Skilled Worker Visa UK
The skilled worker visa is one kind of work visa available in the UK that permits foreign nationals to work for a sponsoring firm.
Because this work visa is classified as “general,” meaning that it applies to a diverse array of professions. The skilled worker visa is likely to cover your employment if it cannot be covered by one of the various specialised work cards that are available in the UK.
A person’s employment, English language proficiency, and salary are among the conditions they must fulfil to be eligible for a skilled worker visa.
Workers may remain in the UK for a maximum of five years with this visa. They can then decide whether to stay longer or, if qualified, request ILR. Call us at 447561699666 to learn more about skilled worker visas.
The skilled worker visa is one kind of work visa available in the UK that permits foreign nationals to work for a sponsoring firm.
Because this work visa is classified as “general,” meaning that it applies to a diverse array of professions. The skilled worker visa is likely to cover your employment if it cannot be covered by one of the various specialised work cards that are available in the UK.
A person’s employment, English language proficiency, and salary are among the conditions they must fulfil to be eligible for a skilled worker visa.
Workers may remain in the UK for a maximum of five years with this visa. They can then decide whether to stay longer or, if qualified, request ILR. Call us at 447561699666 to learn more about skilled worker visas.
What are the requirements to be eligible for a skilled worker visa in the UK?
To issue you a skilled worker visa, UK Visas and Immigration needs the following details:
- You are currently over eighteen.
- Has a current CoS been acquired for the work you want to do?
- Do you intend to apply for a legitimate position?
- The Immigration Skills Charge has been paid by your sponsoring employer.
- A sufficient degree of competence is required for your role.
- For the task you will be performing, you must be paid a certain minimum salary or the “going rate,” whichever is greater. The minimum wage is at least £38,700 annually as of April 4, 2024.
- Your level of English language competence is at least CEFR Level B1, which is the same as IELTS 4.0.
- The “going rate” for the profession and the general wage criterion will both be met or exceeded by your pay.
- You won’t have to depend on government help to sustain yourself.
- You have supplied a criminal record certificate as needed.
- A TB certificate must be shown.
You will have to meet certain standards based on your situation for UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility.
To demonstrate their eligibility, applicants for a skilled worker visa must provide a variety of Skilled Worker Visa required documents.
These include the following:
- Number of the Certificate of Sponsorship
- Evidence of your proficiency in English
- A current passport or other travel-related ID
- An agreement or additional document that specifies your job position and annual salary
- The industry code for the position
The documents you require will vary depending on your conditions:
- Evidence showing you have sufficient funds to reside in the United Kingdom, even though your sponsorship certificate is in order, demonstrates that your employer is covering your expenses.
- Provide evidence of connection if you are bringing dependant relatives.
- The results of a TB test if you are from a certain nation.
- Evidence of a criminal history.
- An ATAS certificate is required if you deal with or study sensitive subjects.
- Evidence of your completion of education in the United Kingdom or an ECCTIS reference number.
To be eligible for a skilled worker visa, you must demonstrate that you are proficient in English communication. In order to qualify for a skilled worker visa, it is necessary to exhibit proficiency in all four components of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: writing, speaking, listening, and reading.
Candidates seeking entrance clearance or permission to continue working as skilled professionals must meet the English Language Requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa by:
- You are a citizen of a nation where the majority of people speak English.
- passed the Secure English Language Test with flying colours.
- Received a degree in English.
- You obtained a GCSE/A Level in English when you were a student in the United Kingdom. They have previously shown that they fulfil the level B1 entrance clearance or stay authorisation criterion.
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Unless there are certain exceptions listed below, you typically require at least £1,270 in cash.
The funds must have been held for a minimum of 28 consecutive days and a maximum of 31 days prior to the deadline of your request for a skilled worker visa.
You may be excluded from the financial requirement if your sponsor is entirely “A-rated” and agrees to pay for your maintenance expenses until the conclusion of the first month of your job. Your sponsor must attest to this on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
You are considered to fulfil the financial criteria if you are requesting permission to stay in the UK and have already been here with authorisation for a period of twelve months or more at the time of application.
Employers wishing to engage skilled workers via the skilled worker route are required to pay them a wage that meets or surpasses the “going rate” for the profession (as specified in the occupation code of the relevant employment) or the general compensation threshold, regardless of which is higher.
The general salary criterion for the Skilled Worker route is £25,600 annually. A wage of at least 100% of the market rate for the profession, or at least £25,600 annually, is often required of the visa application. The basis for determining salaries is a certain basic gross income.
Certain sponsored skilled workers may get less than the aforementioned sum via the skilled worker route if they have been granted “tradable points” for additional qualities:
Exception Category | Minimum Annual Salary | Percentage of Going Rate | Minimum Hourly Rate |
PhD aligned with the job field | £23,040 | 90% | £15.88 |
PhD in a STEM field relevant to the role | £20,480 | 80% | £15.88 |
Job listed on the Immigration Salary List | £20,480 | 80% | £15.88 |
Applicants at the beginning of their career (new entrants) | £20,480 | 70% | £15.88 |
Positions in designated health or education professions | £20,480 | 80% | £15.88 |
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To apply for this type of visa, you must submit an online application.
After your employment application has been successfully submitted, you are subsequently required to submit identification. You have the option of either scanning your ID using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app or providing your biometrics at the visa application location.
Additionally, you must submit the required paperwork and pay the application cost.
The following measures can only be followed by those who are not in the UK.If you are presently in the United Kingdom, you are required to submit an application to transition to a skilled worker visa. Remember that if you own any of the following visas, you are unable to switch:
- Bail for immigration
- Visa for visitors
- Student visa for a parent of a child
- Temporary student visa
- Visa for seasonal workers
- Permission to remain exempt from immigration regulations
- a domestic worker with a private residence permit
You must first apply from outside the UK if you currently have one of these visas.
You must apply for a new visa if you currently have a skilled worker visa and want to switch employment. The following is true if you want to:
- Switch employers
- Alter your profession
- Modify the occupation code
- Switch a job on the shortage occupation list with one that isn’t
Until the Home Office makes a decision, you may apply from inside the UK and keep living and working here, provided your existing work visa is still valid.
If you accept a second job in a different profession with a different company, you will also need to apply for a new visa.
You have up to three months before the start date of your new position to submit an application to change jobs or employers. Since it might take up to eight weeks to hear back on your application, it is crucial to apply as soon as possible. Until your application has been decided favorably, you should wait to begin working for your new company.
Extension of the skilled worker visa
For the period, as you continue to work in the same profession and are employed by a similar sponsor or employer (which must correspond to the same employment code as your current visa), you are eligible, you will be allowed to renew your visa before it expires. Instead of extending your present visa, you will need to apply for a new one if you want to change jobs or employers. Your visa may be extended as many times as you choose.
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One major advantage of the skilled worker visa is that, after five years, you may apply for ILR to get permanent residence if you want to stay in the UK permanently rather than merely renew your visa. To do this, you must fulfill the continuous residency criterion, which states that you must have spent more than 180 days outside of the UK during any of the previous five years. You won’t have to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge or submit any more visa applications once you have indefinite permission to stay. After a year, you may apply for UK citizenship.
It is imperative to bear in mind that the five years required to qualify for ILR can be completed on a variety of visas, including the Tier 1 visa, the Innovator visa, the Global Talent visa, the Tier 2 visa (Minister of Religion or Sportsperson), and the Representative of an Overseas Business visa. Nevertheless, the time required to complete the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur program is not eligible for inclusion.
Additionally, in order to be eligible for ILR, you must demonstrate that:
- The Life in the UK exam, which is for those aged 18 to 65, has been passed by you.
- You continue to work for the same sponsor license holder.
- You continue to earn more than the bare minimum needed.
- You have appropriate levels of proficiency in the English language.
There are several reasons why your application for a skilled worker visa might be denied. Although there are many potential reasons why a visa may be denied, the following are the most frequent ones:
- Not submitting an application in its entirety
- not fully paying the application fee and associated expenses.
- Giving false information in the documents about the employment code or certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Not submitting the appropriate paperwork to support your position throughout the application process
- Not meeting the points-based system’s minimal threshold of 70 points
- Demonstrates a clean criminal and immigration history.
On the other hand, if your company does not have the relevant sponsor licenses or documents, your application for skilled worker status may be denied.
What Happens If Your Visa for Skilled Workers Is Denied?
If your visa application for skilled worker status is denied, you have a number of other options to choose from, depending on your circumstances. When a visa application is rejected, the applicant’s main option is administrative review.
If any of the following criteria are met, your application will be rejected:
- Initial Skilled Worker Visa application
- The steps involved in applying for a skilled worker visa
- Extending the visa or renewing it
Depending on whether you applied within or outside of the UK, you have a certain amount of time after an application is denied to request an administrative review of the decision. If you submitted your application outside of the United Kingdom, you have 28 days from the date of submission to submit a request. If you submitted your application within the United Kingdom, you have 14 days.
Your request will be addressed by the Home Office within 28 days. If you are dissatisfied with a decision, you have the option to submit a pre-action process for judicial review. If you are still dissatisfied with the previous decision, you have the option to submit a judicial review request.
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To hire skilled foreign workers, UK employers must apply for a sponsor license from the Home Office. A sponsor license gives businesses the legal accreditation they need to recruit and sponsor employees from outside the UK for certain employment roles.
A number of contractual conditions must be met by all sponsors in order to get this license. Employers must comply with all sponsorship rules, which include supplying certain data.
To be certified as a sponsor license supplier, the firm must submit proof of its viability.
The business must demonstrate that they are offering a legitimate job with a compensation that is more than the minimum.
Employers must show that they have adequate HR and management processes in order to meet all significant sponsor duties.
They must demonstrate that their company has enough employees capable of running the sponsor management system (SMS).
The Home Office anticipates that sponsors will show that they are still committed to upholding all licensing requirements, including attending planned inspections and assessments.
Employers who fully comply with the rules are certified as “A-rating” by the Home Office. Employers that fail to meet standards are given a “B-rating” status, which prevents them from issuing sponsorship certificates until they can demonstrate that they are accountable for all issues that remain unresolved.
Employers are exempt from having to provide resident labor market tests as part of their employment procedure.
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The detailed administration of business authenticity requirements is necessary for the process of obtaining a qualified Worker Visa and the recruitment of qualified workers through employment.
The application requires a large number of official papers, and completing each stage of the procedure might take a long time.
If you need support with your application for a skilled worker visa or would want more information about the procedures and requirements for permission, the Immigration Solicitors UK are here to help.
Our team of highly qualified worker visa lawyers is made up of lawyers with extensive knowledge of UK immigration law.
By overcoming immigration barriers, our staff has assisted several individuals with their application for UK residency, proving our capacity to aid you.
Our staff offers knowledgeable support in demonstrating financial stability and health insurance compliance, as well as outlining the differences between the sponsor license and CoS.
While assisting in the process of filing an application for a UK sponsor license or dealing with its denial, we will help you prepare the necessary paperwork.
Our staff at 447561699666 and our web platform provide comprehensive information on skilled worker visas to assist companies in hiring qualified foreign workers.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the options available to someone on a Skilled Worker visa in the UK?
If you’re residing inside the United Kingdom on a Skilled Worker visa, you have access to a wide range of opportunities. You’re allowed to live and work in the UK legally, and you can bring eligible family members (such as your partner and children) with you. You can also study, travel in and out of the country, and apply to settle permanently in the UK after meeting certain conditions, usually after five continuous years of lawful residence. In some cases, this visa can also be a stepping stone toward British citizenship.
Can you change employers while on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, it is possible to switch to a new job or employer while holding a Skilled Worker visa. However, you are required to submit an application to update your visa before starting the new job. The new role must meet the eligibility requirements of the Skilled Worker route, including being offered by an employer approved by the Home Office and meeting salary and skill thresholds. Until your new application is approved, you must continue working in your current role.
Are you allowed to take a second job on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, you may take on extra work, but there are restrictions. Any additional job must not interfere with your main sponsored role. You’re allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week in a second role, but only if it’s in the same occupation code as your main job or is listed as a shortage occupation. If you want to work more than 20 hours or in a distinct field, you will be required to update your visa to reflect this.
How long is a Skilled Worker visa valid?
The Skilled Worker visa is typically granted for up to 5 years at a time. The exact duration depends on the length of your employment contract or Certificate of Sponsorship. Before your visa expires, you can apply to extend it, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. There is no maximum limit on the number of extensions. On this visa, you may be eligible to petition for ILR after five years of continuous residence in the United Kingdom.
Is a visa required for EU citizens to work in the United Kingdom?
Yes, if you are a national of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and did not have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme before January 1, 2021, you now need a valid work visa to be employed in the UK. The Skilled Worker visa is one of the main routes available for this purpose. You must possess an employment offer from an authorised UK sponsor and meet the salary and skill level requirements.
What is the process for switching to a Skilled Worker visa?
If you are currently residing in the United Kingdom under a different kind of visa (such as a Student, Graduate, or Tier 2 visa), it may be feasible for you to transition to a Skilled Worker visa without needing to leave the country. You’ll need a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor and meet all other eligibility requirements, including English language ability and salary thresholds. Your application must be submitted before your current visa expires, and you must stay within the UK and the Common Travel Area while awaiting a decision.
Can I change my current visa to a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, many existing visas can be switched over to the Skilled Worker route, such as Student, Graduate, or other temporary work categories. You’ll need to apply while still in the UK, and your application must meet all requirements for the Skilled Worker visa. Importantly, if you travel outside the UK, Ireland, or the Crown Dependencies before a decision is made, your application will be withdrawn.
Also, you must know that while you can switch your visa, your family members (partner or children) are not required to submit an application separately to modify their status. They may apply concurrently with you or later, as long as it’s before their current visa expires.
