Skilled Worker visa: photo and application guide
Long-stay employment route for workers sponsored by a UK employer holding a valid sponsorship licence. Replaced Tier 2 (General) in December 2020.
Quick answer
45 × 35 mm photo · £819 per person for a visa of up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years when you apply from outside the UK · biometrics at VAC
Photo specification is the shared UK 45 × 35 mm format. Biometric photo is captured at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment. Fee £819 per person for a visa of up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years when you apply from outside the UK; £943 and £1,865 when you extend or switch inside the UK. Plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of your stay. Processing 3 weeks standard outside the UK; 8 weeks for in-country switching applications. Last reviewed .
Application route
| Full name | UK Skilled Worker Visa (Sponsored Employment) |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Long-stay employment route for workers sponsored by a UK employer holding a valid sponsorship licence. Replaced Tier 2 (General) in December 2020. |
| Application route | Online application via GOV.UK after the sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) |
| Fee | £819 per person for a visa of up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years when you apply from outside the UK; £943 and £1,865 when you extend or switch inside the UK. Plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of your stay |
| Processing time | 3 weeks standard outside the UK; 8 weeks for in-country switching applications |
| Biometric appointment | Yes — at a visa application centre for new applicants; existing UK residents use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or attend a UKVCAS service point if the app is not available to them |
| Official portal | GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa ↗ |
Photo specification
The Skilled Worker visa uses the shared UK biometric photo standard. The digital photo uploaded with the online application is checked against this spec; the biometric capture at the visa application centre takes a fresh photo for the Home Office record.
| Size | at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation |
|---|---|
| Head height | head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop |
| Background | plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile) |
| Glasses | Only if you have to wear them; not tinted, eyes clearly visible |
| Digital file | jpg or jpeg, at least 600 × 750 pixels, vertically orientated, file from 50KB to 6MB |
What to watch out for with the Skilled Worker visa
Once the visa is approved your status appears as an eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account — the UK no longer issues plastic Biometric Residence Permit cards. The photo taken at the visa application centre stays in the Home Office biometric record and is checked at the border, so it is worth arriving neat and calm.
Frequently asked questions about the Skilled Worker visa
What size photo do I need for a Skilled Worker visa?
at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation, file size 50KB to 6MB, in jpg or jpeg. The Skilled Worker visa uses the UKVI digital standard: head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop, background plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it, neutral expression. The biometric capture itself happens at the visa application centre appointment.
How much does the Skilled Worker visa cost?
£819 per person for a visa of up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years when you apply from outside the UK; £943 and £1,865 when you extend or switch inside the UK. Plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of your stay. The visa fee is paid online during the application; the VAC service fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are separate charges.
How long does the Skilled Worker visa take to process?
3 weeks standard outside the UK; 8 weeks for in-country switching applications. The clock starts after you attend the biometrics appointment, not when you submit the online application.
Is the biometric appointment mandatory for the Skilled Worker visa?
Yes — at a visa application centre for new applicants; existing UK residents use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or attend a UKVCAS service point if the app is not available to them.
Will I receive a card with my photo on it?
No. Plastic cards (Biometric Residence Permits) are no longer issued: Skilled Worker visa status is held as an eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account. You prove it with a share code through the "view and prove" service — that is what border officers, employers, banks and landlords check.
Other UK visa categories
Prepare your Skilled Worker visa photo
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the UKVI 45 × 35 mm format and biometric framing automatically.