The United Kingdom allows individuals from different parts of the world with specific skills to work and live in the UK, filling crucial roles and contributing to the country’s economy. Different types of visas allow foreign nationals to take up jobs in the UK, and the most common is the Skilled Worker Visa.
This article discusses the key details of the Skilled Worker Visa, including eligibility and documentation requirements and the application process.
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows foreign nationals to enter the UK and work in an eligible job for an approved employer. It is one of the most common UK work visas as it covers a wide range of occupations and job types.
Applicants are typically expected to meet various requirements, such as skill level, salary, and English language, to be eligible. Visa holders can access public healthcare, study, take up additional employment, and be joined by their partners and dependent children.
The Skilled Worker Visa is a long-term work visa with an initial validity period of up to 5 years. After that, you can apply for an extension or settle permanently (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements for the Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa follows a points-based system that requires you to accrue 70 points based on a set of criteria. Requirements such as your skill level, job offer, and English language ability attract 50 fixed points, while other criteria attract 20 tradeable points.
To be eligible for the visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 or over.
- Have an offer for a job on the list of eligible occupations.
- Meet the skills level for the job role, which is at least equivalent to RQF level 3.
- Be paid the minimum salary of at least £38,700 annually (£30,960 annually for jobs on the Immigration Salary List) or the occupation-specific rate of the job, whichever is higher.
- Work for an employer approved by the Home Office to sponsor foreign workers.
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered.
- Prove that your job meets the genuine vacancy requirement.
- Be able to speak, read, write, and understand English to at least CEFR Level B1.
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself (at least £1,270 for your first month in the UK) without relying on public funds.
- Have a clean criminal record.
Documents Required to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
When applying for the Skilled Worker Visa, you must submit some supporting documents along with your application form to demonstrate your eligibility. These documents include:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- A document detailing your job title, occupation code, annual salary, and employer name and sponsor licence number.
- Proof of your knowledge of English with any of the following:
- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) result
- Certificate of an advanced qualification taught in the UK
- A degree-level qualification taught in English from outside the UK
- Proof of Immigration Skills payment from your employer
- A bank statement showing you can support yourself financially unless your CoS indicates that your employer can support you.
- A tuberculosis test result if you are from a country required to submit one.
- A criminal record certificate, depending on the type of job you’re applying for.
- A valid ATAS certificate if your job involves research in a sensitive subject at a PhD level or higher.
- Proof of your relationship with your partner and dependent children if they are applying with you.
Note that your documents must be in English or Welsh. Otherwise, you will be required to translate and certify them as true copies using an approved translation service.
How to Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa
The application process for the Skilled Worker Visa is usually online via the UK government website.
You must create an account, complete the online application form, upload your supporting documents, and pay the visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge fees.
Afterward, you must prove your identity. There are two ways to do so, and you’ll be told which option applies to you during your application. You can either:
- Submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) at a visa application centre (VAC) in your home country.
- Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document.
If you visit the VAC for an appointment, the officials may keep your passport and documents while they process your application. As soon as the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has reached a decision on your application, they will notify you of the outcome.
The Cost and Processing Time of the Skilled Worker Visa
The application fee for the Skilled Worker Visa depends on an applicant’s circumstances.
If you’ll be in the UK for up to three years, you’ll pay £719 and £1,420 if you stay longer than three years. However, if your job is listed on the Immigration Salary List, you will pay £551 if you’re staying for up to 3 years and £1,084 for a stay of more than three years.
You must also pay an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 annually. This means that if your visa is valid for five years, you’ll pay £5175. Additionally, you will pay a biometric enrollment fee of £19.20.
Other optional fees include the cost of translating and certifying your documents, the service charge at the VAC, and legal fees if you use an immigration lawyer.
Furthermore, applications for the Skilled Worker Visa from outside the UK typically take three weeks to process. However, it may take longer depending on certain circumstances, such as if you have a criminal conviction or your documents require verification.
The Home Office offers a priority service for an additional fee that allows you to receive a faster decision. You’ll be told if this service is available when you submit your online application.
Benefits of hiring foreign workers: Enhancing growth and innovation(Opens in a new browser tab)
Conclusion
The Skilled Worker Visa application requires you to meet strict requirements and submit extensive documentation. This process can be lengthy, complex, and challenging, particularly if you are not familiar with UK immigration laws. Any errors or mistakes could lead to a delay or visa denial.
It’s advisable to hire an immigration lawyer to guide you through the process and help you maximise your chances of having a successful outcome.
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