The Skilled Worker visa is a type of work visa in the UK that allows foreign nationals to come and work for an eligible employer (also known as a sponsor).
This visa is a “general” work visa that covers a wide range of professions and job types. If your occupation is not covered by one of the UK’s other specialist work visas, it is likely it will be covered by the Skilled Worker visa.
Skilled Worker visa holders are required to meet a range of eligibility criteria concerning their income, English language skills and occupation.
Workers on this visa can stay up to 5 years in the UK, after which they can choose to extend it or apply for Indefinite leave to remain, if eligible.
A skilled worker in the UK is classed as anyone who works in an eligible occupation code at RQF level 3 or higher.
This is the equivalent of a UK A-level school qualification.
The job must also have a standard occupation code (SOC) that is on the list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker visa.
Skilled Worker Visa Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you should receive a job offer from a UK employer which must meet all the following requirements:
Also, you must be able to prove that you are being sponsored by the employer to undertake a vacancy that is genuine. If the Home Office believes the job is only created so you can apply for the Skilled Worker visa or it is a sham, your application will be refused.
You must also fulfil the additional criteria listed below:
Need support with your visa application call us on 051-8485550 or enquire online to book your advice session with one of Ascent Immigration lawyers.
Skilled Worker visa applicants must provide a range of supporting documents alongside their application to demonstrate their eligibility.
These include the following:
You may also have to provide the following documents, based on your circumstances:
To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must demonstrate your English proficiency. This must be at least at level B1 (intermediate). To satisfy this requirement, you can either:
The general salary threshold under the Skilled Worker Visa route is £38,700 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.
Workers falling into specific categories might be paid less than the above amount, provided that they score additional “tradable point” for other attributes. All of these individual categories are worth 20 tradeable points.
Below is a table outlining all of the situations in which Skilled Worker applicants may be paid less than the normal threshold:
| Type of Exception | Alternative Minimum Salary Threshold (the salary must equal or exceed all of the options for each category) |
|---|---|
| A PhD in a subject relevant to the role |
1. £34,830 per year 2. 90% of the going rate for the occupation code 3. £15.88 per hour |
| A PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the role |
1. £30,960 per year 2. 80% of the going rate for the occupation code 3. £15.88 per hour |
| A job offer in a role from the immigration salary list |
1. £30,960 per year (general threshold) 2. The going rate for the occupation code 3. £15.88 per hour |
| Applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career |
1. £30,960 per year 2. 70% of the going rate 3. £15.88 per hour |
As well as meeting the minimum salary threshold, you will also need to meet other financial requirements. You must have cash funds of at least £1,270 available to sustain yourself while in the UK. This money must be held in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days prior to your application.
The Skilled Worker visa cost can range from £719 to £1,639, depending on your circumstances.
When applying for your visa, you also need to take the following expenses into account:
Applying from outside the UK:
Applying from within the UK (switching, updating, or extending):
Roles that are on the immigration salary list:
The application process for a Skilled Worker visa is done online.
After filling out your application, you must prove your identity. You can either provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a visa application center or scan your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
You will also have to pay the application fees and submit the documents.
The above process can only be taken if you are outside the UK. If you are within the UK, you will have to apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from the visa you currently use to stay in the UK. Note that if you are on any of the visas below, you cannot switch:
If you are on any of the above visas, you will have to leave the UK first and apply from outside the UK.
You can submit your UK visa application up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date can be found in your certificate of sponsorship.
Depending on your circumstances, the Home Office may need extra time to review your documents and prove your identity. For this reason, you should always allow extra time and submit your application in time.
It usually takes about 3 weeks to receive a decision from the Home Office if you are outside the UK. If you are already in the UK, you may need to wait up to 8 weeks.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Ascent Immigration before making any decisions based on the content provided.
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The Skilled Worker visa is a type of work visa that allows foreign nationals to work for an eligible employer (sponsor) in the UK. It covers a wide range of occupations—if your job isn’t covered by a specialist visa, it will likely fall under this category. The visa is typically granted for up to 5 years, with options to extend or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet the eligibility criteria.
A skilled worker is defined as anyone working in an eligible occupation at RQF level 3 or above (roughly equivalent to a UK A-level). In addition, the job must have a standard occupation code (SOC) listed among the eligible occupations for the visa. Essentially, you must hold qualifications and experience that demonstrate you have the skills needed for the role.
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you must:
When applying, you will need to provide:
Application fees range from approximately £719 to £1,639, depending on your circumstances and whether you apply from outside or within the UK. You will also need to pay an annual healthcare surcharge and demonstrate that you have the necessary funds to support yourself upon arrival.
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