Skilled Worker Visa: Your Gateway to UK Employment
Make the most of your Skilled Worker Visa to pursue your professional aspirations in the UK. Our immigration experts are here to guide you through the application process.
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What is the Skilled worker visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa, formerly known as the Tier 2 (General) work visa, offers you a pathway to pursue your career aspirations in the UK. This visa allows eligible applicants to reside and work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible job role.
If you or your close family members are from the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and you began living in the UK before January 1, 2021, you can apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme. This scheme grants you the right to work in the UK without the need for a visa. Irish citizens also have the privilege of working in the UK without a visa or the EU Settlement Scheme.
Get in touch with us today at 8009702727 or through our online form, and we'll work together to make your journey a success!
Eligibility and Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must meet the following criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your prospective employer for the job you intend to undertake.
- Your job offer must be genuine.
- Your job role must be at an appropriate skill level.
- Your salary offer must meet or exceed both the general salary threshold and the “going rate” for the applicable SOC 2020 occupation code.
- Your sponsor must have paid any required Immigration Skills Charge.
- You must demonstrate English language proficiency at or above CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0).
- You must have sufficient funds to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- You must provide a criminal record certificate, if required.
- You must present a valid TB certificate, if required.
Documents Required for the Skilled Worker Visa Application
To support your Skilled Worker visa application, you may need to provide the following information and documents:
– Your valid passport (with a blank page)
– Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
– Your job title and annual salary
– Your job’s occupation code
– The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number (as shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship)
– Evidence of sufficient personal savings to support yourself
– Proof of your relationship to your spouse/partner and children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates)
– A criminal record certificate (required for certain occupation types involving vulnerable individuals, such as healthcare and education)
– Proof of your English language proficiency
– TB test results (if required for your country of origin)
– UK PhD certificate or Ecctis reference if your PhD is not from the UK
Salary Thresholds
- Skilled Worker Visa Applicants :
Starting from April 4, 2024, the salary threshold for most new Skilled Worker visa applicants will be £38,700, which is an increase from the previous threshold of £26,200. However, there is a discounted threshold of £30,960 for roles listed on the new Immigration Salary List or if the applicant is a new entrant to the labor market.
For eligible applicants relying on a relevant PhD, the minimum earnings requirement is £34,830. For those relying on a relevant STEM PhD, the minimum threshold is £30,960.
- Existing Skilled Worker visa holders : Applying for extensions or changing employers, the salary threshold will be £29,000 from April 4, 2024.
- Health and Care Worker Visa Salary Thresholds : The salary threshold for Health and Care Worker visa holders is also increasing, and from April 4, 2024, it will be £23,200 (up from £20,960) or the national pay scale for the role, whichever is higher. Workers applying for roles not on a national pay scale will need to meet a general annual salary threshold of £29,000. Lower thresholds may be available where specific requirements are met.
These new thresholds apply when applying for an initial Health and Care Worker visa or when extending permission.
Application Process for the Skilled Worker Visa
The application process for a Skilled Worker visa is carried out online. After completing your application, you must prove your identity by providing biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a visa application center or by using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document.
You will also need to pay the application fees and submit the required documents.
The above process can only be followed if you are outside the UK. If you are already within the UK, you will need to apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from your current visa type. However, certain visa types, such as
- Visitor visas,
- Short-term student visas,
- Parent of a child student visas,
- Seasonal worker visas,
- Domestic worker in a private household visa,
- Immigration bail, and permission to stay outside the immigration rules,
do not allow switching. In such cases, you will need to leave the UK first and apply from outside the country.
Processing Time for Skilled Worker Visa Applications
You can submit your UK visa application up to three months before your scheduled start date in the UK, as indicated in your Certificate of Sponsorship. The Home Office may require additional time to review your documents and verify your identity, depending on your circumstances. Therefore, it is advisable to submit your application well in advance.
If you are outside the UK, you can expect a Home Office decision within about three weeks. If you are already living in the UK, the processing time may take up to eight weeks.
If you need help, you can reach us at 800 970 2727 for a confidential chat or contact us online, and we'll get back to you quickly.
Why Choose Claim Time Immigration Solicitors?
- Experience & Expertise: Specialized immigration attorneys offering personalized guidance tailored to your immigration process.
- Customized Solutions: Individualized attention and tailored solutions to meet your unique immigration needs.
- Guidance Through the Process: Expert consultants providing clarity and support through every step of the spouse visa application process.
- Timely Updates: Immigration lawyers delivering timely updates on your case’s status to keep you informed of any developments.
- Strategic Advice: Immigration attorneys offering strategic advice to navigate the immigration system successfully.
- Legal Representation: Advocacy at immigration hearings, appeals, and legal proceedings to uphold your rights and interests.
- Transparent Pricing and Billing Practices: Adherence to transparent pricing and billing practices, ensuring clarity on all costs involved from the outset.
- Multilingual Support: Multilingual support services enabling successful access for clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Commitment to Success: Dedicated to achieving optimal results, prioritizing client satisfaction and success in each case.
How Our Immigration Solicitors Can Assist
Our team of experienced business immigration solicitors has expertise in assisting employers and skilled workers across various industries and companies of all sizes. Our solicitors can help you plan and ensure that you meet your start date while aligning your career progression with your immigration goals. Additionally, our business immigration solicitors assist UK employees in obtaining Skilled Worker sponsor licenses, maintaining their licenses at the highest rating, and complying with their sponsor duties.
We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients' needs. Our highly driven team provides clear and reliable immigration advice to skilled workers as part of a professional and friendly service.
Reach out to us for a complimentary initial consultation at
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Frequently asked questions
The Skilled Worker Visa, formerly known as the Tier 2 (General) work visa, is a UK visa that allows eligible individuals to live and work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible job role.
Eligibility criteria include being at least 18 years old, having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a prospective employer, meeting English language proficiency requirements, demonstrating sufficient funds, and more.
Required documents may include a valid passport, Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, evidence of job title and salary, proof of relationship to spouse/partner and children, criminal record certificate (if required), and others.
Salary thresholds vary depending on factors such as job role, experience, and whether the applicant is a new entrant to the labor market. The minimum salary requirement increased from April 4, 2024.
The application process is primarily online, involving providing biometrics, paying fees, and submitting required documents. Those already in the UK may need to switch from their current visa type or leave the country to apply.
Processing times vary but typically range from three weeks for applicants outside the UK to up to eight weeks for those already living in the UK.
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