Brexit (officially effective 2020) completely restructured the UK’s immigration system: EU citizens lost automatic work/residency rights, while the UK simultaneously opened equal opportunities to global skilled talent — for Chinese professionals, this places them on the same starting line as EU workers. The current Skilled Worker Visa (replacing the former Tier 2 General visa) is the primary pathway for working in the UK: based on a points system (each requirement corresponds to points); reaching 70 points is sufficient for approval.
## Skilled Worker Visa Points Requirements
**Mandatory factors (50 points — all must be met)**: ① Job offer from a UK Registered Sponsor (20 points); ② occupation must be on the UK approved occupation list (SOC code system) (20 points); ③ English at B1 level or above (10 points). **Optional factors (make up to 70 points)**: ④ salary meets the minimum threshold for the occupation or £25,600+ annually (20 points); ⑤ salary significantly exceeds the occupation threshold (additional points); ⑥ occupation is on the Shortage Occupation List (20 points); ⑦ relevant subject PhD (20 points, applicable to STEM fields); ⑧ relevant research-focused PhD (10 points). In most cases, meeting mandatory factors + salary requirement reaches 70 points.
## Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is the UK’s special pathway for internationally elite talent — no employer sponsorship required: applicants need endorsement from a recognized Endorsing Body — science/engineering/technology/humanities/digital technology fields each have dedicated bodies (Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Tech Nation/Tech UK, etc.). Endorsement has two categories: “Exceptional Talent” (demonstrated high achievement) and “Exceptional Promise” (high future potential, typically for early-career stage). Advantages: no minimum salary requirement; can freely change employers; faster pathway to settlement (can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years; Exceptional Talent holders can apply even faster upon meeting other conditions).
See [Skilled Migration Overview](https://sunqi.org/skilled-migration-overview-en/) and [UK Government Immigration Website](https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa).
