To qualify for a UK skilled worker visa, you must be able to work for a UK employer based in the country. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 general work visa. To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you should be able to work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office and have a certificate of sponsorship or CoS from your employer with information on the role you have been offered in the country. You must also be involved in a job on the list of eligible occupations. You must also be paid a minimum salary based on the type of work you are doing and the date you received your company sponsorship.
Eligibility for UK Skilled Worker Visa
You must hold a confirmed job offer before applying for this visa. You must be drawing a minimum salary for the type of work you will be engaged in, whichever is the highest of 38,700 pounds per year or the “going rate” for your work. The skilled worker minimum salary requirement can be lower if you extend this visa or even update it because you have a new job or employer. It is imperative that your employer pays you the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for the number of hours a week you work. This is a mandate and is required by the Home Office to accept your application.
There are different salary rules when you work in some healthcare and education roles. The going rate in these sectors is based on national pay scales. If you do not meet the usual skilled worker minimum salary requirements and are not engaged in healthcare or education, you might still be eligible if your salary is at least 30960 pounds per year.
Your employer must be approved by the Home Office and they can apply for a sponsor licence if they are eligible. You need to pay 536 pounds for small businesses and charities and 1476 for medium and large organizations. To obtain a sponsor licence, an employer needs around 8 weeks to process the application. In case your employer is in senior care, he or she must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.
You must be also able to speak, write and read English with a fair degree of understanding of the language. You need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply for the visa.
If you are on a UK skilled worker visa in the country, your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. After 5 years you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the country. This is known as the “indefinite leave to remain” in the country. This right to work, live and study in the UK also enables you to apply for benefits if you are eligible.
Application for UK Skilled Worker Visa
The application for the UK skilled worker visa is via the online method. How you apply depends on your status as an applicant. If you are outside the UK and coming to the UK, you need to show valid documents such as a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer, proof of your knowledge of English, a valid passport and another document that shows your identity and nationality. You must also be able to provide your job title and annual salary along with your occupation code. The name of the employer and their sponsor licence number is also essential as this will be on the certificate of sponsorship.
You may also need evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the country with bank statements unless you have proof that your certificate of sponsorship shows that your employer is ready to support you. You might also need to offer statements citing the proof of your relationship with your partner and children when they are applying with you. You need to provide tuberculosis test results from the listed countries if you are applying from one. A criminal record certificate is also needed if you are working in certain jobs. A valid ATAS certificate is also needed if your employer tells you that you need one since your job involves work and research on sensitive subjects at PhD level or even higher.
You might also need to provide your UK PhD certificate with your Ecctis reference number or the formerly UK NARIC reference number if you have received qualification from outside the UK.
You will also need a blank page in your passport for the UK skilled worker visa if you are from outside of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. In case you have documents that are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.
After you Apply Online: Awaiting the Decision for UK Skilled Worker Visa
You have to use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to scan your identity document. You need to create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. You also need to have your fingerprints and photo with biometric information taken at the visa application centre. The centre may keep your passport and documents when they process your application. You may have to travel to the nearest visa application centre if you are staying in another country.
Once you have applied online and proved your identity, you need to offer documents to await the decision within 3 weeks. In case there are anomalies in your application, it might take longer and you need to provide supporting documents and get them verified. You also need to attend the interview and explain if you have any specific personal circumstances if you have a criminal conviction. You can consult the best immigration lawyer in London or even take the help of the “super priority service” for visa and settlement applications. With this service, you can get a decision by the end of the next working day. It can take longer to get a decision when the Home Office needs to ask you for more information or check your details with other government departments.
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