Article Overview
Once a UK employer has offered you a job and agreed to sponsor you, the visa application itself follows a clear sequence. Doing the steps in the right order saves time and avoids common mistakes. This guide walks through the process for applicants in Pakistan. For the eligibility rules themselves, see our guide to UK Skilled Worker visa requirements.
Step 1: Confirm the job offer and the employer's licence
Check that your employer appears on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors and that the role is eligible. Most new roles must be at RQF level 6 (degree level) and pay at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Make sure your contract shows the job title, salary, hours and start date.
Step 2: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
Your employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), an electronic record with a reference number. Check the details carefully: your name as in your passport, job title, occupation code, salary and start date. A CoS is valid for three months from the date it is assigned, so plan the rest of the steps within that window.
Step 3: Prove your English
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants must show English at level B2. Most applicants from Pakistan take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at a Home Office approved test centre. A degree taught in English can also count if it is confirmed as equivalent. Book the test early, because results and test dates can affect your timeline.
Step 4: Get a tuberculosis test certificate
Applicants from Pakistan who are coming to the UK for more than six months need a TB test certificate from a clinic approved by the Home Office. The certificate is usually valid for six months, so time it to cover your application date.
Step 5: Prepare your documents
- Valid passport and any previous passports.
- CoS reference number.
- English language evidence.
- TB test certificate.
- Bank statements showing maintenance funds for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
- Criminal record certificate if your role requires it, for example in health, education or social care.
- Marriage and birth certificates if your partner or children are applying with you.
- Certified English translations of any documents not in English.
Step 6: Complete the online application
Apply on GOV.UK. You will enter your personal details, CoS number and travel history, and pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is currently £1,035 per year for each adult. Check the current fee table before paying, as fees usually change each April.
Step 7: Attend your biometrics appointment
Book an appointment at a VFS Global visa application centre in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi or Mirpur. You will give your fingerprints and photo and submit or upload your documents as instructed.
Step 8: Wait for the decision
Standard decisions for applications from outside the UK usually take about three weeks after your appointment. Priority and super priority services may be available for an extra fee. You will be notified by email and your passport will receive a vignette valid for travel, and your immigration status is held as an eVisa.
Step 9: Travel and start work
Travel within the validity of your entry vignette and start work on the date agreed with your sponsor. Keep copies of your documents, as your employer must carry out right-to-work checks.
Applying with family
Your partner and children under 18 can usually apply as dependants at the same time or later. Each dependant pays their own visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, and must show maintenance funds unless your sponsor covers them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Letting the CoS expire before you apply.
- Taking an English test that is not on the approved SELT list.
- Bank statements that do not cover the full 28-day period.
- Names spelt differently across passport, CoS and certificates.
How ZANS Consultants can help
We check your CoS, documents and timeline before you apply, so the application goes in complete. Learn more about our UK Skilled Worker visa service, or book a consultation with our Karachi team.
General information only: immigration rules, thresholds and fees change. Check the current GOV.UK guidance before you apply. The Home Office makes the final decision on every application.
