Brazilians applying for the UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026 are hitting a requirement that changed mid-year and that most general guides haven’t caught up to: the English-language bar jumped from B1 to B2 for new applicants, on top of the usual sponsorship and salary rules.
The English requirement just got harder
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants (and anyone switching into the route from a different visa category) must prove English at CEFR level B2 — up from the previous B1 — per GOV.UK. This matters specifically for Brazilian applicants because:
- Brazil is not on the exemption list (which covers countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and several Caribbean/Commonwealth nations) — Brazilian nationals must prove English regardless of how fluent they are.
- People already holding a Skilled Worker visa issued before 8 January 2026 can still extend at the old B1 level, but switching from another category requires B2.
- Regulated healthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, vets) can rely on their professional body’s own English assessment instead of a separate language test.
Most Brazilian applicants will need a SELT (Secure English Language Test) at B2, unless they hold a UK degree or an overseas degree taught in English and verified by Ecctis — plan for this test early, since slots at approved centres in Brazil can book out.
Fees — what you’ll actually pay
Current GOV.UK figures (per applicant, applying from outside the UK):
| Length of stay | Standard fee | On the Immigration Salary List |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 years | £819 | £628 |
| More than 3 years | £1,618 | £1,235 |
On top of that: the Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per year of visa validity, charged upfront for the full period — so a 3-year visa adds roughly £3,105 in surcharge alone. Budget the combined fee + surcharge total before committing to a 3-year vs. a shorter CoS.
Salary and maintenance funds
The exact salary threshold that applies depends on your occupation code and when your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was assigned — check your specific role against GOV.UK’s job eligibility and “when you can be paid less” pages, since thresholds vary by shortage occupation and new-entrant status.
Separately, you must show at least £1,270 held continuously in your bank account for 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of your application date — unless your employer certifies on the CoS that they’ll cover your initial costs, which many sponsors do for first-time hires.
Applying from São Paulo
There is no British consular visa-issuing office handling Skilled Worker applications directly — applications are submitted online via GOV.UK, with biometric enrollment at a UK Visa Application Centre run by a commercial partner (VFS Global or TLScontact, depending on current contracts) in São Paulo. Confirm which operator currently holds the Brazil contract and book your biometric appointment as soon as your CoS is issued — slots fill faster than the 3-week headline processing time suggests.
Processing time
Standard decisions take about 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK (versus ~8 weeks for in-country switches). You can apply up to 3 months before your job start date, and a priority (faster) service is usually available for an extra fee if your start date is tight.
Documents you’ll need
- CoS reference number from your sponsoring employer
- Valid passport
- Proof of English (SELT certificate, UK degree, or qualifying overseas degree)
- Maintenance funds evidence (unless employer-certified)
- Role-specific supporting documents — a criminal record certificate or TB test may apply depending on your specific history and travel pattern; check GOV.UK’s current country list rather than assuming either way
Corridor-specific pitfalls
- Booking a B1-level English test by habit (from outdated guides) instead of B2 is the single most common documentation mistake right now — confirm the test level before you sit it.
- Underestimating the IHS surcharge total for longer CoS lengths can derail funding plans; calculate the full fee + surcharge figure before choosing 3 years vs. a shorter sponsorship period.
- São Paulo biometric slots can lag behind the official 3-week decision clock — book immediately once your CoS lands, don’t wait for “closer to travel.”
Related reading
See UK ETA vs. other electronic travel authorisations if you’re also planning shorter UK visits, the UK Global Talent visa guide as an alternative route without employer sponsorship, or browse the Brazil origin hub and United Kingdom destination hub for other corridors.
Tracking a moving requirement like the B2 English change — and knowing it applies to you specifically as a Brazilian applicant — is exactly the kind of gap VisaMet is built to close before it costs you a refused or delayed application. Join the waitlist for early access.
Sources: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of English; GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs (both accessed October 2026). Salary thresholds and country-specific document lists change; verify current figures on GOV.UK before applying.
VisaMet provides preparation guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.