Skilled Worker vs Temporary Worker Visa: Key Differences

When seeking sponsored work in the UK, you’ll likely encounter two main visa categories: Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker. Understanding the differences is crucial for making the right choice for your career.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Skilled Worker	Temporary Worker
Duration	Up to 5 years, renewable	Usually 12-24 months
Settlement path	Yes (after 5 years)	No
Salary threshold	£41,700+ or going rate	Varies by category
Skill level	RQF 6+ (graduate level)	Varies
Dependants	Yes	Usually limited
Change employer	Yes (with new CoS)	Limited

Skilled Worker Visa in Detail

Purpose

The Skilled Worker visa is designed for long-term skilled employment, providing a pathway to permanent UK residency.

Key Characteristics

Duration:

Initial grant up to 5 years
Unlimited extensions possible
Can stay as long as you’re sponsored

Eligibility:

Job offer from licensed sponsor
Role at RQF 6+ skill level
Salary of £41,700+ or going rate
English language B2 level

Rights:

Work full-time for sponsor
Take secondary employment (20 hours in lower-skilled work, unlimited in same skill level)
Study
Bring family as dependants

Path to Settlement:

Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years
Can then apply for British citizenship
Continuous residence requirement

Temporary Worker Visa Categories

The Temporary Worker visa has multiple sub-categories, each with different requirements:

Creative Worker (T5)

For: Creative industry professionals
Duration: Up to 12 months (24 months for some)
Activities: Performing, filming, modelling, contributing to creative works

Charity Worker (T5)

For: Unpaid charity workers
Duration: Up to 12 months
Activities: Voluntary charity work only (no paid employment)

Religious Worker (T5)

For: Ministers of religion and religious workers
Duration: Up to 2 years
Activities: Preaching, pastoral work, non-pastoral religious duties

Government Authorised Exchange (T5)

For: Various approved schemes
Duration: 12-24 months depending on scheme
Activities: Work experience, training, research, fellowship programmes

Seasonal Worker (T5)

For: Agricultural and horticultural workers
Duration: Up to 6 months per year
Activities: Farm work, picking, packing

International Agreement (T5)

For: Employees under international law contracts
Duration: As per contract
Activities: Specific diplomatic or contracted work

When to Choose Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker visa is usually better if you:

Want Long-Term Residence

Planning to settle in the UK
Building a career rather than gaining temporary experience
Want to bring family long-term

Have Professional Qualifications

Your occupation meets skill requirements
You can command £41,700+ salary
You want career progression opportunities

Seek Job Flexibility

May want to change employers
Want to build UK work history
Planning to grow professionally in the UK

Example Scenarios

Software Developer from India:
Job offer at £55,000 from tech company → Skilled Worker

Senior Accountant from Australia:
£65,000 role at Big Four firm → Skilled Worker

Nurse from Philippines:
NHS job at £29,000 → Health and Care Worker (specialised Skilled Worker)

When to Choose Temporary Worker

A Temporary Worker visa may be appropriate if you:

Have Specific Short-Term Purpose

Coming for a defined project or event
Part of an international exchange programme
Seasonal work opportunity

Don’t Meet Skilled Worker Requirements

Job doesn’t meet skill level
Salary below threshold
Role is inherently temporary

Not Seeking Settlement

Plan to return home after the assignment
Using UK experience as career stepping stone
Testing UK work environment before committing

Example Scenarios

Actor from USA:
6-month theatre production → Creative Worker

Researcher from Germany:
12-month university fellowship → Government Authorised Exchange

Religious leader from Nigeria:
2-year posting to UK congregation → Religious Worker

Switching Between Categories

From Temporary to Skilled Worker

You CAN switch to Skilled Worker from most Temporary Worker categories if:

You receive a valid job offer from a licensed sponsor
The role meets Skilled Worker requirements
You apply from within the UK

This is a common pathway for those who initially enter on temporary routes.

Restrictions on Switching

Some categories have restrictions:

Seasonal Workers cannot switch to most long-term routes
Some exchange schemes prohibit direct switching
Charity Workers may have limitations

Rights Comparison

Work Rights

Skilled Worker:

Full-time work for sponsor
Secondary employment allowed
Can be self-employed in spare time (same skill level)

Temporary Worker:

Usually limited to sponsored activity
Secondary work often prohibited
Specific to the scheme/purpose

Study Rights

Skilled Worker:

Can study without restriction

Temporary Worker:

Usually permitted but may have conditions
Some categories prohibit study

Benefits Access

Skilled Worker:

Full access to NHS (after IHS payment)
Most public services accessible
Can access housing support after qualifying period

Temporary Worker:

NHS access (after IHS payment where required)
Limited or no access to public funds
Some categories exempt from IHS

Family Considerations

Skilled Worker Dependants

Spouse/partner can join
Children under 18 can join
Dependants can work and study freely
Path to settlement alongside main applicant

Temporary Worker Dependants

Often limited or no dependant provisions
Some categories allow spouse only
Children may not be permitted
No settlement path for dependants

Making Your Decision

Questions to Ask Yourself

What’s my long-term goal?
- Stay permanently → Skilled Worker
- Temporary experience → Temporary Worker (if eligible)
Do I qualify for Skilled Worker?
- Job at right skill level?
- Salary at threshold?
- Sponsor offering CoS?
Is my role inherently temporary?
- Fixed project/event → Temporary Worker makes sense
- Ongoing role → Skilled Worker preferred
What about family?
- Need dependants → Skilled Worker
- Coming alone for short period → Either option

For Most Professional Workers

The Skilled Worker visa is typically the better choice because:

Clear settlement pathway
Greater job flexibility
Better family provisions
Full employment rights

Temporary Worker Advantages

Consider Temporary Worker when:

Role doesn’t qualify for Skilled Worker
Short-term opportunity too good to miss
Specific scheme aligns with your situation
Using as stepping stone to gather UK experience

Conclusion

For most professional workers seeking careers in the UK, the Skilled Worker visa offers superior benefits and long-term security. Temporary Worker routes serve specific purposes and can be stepping stones to longer-term immigration status.

Find sponsors for both routes: Search our database to discover employers licensed for Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker sponsorship.