UK immigration pathways for cybersecurity professionals

Are you a cybersecurity professional looking to work in the UK? See below for answers to frequently asked questions.

Can cybersecurity professionals qualify for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, they can. One of the eligibility requirements of the UK Skilled Worker visa is for the job to be on the list of eligible occupations. Cybersecurity roles are considered “higher skilled” jobs, and many jobs fall under the category on the list of eligible jobs for Skilled Worker visas.

Cybersecurity roles have the Standard Occupational Code (SOC) 2135. The roles that fall under this code are:

• Cyber operational defence specialists.
• Cyber security management and governance specialists.
• Forensic Computer specialists
• Secure system development specialists.
• Cyber security professionals not elsewhere classified.

What are the minimum salary and qualification requirements for cybersecurity visas?

July 2025 saw the minimum skills threshold for those applying for a Skilled Worker visa increase from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 to RQF level 6, which equates to a graduate-level job. Whilst the applicant is not strictly required to have this qualification to obtain a Skilled Worker visa, the job they are applying for typically requires candidates to have a degree. The exception to this is for jobs that are on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Cybersecurity roles are considered to be at RQF level 6 or higher.

To be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, applicants must usually have a job offer with a salary of £41,700 or the ‘Standard Going Rate’ for their role – whichever is higher. For cybersecurity professionals (SOC 2135) the going rate is £48,500 per year, meaning the applicant would require a minimum salary of £48,500. This is based on a 37.5-hour working week and should be prorated in cases of longer or shorter working patterns. Regardless of the working hours, the salary must not fall below £41,700 per annum.

Cybersecurity professions who had a Certificate of Sponsorship for their first Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024, and have continually held a Skilled Worker visa since then, may rely on the ‘Lower Going Rate’ of £35,300 per year. This means they will need to have a salary of £41,700 (as that is the higher of the two figures).

Can cybersecurity experts apply under the Global Talent visa route?

Yes, they can. The Global Talent visa is an option for leaders or future leaders in the fields of:

• Academia or research.
• Arts and culture.
• Digital technology.

Cybersecurity falls under the category of ‘digital technology’. Those with a technical or business background in cybersecurity may be eligible. They will require an endorsement from an ‘endorsing body’ as proof that they are a leader in their field. For cybersecurity professionals, the relevant endorsing body is ‘Tech Nation’. Once you have received the endorsement, you will be able to apply for the visa.

With this visa you can:

• Work (as an employee, be self-employed or as a director of a company);
• Bring your dependants (if they are eligible).

The Global Talent visa grants you permission to stay in the UK for up to five years, with the option to extend your visa upon expiry.

See our blog on more information about the Global Talent visa.

Can international students in cybersecurity switch to a work visa in the UK after graduation?

Yes, there are several visas that an international student in cybersecurity can switch to, which permit them to work in the UK. These are:

• Skilled Worker visa.
• Scale-up Worker visa.
• Global Talent visa.
• Innovator Founder visa.
• Graduate visa.

Whilst the Skilled Worker and Scale-up Worker visas require a valid job offer, the Global Talent visa and the Graduate visa both grant the visa holder the right to work in the UK without a job offer. The Global Talent visa can be valid for up to five years, with the option of extending. The Graduate visa, however, is only currently valid for two years (three years for those who hold Ph.D. or other doctoral qualifications) and cannot be extended, meaning that once the Graduate visa has expired, the applicant will either need to switch again, or leave the UK. The Graduate visa does not lead to settlement in the UK.

What are the settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) options for cybersecurity specialists?

Cybersecurity professionals looking to eventually settle in the UK may consider:

• Skilled Worker visa.
• Scale-up Worker visa.
• Innovator Founder visa.
• Global Talent visa.

Currently, those on the Skilled Worker visa and Scale-up Worker visa may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous, lawful residence in the UK.

Global Talent visa holders may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. For established leaders – known as Exceptional Talent – this requires three years of continuous residence in the UK, whilst candidates identified as having the potential to become leaders – known as Exceptional Promise – may be eligible to settle permanently after five years.

Innovator Founders are able to potentially apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years in the UK, or extend their visa if the eligibility criteria cannot be met by that stage.

Can cybersecurity consultants set up their own company in the UK and sponsor themselves?

Yes, this is a process called ‘self-sponsorship’ and falls under the Skilled Worker visa route.

This method involves the applicant establishing a genuine company in the UK and applying for a sponsor licence. For information on how to apply for a sponsor licence, read our blog: Practical tips on how to apply for a Sponsor Licence.

Once the company is registered as a sponsor, the applicant should apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship through the Sponsor Management System and then assign it to themselves. They must ensure the job is a valid opening, meeting the minimum skill and salary thresholds. Once this is done, they can apply for the Skilled Worker visa.

The Home Office have the right to audit all companies registered as sponsors. Therefore, it is imperative that the applicant is aware of their duties as both a sponsor and an employee, and remains compliant with their obligations for both throughout the duration of the sponsorship.

Self-sponsorship arrangements are usually subject to greater scrutiny by the Home Office, as they will need to be satisfied that the company is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy for which the prospective candidate for sponsorship is suitably qualified, and that the company has not been established for the sole or main purpose of sponsoring a visa. It is, therefore, highly recommended to obtain immigration advice when considering such applications.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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