Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa opens the door for individuals to come to or stay in the UK by engaging in a suitable occupation under the sponsorship of an authorised employer who holds a Sponsor Licence.

The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 ( General) Work visa.

In order to successfully apply and be granted a Skilled Worker visa you must:

  1. Have been offered a skilled job in the UK. Your job must fall within one of the occupation codes on this list. To find out your occupation code, you must use this tool.
  2. You would need a certificate of sponsorship from a licenced sponsor in the UK, the list of which can be found here. Your employer is your sponsor.
  3. You’ll usually need to be paid at least £26,200 per year or the ‘appropriate rate’ for the job you’re offered – whichever is higher. However, you may be paid less if you have a job in the shortage occupation list, have a PhD in a subject relevant to the job, have a PhD in a STEM relevant to the job, or you are a ‘new entrant’ to the labour market.
  4. You must meet the English language requirement by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening or you must have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and your qualification is recognised by Ecctis as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher. You’ll need to send a certificate from Ecctis confirming this when you apply. You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America.
  5. You may also need to take a tuberculosis test if you currently reside in a listed country. Further information can be found here.
  6. You need to evidence that you have at least £1,270.00, in your personal bank account for 28 consecutive days prior to the date of submission. You will not be required to show proof of funds if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of application, or your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.00.
  7. If you are coming to work in the education, health, or social care sectors, you must provide a criminal record certificate for any country (excluding the UK) where you have lived for 12 months or more (whether continuous or in total), in the 10 years before your application, while aged 18 or over.

You can:

  • work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
  • do a second job in certain circumstances
  • do voluntary work
  • study if it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for
  • travel abroad and return to the UK
  • bring certain family members with you
  • You can apply for indefinite leave to remain, i.e. settlement under the Skilled Worker Visa category once you have reached 5 years’ continuous leave in the United Kingdom under this route. You cannot have had more than 180 days’ absence from the United Kingdom during any consecutive 12 months of the qualifying period prior to making an application for indefinite leave to remain. You must have indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months before making an application for British Citizenship, unless you are married to or in a civil partnership a British Citizen in which case you can apply for citizenship as soon as you are granted settlement.

You cannot:

  • Apply for public funds
  • Change jobs or employer unless you apply to update your visa
  • You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
    • as a visitor
    • on a short-term student visa
    • on a Parent of a Child Student visa
    • on a seasonal worker visa
    • on a domestic worker in a private household visa
    • on immigration bail
    • because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

For more information on our Skilled Worker Visas, please get in contact where we would love to discuss how we could help you in your application.

Learn More

The breakdown of fees for the Skilled Worker Visa is as follows:

  • Visa Application fees if you’re applying from outside of the UK:
    • Up to 3 years = £625.00
    • Up to 3 years (shortage occupation) = £479.00
    • More than 3 years = £1,235.00
    • More than 3 years (shortage occupation) = £943.00
  • If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch, or update your visa, the standard fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:
    • Up to 3 years = £719
    • Up to 3 years (shortage occupation) = £479.00
    • More than 3 years = £1,423.00
    • More than 3 years (shortage occupation) = £943.00
  • Immigration Health Surcharge – £624 per annum for applicants 18 years of age and over, and £470 per annum for applicants under the age of 18.

Skilled Worker Dependants
Family members (‘dependants’) can come with you when you come to the UK on this visa.
A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:

  • your husband, wife, or partner
  • your child under 18
  • your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.
You – or your partner or child – will need:

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

You won’t need evidence of your savings if you have a fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor certificate of sponsorship stating that your sponsor will cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK – this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship.

The earliest date that you can submit the application, is 3-months before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship (‘CoS’). Entry clearance will take effect from either the date of decision on the application, or your preferred date of entry as specified on the application form, whichever is later. The expiry date of the visa will be 14 days after the end date stated on your CoS.

You can only apply for initial entry clearance from your country of residency, and standard processing time is 3-weeks as at today’s date for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Your passport will be retained by UKVI during this time. We do not recommend booking any travel to the UK until you are in receipt of a valid visa.

Please contact us if you wish for further information and advice relating to the Skilled Worker route.

Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker Visa is an easy and efficient way for skilled professionals to work in Australia with a valid visa. The visa offers flexibility and convenience for those who need to work outside their country of origin and is approved quickly and efficiently.

Health and Care Worker Visa

The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for professionals employed in related health and care services who are looking to remain in the UK beyond the initial period of time.

Get in Touch

With years of experience working in UK immigration and Litigation law, our advisors can help you understand the process and take the right steps toward obtaining your goals. Get in touch today.