05 — verify • Apply within 28 days of becoming eligible (or earlier if visa expires) §7 — IMPLIED LEAVE (3C / 3D LEAVE) (a) Lodge in-time before [CURRENT_VISA_EXPIRY] → s.3C leave extends conditions during processing (b) Continue working for same sponsor under prior visa conditions during 3C (c) New sponsor before grant: cannot start new role; old role only on 3C (d) Travel during 3C: leaving UK ENDS 3C leave; cannot re-enter until new visa issued (e) Apply for Priority (£500) or Super Priority (£1,000) service if travel imminent §8 — RED FLAGS • Salary below current threshold (no transitional protection applicable): refusal • COS assigned > 3 months before application: invalid • SOC change requiring different skill level: new application route • Sponsor licence suspended / revoked: must find new sponsor within 60 days • HMRC PAYE gaps: explain • Cooling-off period (12 months after prior Skilled Worker visa ended) — applies only in specific scenarios; verify End with: "DRAFT Skilled Worker extension — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify current salary threshold (general + SOC going rate), transitional protection eligibility, sponsor's current licence status on Register of Licensed Sponsors, and current IHS rate before client submission. Cross-check [JOB_TITLE_SOC] is on current Appendix Skilled Worker Eligible Occupations table."
Unlock the vault to see the full prompt