Skilled Worker Visa

1. Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

As a Skilled Worker visa applicant, you must provide the following documents:

• valid passport
• job contract
• job occupation code
• tuberculosis test result
• criminal record certificate
• valid ATAS certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher and you need one

You must have an employer in the UK sponsor you in order to be eligible for a skilled worker visa. Additionally, you must:

• work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
• be paid a minimum salary depending on the type of work you do
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa

2. Sponsorship certificates & licences

The UK employer must acquire a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence, issued by the Home Office. Once they hold such a licence the employer can apply to sponsor the migrant as a Skilled Worker. The employer must issue a “certificate of sponsorship” (COS), which is a virtual document which contains detailed information about the migrant and about the job.

3. Knowledge of English

Each candidate must demonstrate English proficiency. This must be at least at level B1 (intermediate). Usually, you will need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

4. Financial requirements

The general salary threshold under the Skilled Worker Visa route is £25,600 a year. This means that your salary must equal or exceed this number and 100% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. The assessment will be based on guaranteed basic gross pay.

5. How long you can stay?

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

6. How to apply?

The application process for a Skilled Worker visa is done online.

Once your application is complete, you will need to provide identification. You have two options for submitting your biometrics: a picture and your fingerprints at a visa application centre, or you can use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to scan your identity document. You will also have to pay the application fees and submit the documents.

Your husband or wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

The above process can only be taken if you are outside the UK. If you are already in the UK, you must apply to change from the visa you are currently using to stay in the country to a skilled worker visa.

You cannot change visas if you currently hold any of the following ones:

• visitor visa;
• parent of a Child Student visa;
• short-term student visa;
• domestic worker in a private household visa;
• seasonal worker visa;
• immigration bail;
• permission to stay outside the immigration rules.

If you have any of the above visas, you will have to leave the UK first and apply from outside the UK.

7. How long does a skilled worker visa application take?

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

The Home Office may require additional time to check your documents and verify your identity, depending on your specific situation. You should always plan ahead and submit your application on time because of this.

8. Getting a decision

It usually takes about 3 weeks to receive a decision from the Home Office if you are outside the UK. If you are already living in this country, you may need to wait up to 8 weeks.

9. How much it costs?

Depending on your situation, the application expenses for a skilled worker visa might range from £625 to £1,423. 

You must also consider the following costs while applying for your visa:

• an annual healthcare surcharge of £624
• When you arrive in the UK, you will need to be able to prove that you can support yourself with at least £1,270. If you have been in the UK for at least a year on a valid visa or if your employer is able to pay for your expenses during your first month there, you may be excused.

10. What you can and cannot do?

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Skilled Worker visa.

With a Skilled Worker visa, you can:

• study;
• work in an eligible job;
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible;
• have additional work in certain circumstances;
• travel abroad and return to the UK;
• do voluntary work;
• apply to settle permanently in the UK if you have lived in the UK for 5 years and meet 
 the other eligibility requirements.

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits or the State Pension;
• change jobs or employers unless you apply to update your visa

11. How can our company help?

It might be difficult to apply for a skilled worker visa on your own or to hire talented workers as an employer, particularly if you have to deal with your company’s authenticity needs. It involves several document submissions that can be time-consuming as you navigate through the steps.

If you need assistance with your Skilled Worker Visa application and have questions about the process or authorisation requirements, BS Immigration is always here to help.

Our advisers have successfully assisted numerous individuals in overcoming immigration challenges to settle in the UK, and we can provide the same level of support to you.