Updated 8 November 2026
The UK Skilled Worker visa from Kenya is the main route for Kenyans who have a job offer from a UK employer. It is not a jobseeker’s visa. You need a sponsoring employer, an eligible job and a salary that meets UK thresholds before you can apply. This guide sets out the current rules and costs from GOV.UK and what they mean for applicants in Kenya.
Source: GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa guidance (last updated 14 September 2026) and its TB test list (updated 27 October 2026), read on 7 November 2026. UK immigration rules change often, so check GOV.UK before you pay anything.
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In this guide
UK Skilled Worker visa from Kenya: key facts
| Item | GOV.UK rule |
|---|---|
| Job offer | Required, from a Home Office-approved sponsor, with a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) |
| Standard minimum salary | £41,700 a year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher |
| English | Level B2 (CEFR) for new applicants |
| Application fee (outside UK) | £819 up to 3 years; £1,618 over 3 years |
| Health surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Savings | £1,270, held for 28 days, unless your employer certifies maintenance |
| Decision time | Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK |
| Length | Up to 5 years, then extend; possible settlement after 5 years |
The job and the sponsor
You must work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office, hold a certificate of sponsorship with details of the role, and do a job on the list of eligible occupations. You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply.
Each job has a 4-digit occupation code. Ask your employer for it, or search GOV.UK’s CASCOT coding tool, then check the table of eligible jobs. Jobs listed as “higher skilled” qualify. “Medium skilled” jobs qualify only if they are on the immigration salary list or the temporary shortage list, or in a few transitional cases. GOV.UK gives the example that bricklayers, roofers and carpenters are eligible, but construction labourers are not.
GOV.UK publishes a list of approved sponsors. The CoS is an electronic record with a reference number, not a paper document, and you must apply within 3 months of receiving it. For care roles in England, the employer must also be registered with the Care Quality Commission. See our separate UK care worker visa guide.
Salary rules
The usual threshold is the higher of £41,700 a year and the “going rate” for your occupation code. In GOV.UK’s example, a salary of £42,000 for a job whose going rate is £45,000 does not qualify.
- Lower salary: if you do not work in healthcare or education, you may still qualify at £33,400 a year or more in certain cases, such as jobs on the immigration salary list.
- Healthcare and education: some jobs follow national pay scales, with a minimum of £25,000 or the going rate if higher.
- Health and Care Worker visa: doctors, nurses and health or adult social care workers should check this route first. GOV.UK says it is cheaper and exempt from the annual health surcharge.
UK Skilled Worker visa English requirement
New applicants must prove English at level B2. You can do this with a degree taught in English, assessed by Ecctis if it was not awarded by a UK institution, or by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with an approved provider. Kenya is not on GOV.UK’s list of exempt countries, so most Kenyan applicants will need a degree assessment or a test. Doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and vets may rely on an English assessment accepted by their UK professional body.
How much the UK Skilled Worker visa from Kenya costs
- Application fee from outside the UK: £819 per person for up to 3 years, or £1,618 for more than 3 years.
- Immigration salary list jobs: £628 (up to 3 years) or £1,235 (over 3 years).
- Health surcharge: usually £1,035 for each year of the visa.
- Savings: £1,270 held for 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying, unless your CoS confirms the employer will cover your first month.
GOV.UK’s own example of a 2-year visa costs £819 plus 2 × £1,035, which is £2,889 at application. Dependants pay their own fees and surcharge. Convert at your bank’s rate on the day; we do not quote a shilling figure because exchange rates move.
UK Skilled Worker visa documents
- your CoS reference number;
- proof of English;
- a valid passport;
- your job title, annual salary and occupation code;
- the employer’s name and sponsor licence number;
- bank statements if you must show savings;
- TB test results: Kenya is on GOV.UK’s list of countries whose residents need a tuberculosis test from an approved clinic;
- a criminal record certificate if you will work in education, healthcare, therapy or social services;
- certified translations of any documents not in English or Welsh.
7 steps to apply from Kenya
- Get a job offer from a sponsor on GOV.UK’s approved list.
- Confirm your occupation code, eligibility and salary against the going rates table.
- Arrange your English evidence (Ecctis or SELT).
- Take the TB test at an approved clinic, and get a police certificate if your job needs one.
- Receive your CoS and apply online within 3 months of getting it, and no more than 3 months before your start date.
- Pay the fee and health surcharge, then prove your identity, either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait for the decision, usually within 3 weeks, and follow the instructions in the decision email.
Avoid recruitment scams
A genuine sponsor issues the CoS through the Home Office system. The visa fee and surcharge are paid to the UK government when you apply, not to an agent. Check the employer against GOV.UK’s sponsor list, and be wary of anyone selling a “visa slot” or asking for payment for a certificate of sponsorship.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa from Kenya without a job offer?
No. GOV.UK says you must have a confirmed job offer and a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer.
What is the minimum salary?
Usually £41,700 a year or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher. Lower thresholds apply in some cases.
Can my family come with me?
Your partner and children may apply as dependants if they meet the requirements. Each pays fees and the surcharge and must show their own funds.
How long does a decision take?
Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK, after you have proved your identity and provided your documents.
Related guide: UK Spouse Visa from Kenya: Essential 2026 Fees, £29,000 Income Rule and Proven Evidence Checklist.
Related guide: UK Graduate Visa for Kenyan Students: Apply by 31 December 2026 to Keep 2 Years, Fees and Proven Rules.
Related guide: UK Innovator Founder Visa for Kenyan Entrepreneurs: Proven Rules, £1,357 Fee and Endorsement Steps.
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