Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa is preferred for an individual who is equipped with a skill and wants to work in the UK with their Sponsoring Employer for typically a longer period -usually 3 years. It is the replacement of the former Tier 2(General) Work visa. Dependent partner & children can also join the Applicant on this visa and this route may eventually lead to settlement in the UK.

Fill out our short enquiry form now, and our immigration lawyers will offer you a free 15-minute consultation.

Eligibility:

You must be over 18 & you must have:

If you are already in the UK & wish to switch to this visa, then you must not be on the following visas: Visit, short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic worker in a Private Household, Immigration Bail, Permission to stay outside of Immigration Rules.

Please see all requirements in detail below to fully understand the eligibility criteria. If you do not meet any of the requirements from below, you may also check for the exceptions mentioned therein, in case it is applicable to you.

Requirements

a. Sponsorship

You must have a job offer from a UK based employer and consequently been issued a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ (CoS) by the same employer for the time duration that you will be working with them in the UK.
To issue a CoS, your employer must have a Sponsor License and A-rated on the Home Office list of licensed sponsors. If your employer does not have any such license, they can apply for it.
Your proposed job must be on the Standard Occupation eligibility list, this is checked through matching the standard occupation code (SOC) mentioned on your CoS with the Home Office list.

Documentary evidence needed to prove this shall be discussed below in the documents section.

b. Finance

Minimum Salary:

Your employer must pay you a salary that is equal to or above the going rate for the specific SOC-standard occupation code, which matches to your job (or in simple words, going rate for the SOC mentioned on your CoS).

However, the latest minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker is set at £38,700. Therefore, if the going rate for your specific SOC is lower than £38,700 then your employer must pay you at least the minimum salary amount i.e. £38,700. Meaning the employer must pay the amount whichever is higher. You can check your job’s going rate on the Home Office website here.

If you do not meet this requirement, you may check the exemptions for the minimum salary requirement below in (F) section.

Maintenance Funds:

You must also have at least £1,270 to support yourself for the first month when you start the job in the UK. This amount must be withheld for at least 28 days in a row.

If you are accompanied by partner/children you need to prove additional funds:

If you do not have such amount in your possession, you may also ask your employer to cover this for you.

Documentary evidence needed to prove these requirements shall be discussed below in the documents section.

c. Qualification (English language)

You can meet this by either:

Taking an approved English language test such as IELTS (varies depending upon route & your location -please confirm with us) where you need to score at least CEFR level B1.
Or if you have an academic qualification or degree taught/researched in English. If this is from outside the UK then you will also need an Ecctis certificate whereby it depends on your location of qualification if whether you need a Statement of comparability or Visa and nationality service.
Or if you have successfully completed an English Language assessment recognized by the relevant regulatory professional body in your field

Documentary evidence needed to prove this shall be discussed below in the documents section.

d. Accommodation

Although this requirement is not as strict under this route like in family visa, however you are asked about suitable accommodation meaning it is exclusively occupied by you and your Dependant(s) if any and meets the public health standards. This could also be provided by your employer/company, or you could rent a suitable place for yourself later when you arrive to the UK.

e. Documents

Following is the brief guide on all the documentary evidence you will need to prove the abovementioned requirements:

Sponsorship: Certificate of Sponsorship (mentioning your Job title, occupation code, annual salary, working hours, sponsor name & license number etc.), Offer letter and/or signed Employment Contract from employer. For some people (applying under certain occupations like healthcare & education etc) criminal record certificate is also required.
For Dependant(s) applying with you: Marriage certificate or Civil Partnership certificate, personal statements of you & your dependent(s), child(ren) birth certificate, proof of cohabitation, bank statements/joint bank accounts, photographs together, communication proofs, divorce certificate from any previous marriages and optionally any other document that comes from government, doctor, or any professional attesting to your relationship. If only your child is joining you, and not their other parent (possibly your partner) then you must also provide proof of sole parental responsibility when applying, this is discussed in Child/Dependant visa.
Minimum Salary: Employment/Offer letter, pay slips, bank statements, P60 etc. (depends on whether you are applying for the first time, extending or changing employer/job).
Maintenance Funds: Your bank statement showing the required funds or a letter from your employer/Sponsor to certify maintenance for you (this will also be mentioned on your CoS).
Qualification: Test certificate, Degree certificate or official transcript.
Accommodation: Employer letter for provision of accommodation or Title Registry, or tenancy agreement and letter from landlord for no objection, council tax bill etc if any.
Tuberculosis: TB test certificate if you are applying from a country listed under Appendix T.
Mandatory documents: This includes all the conventional documents for identity & travel like passport, current/previous BRP (if you are extending this visa) & passport sized colour photos of the Applicant etc.

Our associates will help you collate all these documents and make sure these are submitted to UKVI on your behalf when you apply. Sign up through our enquiry form now to receive a free consultation on your matter.

f. Exceptions to any of the above

You are a 'New Entrant'
You are applying for health & care worker visa & the job you have been offered is amongst the shortage occupations now known as Immigration Salary list.
You have previously got a CoS before 4 April 2024 and have been granted one or more Skilled Worker visa. You then qualify for the ‘lower rate’ on the going rates for eligible occupations list.

You do not need to meet the maintenance funds requirement if you are applying from inside the UK and have lived here for over 12 months.
If you are from a majority English speaking country or you have proved your knowledge of English language in your previous application (in case you are applying for extension) then you may not need to meet the English language requirement.

Application Routes, Timeline & Fees

Following are the Home Office fees & expected time for Skilled Worker visa decision that varies depending on the following routes & factors:

Applying from outside the UK (first application):

Applying from inside the UK (Switch, Extend, Change of employer/job):

Same for additional family members/dependants added to your application.

Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to the Home Office application fee, you might also need to pay healthcare surcharge i.e. £1,035 per person for each year of stay (this can be multiplied for the number of years your CoS is valid for to obtain the total amount) under this route in order to avail free NHS and this is not optional.

Urgent procedure

If you wish to skip the queue and get a faster decision from the Home Office, you can also choose from the following services:

Same for additional family members.

*The timeline & fees abovementioned does not include or specify our processing time for your application and legal services fee at any point, and it shall be conveyed to you after consultation.

Please note:

A decision may take longer if the Home Office needs to request additional information from you or verify your details with other government departments. You will be informed if this occurs.

In the event of a delayed decision, you will typically not receive a refund. However, you can inquire about obtaining a refund for your priority service fee.

Route to Citizenship

You are eligible to apply for an Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after completing the qualifying period of five years in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. After obtaining settlement -ILR, you can apply for citizenship.

Rights & Limitations

During your time in the UK as a Skilled Worker you will be able to work (in an eligible job) or study. You may bring your dependant(s) if they are eligible. And you may also travel abroad & return back to the UK.

Moreover, you will also be having free access to (NHS) Healthcare during your time in the UK, but this does not apply to prescriptions, dental treatment, eye treatment and assisted conception.

However, you shall not be able to access the welfare benefits from Public Funds until you gain settlement status. Also, you cannot change or jobs or employer unless you update your visa.

Start your Application

Take the first step towards your future by starting your application with us. We understand that Skilled Worker visa requirements are complex, meaning it requires proper documentation, issuance of certificates & letters as well as strong legal representations to support the application. Therefore, we highly recommend you to leave that to experts and relax! Our expert lawyers will guide you through the process, ensuring all documents are checked and the necessary evidence is provided to UKVI while addressing any potential issues.

Reach out to us at info@visamerch.com or fill out our short form for a prompt response and a free 15-minute consultation with our appointed immigration lawyer!

Source: Gov.uk

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Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to address all your questions during consultations, however here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:

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What if my Sponsor is B-rated on the Home Office list?

Do I need to apply for new visa if I change my employer or job?

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