Do you have ambitions to advance your career in a land of abundant economic opportunities? Are you longing for a foreign nation that upholds the rights of its international workforce? Look no further than the United Kingdom, a country teeming with potential for skilled professionals, offering an enhanced quality of life and a lively, diverse cultural environment.
How can you turn this cherished dream into a lasting reality? The United Kingdom’s Skilled Worker Visa program holds the answer to this question. This visa empowers foreign individuals to either enter the UK or continue residing there, engaging in eligible employment under the sponsorship of an approved employer. It’s worth noting that this visa has replaced the previous Tier 2 (general) work visa.
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa extends an invitation to eligible individuals, beckoning them to the UK to contribute their skills to an approved sponsor in a qualifying role. To qualify for this visa, candidates must amass a total of 70 points, a criterion determined by factors such as skill and salary levels, English language proficiency, and the receipt of a qualifying job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsorship license.
This comprehensive visa program also accommodates the inclusion of partners and children, allowing them to apply for residency alongside the primary visa applicant as skilled worker dependents. The skilled worker visa for the UK is initially granted for a duration of up to five years. Subsequently, holders of this visa may become eligible to seek permanent residency in the United Kingdom.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the United Kingdom Skilled Worker Visa 2023, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.
- 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
- do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- be paid a minimum salary. how much depends on the type of work you do
- Applicants must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
- Also note that there are specific eligibility requirements that depends on your job.
Benefits of UK Skilled Worker Visa
There are many benefits of the UK Skilled Worker Visa 2023, and some of them are listed below:
- Straightforward, less cumbersome, and accessible for skilled professionals willing to move to the UK.
- Work in an eligible profession
- Pursue studies
- Bring dependents (partner and children)
- Undertake additional work under specific circumstances
- Participate in voluntary work
- Travel abroad and re-enter the UK
- Apply for permanent residency in the UK after 5 years
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Applicants are to complete all their applications online.
To apply for a skilled worker visa, the applicant will need to submit an online application, together with their supporting documentation, and pay the relevant fee.
Applications can be made up to 3 months before the worker’s intended employment start date in the UK, as stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
The applicant will need to submit an online application within three months of being assigned their Certificate of Sponsorship. Each certificate has a unique reference number that they will need to apply for.
Applicants will also be required to attend an appointment at a visa application center to enroll their biometric information and to submit various documents in support.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
- outside the UK and are coming to 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 must apply to update your visa.
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
Supporting Documents:
- Their Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, as assigned by their sponsor
- The sponsor’s name and sponsorship licence number
- Confirmation of job title
- Confirmation of annual salary for the job
- Job occupation code
- A current passport or other travel document to prove they can travel
- Expired passports or travel documents to show their travel history
Additionally, it may also be important to submit additional documents depending on the peculiarities of the circumstances, which may include:
- Proof of personal savings, where applicable
- Proof of knowledge of English, where applicable
- Tuberculosis test results are from a listed country
- Evidence of relationship to any dependents also applies.
- Valid ATAS certificate, where applicable
- UK PhD certificate, or Ecctis reference number, where applicable
- Criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, where they will be working in either the education, health, or social care sector in the UK.
FAQs about the UK Skilled Worker Visa:
1. What is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals with specific skills and job offers from approved UK employers to live and work in the United Kingdom.
2. What is the main purpose of the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The primary purpose of this visa is to address the shortage of skilled workers in the UK by enabling foreign nationals to fill eligible job positions with approved employers.
3. What are the eligibility criteria for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
To be eligible, applicants typically need to meet criteria related to their job offer, including skill level, salary, and sponsorship by a UK employer with a valid sponsorship license. They also need to demonstrate English language proficiency.
4. How do I apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The application process involves several steps, including securing a job offer, obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) from your employer, completing the online application form, paying the visa fee, and attending a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Center.
5. How long is the UK Skilled Worker Visa valid for?
Initially, the Skilled Worker Visa can be granted for up to five years. After this period, you may be eligible to apply for an extension or permanent residency, depending on your circumstances.
6. Can my family join me in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa?
Yes, your immediate family members, such as your spouse, civil partner, or children, can apply to join you in the UK as dependents if you have a Skilled Worker Visa.
7. Is there a cap on the number of skilled worker visas issued each year?
Unlike previous visa categories, the Skilled Worker Visa does not have an annual cap on the number of visas issued, making it more accessible to qualified applicants.
8. Can I switch to a skilled worker visa from another visa category within the UK?
In some cases, you may be eligible to switch to a skilled worker visa from another visa category while you are already in the UK. This depends on your current visa and individual circumstances.
9. Is there a cooling-off period for the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
No, there is no specific cooling-off period for the Skilled Worker Visa. This means that you can apply for a new Skilled Worker Visa immediately if you meet the requirements.
10. Can I apply for permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain) with a skilled worker visa?
Yes, after spending a certain amount of time in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa and meeting other eligibility criteria, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is a form of permanent residency.
