A UK work visa for most South Africans means the Skilled Worker visa. You need a job with a Home Office approved UK employer, and the job must meet the salary rules. The Skilled Worker visa is the official starting point if you are looking for a work visa for the UK from South Africa.
This guide covers the main requirements and costs. Salary thresholds and fees change often, and some depend on the date your sponsor assigns your certificate of sponsorship, so check GOV.UK before you pay anything.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
- A job offer from an employer that the Home Office has approved to sponsor workers. There is no Skilled Worker route without a job offer.
- A salary that meets the minimum for the job. The standard rate is at least £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation if that is higher.
- Enough money to support yourself: at least £1,270 in your bank account.
- Permission lasts for up to 5 years before you need to extend.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
You apply online and need a valid passport or travel document to do so. Check the exact identity and travel document rules on the Skilled Worker visa page before you start.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
Your employer, as sponsor, gives you the sponsorship details you need for the application, and GOV.UK sets out the job and salary rules on its Your job page. The full list of documents you must provide is given during the online application, so rely on that list rather than on a third-party checklist.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
The work visa UK cost has three parts:
- Application fee from outside the UK: £819 for a stay of up to 3 years, or £1,618 for a stay of over 3 years.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £1,035 per year.
- Maintenance funds: at least £1,270 in your bank account.
The how much it costs page lists these figures. It does not give fees for the Health and Care Worker route, and this page cannot confirm whether the surcharge is waived for that route, so check the surcharge page if that applies to you.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Get a job offer from a Home Office approved employer.
- Check that the salary meets the standard rate or the going rate for the job (salary rules).
- Apply online through GOV.UK and pay the application fee and health surcharge.
- Wait for a decision. GOV.UK says to expect 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are inside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a UK work visa without a job offer?
Not on the Skilled Worker route. You must have a job with a Home Office approved UK employer. Other routes exist, so check the official visa list on GOV.UK.
How do I check an employer can sponsor me?
The employer must be approved by the Home Office. Ask the employer to confirm its sponsor status in writing before you accept the offer, and read the eligibility rules on the Skilled Worker page.
How much does a UK work visa cost?
From outside the UK the Skilled Worker application fee is £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for over 3 years, plus the health surcharge, usually £1,035 per year.
How long does a decision take?
GOV.UK gives 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK.
Confirm every requirement with the UK Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) on GOV.UK before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.