Sponsors assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship on or after 8 April 2026 are covered by updated Skilled Worker guidance, and entry clearance applications from Afghan nationals are refused from 26 March 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Skilled Worker sponsors; Skilled Worker applicants. The Afghanistan change affects applicants for entry clearance.
- From: 8 April 2026 for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned on or after that date; 26 March 2026 for the Afghanistan change
- Source: Sponsor a Skilled Worker
Replaces version 03/26, published on 6 March 2026.
UK Visas and Immigration has published version 04/26 of the Skilled Worker sponsor guidance, valid from 8 April 2026. It reflects Statement of Changes HC 1691, published on 5 March 2026.
The changes apply to CoS assigned on or after 8 April 2026. The exception is the change for nationals or citizens of Afghanistan, which applies to entry clearance applications made on or after 26 March 2026.
Afghanistan. New paragraph SK3.19 says an applicant for entry clearance made on or after 26 March 2026 must not be a national or citizen of Afghanistan, and that such an application will be refused. Afghan nationals already in the UK can still apply to extend their Skilled Worker permission if eligible, or switch to the route if they meet the switching rules.
Prison service officers. An additional transitional provision is reflected in SK1.2, which refers to prison service officers sponsored before 1 January 2027. New paragraphs SK4.25 to SK4.26 cover the provision. New paragraphs SK6.7, SK6.16 and SK6.26 to SK6.27 set out further circumstances in which a prison service officer can score salary points under Option F. New paragraphs in SK11.25 clarify how long a CoS can be assigned to a worker applying under these provisions.
Salary. SK6.23 now states that the transitional provision for salary under options F to J applies to applications for both entry clearance and permission to stay. New paragraphs SK7.19 to SK7.25 clarify how the Home Office assesses compliance with salary requirements, and SK5.5 now cross-refers to them.
Wording and clarifications. The "genuineness" requirement is relabelled the "genuine intention" requirement (SK3.1 and the sub-heading above SK3.13). SK3.4 clarifies the English language requirements for Skilled Workers from 8 January 2026. Under it, a worker whose most recent grant was as a Skilled Worker under the Rules in force before 8 January 2026 needs B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference in all four components. SK12.24 has a minor drafting amendment to its second bullet point.
What this means for applicants
Sponsors assigning a CoS on or after 8 April 2026 should check the new paragraphs, especially if they sponsor prison service officers. Nationals or citizens of Afghanistan who apply for Skilled Worker entry clearance on or after 26 March 2026 will be refused. Those already in the UK can still extend or switch if eligible.
Anyone with a printed or downloaded copy should check the version number and date on GOV.UK, as the guidance says it is subject to change.
Related guide: Sponsorship requirements for Skilled Worker
Sources
- Sponsor a Skilled Worker, UK Visas and Immigration, version 04/26