The United Kingdom is a popular destination for skilled workers from around the world. To attract and retain talent, the UK has a visa category specifically designed for skilled workers. This visa is known as the Skilled Worker Visa, and it allows skilled workers to live and work in the UK for up to five years. In this article, we will discuss the skilled worker visa uk, its eligibility requirements, application process, and other important details.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the skilled worker visa uk, applicants must meet certain criteria. Here are the requirements:
Job Offer: Applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer that holds a valid sponsor license. The job offer must be for a skilled job that meets the minimum skill level requirements.
Minimum Salary: The minimum salary for a skilled worker visa uk is £25,600 per year. However, some jobs have a different minimum salary requirement, and there are some exemptions to the minimum salary requirement.
English Language: Applicants must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English to an appropriate level. They can prove their English language proficiency by passing an approved English language test or by having an academic qualification study in English.
Maintenance: Applicants must show that they have enough money to support themselves without relying on public funds. They can do this by providing bank statements or other financial evidence.
Application Process
The application process for the skilled worker visa uk is straightforward. Applicants must follow these steps:
Find a Job: Applicants must first find a job in the UK that meets the eligibility requirements. The employer must have a valid sponsor license.
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship: The employer must provide the applicant with a Certificate of Sponsorship. This certificate contains information about the job, the employer, and the applicant.
Apply for the Visa: Once the applicant has the Certificate of Sponsorship, they can apply for the skilled worker visa uk online. They will need to provide personal information, biometric data, and other supporting documents.
Pay the Application Fee: The application fee for a Skilled Worker Visa is £610. In addition, applicants may need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £624 per year.
Attend a Biometric Appointment: Applicants must attend a biometric appointment at a visa application center. At this appointment, their fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
Wait for a Decision: The processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa is usually three weeks. However, the processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications.
Collect the Visa: If the application is successful, the applicant will receive a visa vignette in their passport. They must then collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
Other Important Details
Switching Jobs: If an applicant has a skilled worker visa uk and they want to switch jobs, they will need to apply for a new visa. The new job must meet the eligibility requirements.
Family Members: Skilled Worker Visa holders can bring their family members to the UK. Family members include spouses or partners, children under 18, and adult dependent relatives.
Indefinite Leave to Remain: Skilled Worker Visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of living and working in the UK. ILR allows individuals to live and work in the UK permanently.
Tier 2 General Visa: The skilled worker visa uk replaced the Tier 2 General Visa in December 2020. If an applicant already holds a Tier 2 General Visa, they can continue to use it until it expires.
