UK Skilled Worker Visa : Overview

The UK Skilled Worker Visa is designed for qualified skilled workers from around the world who want to work in the UK. This visa allows candidates to do an eligible job with an approved employer in the UK. The UK Skilled Worker Visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General Visa) Work Visa.

With this visa, foreign skilled workers can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. After 5 years, candidates may also be eligible to apply for UK PR Visa and move to the UK permanently.

Apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa

UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility

1. Your Job

To be eligible for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must:

• Work for an employer in the UK who is approved by the Home Office.
• Have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)’ from your employer which should include all the information about the role you have been offered.
• Do a job that is on the UK eligible occupations list.
• Be paid a minimum salary.

You must have a confirmed job offer before you can apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa.

Before you check if your job is eligible, you will need to find out its 4-digit occupation code. If you do not know your code, you can search for your job in the CASCOT occupation coding tool. Take note that every job title is not included. You can try searching for similar jobs if you can’t find the exact job title. You just need to make sure that the job description matches your job title.

2. Salary Requirements

You will usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ of your job - whichever is higher. Each of the occupations eligible for the UK Skilled Worker Visa has its own annual going rate.

3. Knowledge of English

To apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa, you must prove that you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least Level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can demonstrate your English language proficiency by:

• Passing the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
• Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.
• Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English. If you studied abroad, you will need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD.

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UK Skilled Worker Visa Documents Required

When applying for the UK Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to provide:

• Your certificate of sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of knowledge in English.
• A valid passport and other identity documents.
• Your job title and annual salary.
• Your job’s 4-digit occupation code.
• The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number.

Other documents you might need

• Depending on your situation you might also be asked to provide:
• Proof of funds to support yourself in the UK.
• Proof of relationship with your partner and dependents if they are applying with you.
• Your tuberculosis test results.
• A police background check certificate.

If you’ve lived in more than one country, you might need to provide a certificate from each country you’ve lived in.

How to apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa?

You must apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa online. How you apply depends on whether you are residing:

• Outside the UK.
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa.
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

If you want to change your job or employer, you need to apply to update your visa.

Note: The application process can get a bit complex, especially for first-timers. Seek guidance from the best UK Immigration Consultants in India at Nationwide Visas if you are having trouble.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Costs

Application costs

If you are applying from outside the UK, the standard fee for the UK Skilled Worker Visa depends on whether you will be in the UK for:

• Up to 3 years: £719 per person
• More than 3 years: £1,420 per person

If you are applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee for the UK Skilled Worker Visa depends on whether you will be in the UK for:

• Up to 3 years: £827 per person
• More than 3 years: £1,636 per person

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show that you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have these funds available for at least 28 days in a row. The 28th day must be within 31 days of applying for the visa. Your partner and children will also need to prove that they can support themselves while they are in the UK. You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Healthcare Surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay - this is usually £1,035 per year.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time

The latest UK Visa processing time to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa is 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are applying from inside the UK. You may be able to pay to get super-priority faster service.

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

UK Skilled Worker Visa Validity

The UK Skilled Worker Visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to apply for an extension. You will also need to apply for an extension or update your visa if it expires or you change your job/employer.

After 5 years, you may also be eligible to apply for UK PR Visa and move to the UK permanently. A UK PR Visa, also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain (ILR)’, grants you the freedom to study, work, and live in the United Kingdom as long as you like.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Extension

You can apply for UK Skilled Worker Visa extension if all of the following conditions are true:

• You have the same job as when you were given the visa before.
• Your job is in the same occupation code.
• You are still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.
• You still meet the salary requirements.

You must stay within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man while awaiting a decision, or your application will be withdrawn. In case you change your employer or move to a role with a different occupation code, you will need to apply to update your visa.

Need help?

Connect with Nationwide Visas, one of the best UK Immigration Consultants in India. Our team will evaluate your case, offering the best solutions to immigrate to UK. Whether you need help with your application, documentation, finding jobs, or else, we’ve got you covered. Get a free consultation session and determine the best option to apply for your situation.