The United Kingdom presents many opportunities for visitors from other countries. Between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there are various places to live, work, and play. The UK has an extensive visa program that allows people from other countries to stay here longer.
Purpose and Benefits of a UK Skilled Worker Visa
The skilled worker visa route is reserved for people who plan to work in the United Kingdom and can offer needed skill sets to employers. Businesses benefit because they can rely on foreign nationals to fill out the ranks of their companies if there are skill shortages. Workers benefit from a more extended stay in the UK, bringing family members with them, and traveling abroad.
Eligibility Criteria for UK Skilled Worker Visa Holders
Several factors determine eligibility for the skilled worker visa. More specific eligibility criteria apply to certain occupations. You can find a detailed list here. The general criteria everyone must meet include:
- Job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office
- Certificate of sponsorship from employer
- Job must be on the list of eligible occupations
- Must be paid a minimum salary
- Proficient in speaking and writing English
The UK uses a points system to approve skilled worker visas. An applicant must have at least 70 points to be considered for this visa. Various characteristics and qualifications are worth different points. Some qualifications are mandatory, meaning the applicant must have them. Others are deemed tradeable, which means it’s okay if the applicant doesn’t have them and they can get to the required 70 points with other criteria. The points system is as follows:
- Offer of a job by an approved sponsor (mandatory): 20 points
- Job at appropriate skill level (mandatory): 20 points
- Speaks English at required level (mandatory): 10 points
- Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (tradeable): 0 points
- Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (tradeable): 10 points
- Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (tradeable): 20 points
- Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee (tradeable): 20 points
- Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job (tradeable): 10 points
- Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job (tradeable): 20 points
A UK business will often work with you to ensure you are eligible for a skilled worker visa before they extend an invitation to work with them.
Key Changes from Previous Tier 2 Visa
The skilled worker route replaced the prior version of this visa, the Tier 2 (General) work visa. The minimum salary requirement has been lowered, as have the skill requirements and application fee. There is no longer a cap on the number of skilled worker applicants accepted.
Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa
Skilled worker visa requirements must be met for an applicant’s application to be approved for this program. Here are the primary criteria for eligible applicants.
Job Offer
You must apply for the program with an eligible job offer from a UK employer with a sponsorship license. The Home Office must approve the specific employer and grant them a sponsor license. A valid Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer will be needed when applying. Your particular position must also be included on the list of eligible occupations.
Skill Level
The more skilled you are, the more points you will earn on your skilled worker visa application. You must earn 70 points total to have a chance at approval. Skilled workers with more experience in eligible disciplines earn more points on their applications, giving them a higher chance of obtaining visas.
English Language Requirements
To qualify for a valid visa, you must demonstrate that you can speak, read, write, and understand English to at least a B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. This can be done by passing a Secure English Language Test, obtaining your under-18 education at a UK school, or receiving a qualifying degree taught in English.
Salary Requirements
UK employers must be able to pay the minimum salary requirement to any skilled worker visa holders. The minimum salary threshold is $51,000, or the going rate for your specific job on the market.
Maintenance Funds
All skilled worker visa applicants are expected to support themselves in the UK. As a result, part of your application will assess if you have the funds to avoid burdening social services. You must be able to afford the application fee, the health surcharge fee, and savings of at least $1,670 unless you are exempt from this requirement.
Applying for the Skilled Worker Visa
To become a skilled worker visa holder, you must submit an application and have it approved. Here are the steps involved in the application process.
Stage 1: Sponsorship
The only way to proceed with a skilled worker visa is to receive job offers from licensed sponsors. A business can become a sponsoring employer by applying through the Home Office. The company will pay a fee, complete an application, create an internal sponsor management system, and await approval to sponsor job candidates from overseas.
For the applicant, you must find a job offer from a business with a valid sponsorship license and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from them to include in your visa application.
Stage 2: Visa Application
The application process depends on your circumstances. You can apply online if you are from outside the UK, and this is your first visa. There are separate processes if you need your current skilled worker visa replaced or need to extend your visa. You must prove your identity and obtain a biometric residence permit through fingerprinting. You’ll need all the required documents, including the Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
Required Documents
Applying for UK visas requires documentation. To abide by immigration rules, you must provide the CaS reference number, the CaS itself, proof of English proficiency, a valid passport or other identifying document, the job occupation code, and employer information. Other supporting documents that may be necessary include bank account statements, a criminal record certificate, proof of relationship for each dependent, and relevant academic qualifications.
Application Fees
You must pay several fees when you apply for the skilled worker route. Depending on your circumstances, the base application can cost between $947 and $2,159. Each year, you will also pay an immigration health surcharge of $1,363, making the skilled worker visa cost an ongoing expense.
Processing Times
When applying outside the UK, you can expect to wait at least three weeks before your new skilled worker visa is approved. Any current visa holder looking for a visa extension may wait up to eight weeks after completing the application.
Points-Based System
The visa application center will weigh your eligibility based on a points system. The more points you have based on your circumstances, the better your chance is of being approved. Let’s break down how the points work.
Points Allocation
The primary categories for points are skill level, salary, English proficiency, and job shortage occupations. You can receive a higher score if you have a higher skill level and understand English well. There are points awarded for specific education levels. Your score can increase depending on the specific job you are taking.
Minimum Points Requirement
The minimum number of points you must earn to have a chance of obtaining a skilled worker visa is 70. Any number above 70 will increase your chances of approval, while any number below 70 will likely be rejected.
Tradeable Points
If you obtain a qualified job offer, have a particular skill level, and maintain English proficiency, you start with 50 core points. Tradeable points can be exchanged for others to meet the minimum requirement. The amount of your salary, your educational background, and job shortages can all offer more points for your application.
Benefits of the Skilled Worker Visa
A skilled worker visa offers numerous benefits if you have the appropriate skill level and a job offer from a UK employer.
Work and Live in the UK
First, you can live and work in the UK as a visa holder. Even if you are from another country, this visa allows you to establish yourself in a new region brimming with professional opportunities. You can also do voluntary work, acquire extra work, and travel abroad with this visa.
Pathway to Settlement
A skilled worker visa can be valid for up to five years. At the end of that time, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a path to settlement in the UK. Eventually, you can gain additional rights as a permanent resident.
Family Members
You have the option to bring family members with you as dependents. This includes spouses, civil partners, and children. They must complete separate applications to come with you or join you in the UK.
Common Reasons for Skilled Worker Visa Refusals
Visa applications can be refused for numerous reasons. Here are some of the most common causes of rejected applications to help you avoid these mistakes.
Failure to Meet Requirements
Meeting the eligibility requirements is the bare minimum when applying for any UK visa. Before applying, ensure you read all the criteria for eligibility and provide accurate information on all forms and supporting documents. If anything is deemed inaccurate, your application will likely be rejected.
Sponsorship Issues
You cannot succeed with your application without a sponsorship from an approved employer. You must have a job offer from an employer with a sponsor license and a Certificate of Sponsorship from that same employer.
Other Grounds for Refusal
UK officials will also look at your criminal records, travel history, and finances to determine if you will be a burden on society. A past filled with criminal misconduct could quickly disqualify you from this program. Similarly, a convoluted immigration history could also be cause for concern. Poor finances may indicate that you do not have enough money to support yourself.
Tips for a Successful Skilled Worker Visa Application
To succeed as a skilled worker visa applicant, you can employ some strategies to increase your chances. Here are some tips for the application process.
Find a Suitable Job and Employer
The first step is finding a suitable job and employer. Without these elements, your application will fail. To expedite the process, look up the eligible occupations for this program and seek out businesses with sponsorship licenses.
Prepare a Strong Application
An application refusal can devastate your hopes of living and working in the UK. For the best chance of success, you must put as much effort as possible into your application. Gather all the documents you may need for the process, present a convincing application, provide evidence of all your claims, and research what makes for a robust application.
Seek Professional Advice
An immigration lawyer can offer advice on completing a compelling application and providing all necessary documentation, especially if you have been refused before. Rather than doing everything yourself and making costly mistakes, professionals can guide you to ensure you do everything right.
Summary
This visa program is designed to help businesses fill their employment gaps with skilled foreign workers. As a visa holder, you can enjoy many benefits of a domestic worker, such as living with your family in the UK. If you meet the minimum skill level for a specific job and that employer will sponsor you, applying for a skilled worker visa can start a new chapter in your life.