UK Visa For Foreigners: A skilled worker visa is a type of work visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the country and work for a sponsoring company. The Tier 2 work visa has been replaced by the Skilled Worker visa.
Immigration lawyers in London can help you obtain a work visa, switch to a different visa category, or extend your current skilled worker visa. Contact our UK immigration lawyer today for legal advice and assistance with any UK Skilled Worker visa application.
What Is A Visa For Skilled Workers?
The Skilled Worker visa, formerly known as the “Tier 2 (General) Work visa,” allows people from outside the UK to work in the UK for an approved employer. You can apply for ILR as a skilled worker after working in the UK for five years on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
Employers can hire skilled workers worldwide to do a specific job in the UK through the Skilled Worker route. Employers who want to hire qualified people from outside the UK must obtain a sponsorship licence from the Home Office.
UK Visa Criteria for Qualified Workers
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job offer from a sponsor who has been approved by the Home Office (Employer). The UK Skilled Worker visa is a type of point-based immigration. To be eligible for a work visa, an applicant must receive at least 70 points.
Requirements for UK Skilled Worker Visas
The “Skilled Worker” visa category has its own set of rules and requirements, which are detailed in a new appendix. To be eligible for this method of obtaining a work visa, skilled worker visa applicants must obtain 70 points.
This set of rules also applied to EEA citizens hired from outside the UK after January 1, 2021, as well as people who did not meet the requirements for the EU Settlement Scheme.
The following are the main eligibility requirements:
- You must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor;
- you must perform work at the appropriate level of expertise;
- you must be paid a minimum wage (the amount varies depending on the nature of your employment);
- you must be able to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself;
- you must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that verifies your position and salary;
- and you must be able to communicate effectively in English.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Documents
When applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must submit the following documents:
- A valid passport or other travel documents proving your identity and where you are from.
- A reference number for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which you can obtain from your employer.
- Your employer’s name and the number of their sponsorship license.
- Evidence that you can communicate in English.
- Your job title as well as your annual salary.
- Your job’s occupation code.
How To Apply For A Visa For Skilled Workers?
If you meet all of the requirements, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa online. If you require expert legal advice or assistance, you can contact experienced immigration solicitors in London.
Steps to obtaining a UK Skilled Worker visa include:
- Check to see if you meet the requirements.
- Fill out the online application form and submit it.
- Pay the application fee for the Skilled Worker visa.
- Make payment for the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).
- Please upload any supporting documents.
- Plan and attend a biometrics training session.
Deadline For Processing Skilled Worker Visas
A Skilled Worker visa from the UK takes an average of 11 weeks in 2023. The Home Office UKVI is working hard to restore the 8-week turnaround time for Skilled Worker visa applications.
Cost of Skilled Worker visa?
The Skilled Worker visa application fee can range from £625 to £1,423, depending on your circumstances. You’ll pay less to apply if your job is on the list of jobs in short supply.
You must also pay a yearly Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) of £624 when applying for a Skilled Worker visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the Requirements for UK Skilled Worker Visas
The “Skilled Worker” visa category has its own set of rules and requirements, which are detailed in a new appendix. To be eligible for this method of obtaining a work visa, skilled worker visa applicants must obtain 70 points.
This set of rules also applied to EEA citizens hired from outside the UK after January 1, 2021, as well as people who did not meet the requirements for the EU Settlement Scheme.
The following are the main eligibility requirements:
You must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor;
you must perform work at the appropriate level of expertise;
you must be paid a minimum wage (the amount varies depending on the nature of your employment);
you must be able to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself;
you must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that verifies your position and salary;
and you must be able to communicate effectively in English. -
What Is A Visa For Skilled Workers?
The Skilled Worker visa, formerly known as the “Tier 2 (General) Work visa,” allows people from outside the UK to work in the UK for an approved employer. You can apply for ILR as a skilled worker after working in the UK for five years on a UK Skilled Worker visa.
Employers can hire skilled workers worldwide to do a specific job in the UK through the Skilled Worker route. Employers who want to hire qualified people from outside the UK must obtain a sponsorship licence from the Home Office.