The Ultimate Guide to Getting a UK Skilled Worker Visa
Whether you are currently based in the UK or not, you need to have a valid work visa or other types of permit, such as indefinite leave to remain, to work in the UK. There are several types of work visas, which include a Skilled Worker visa (formerly known as Tier 2 visa), Health and Care Worker visa, and Senior or Specialist Worker visa, that allow you to work in the UK for a long time, and eventually, you will be able to settle in the UK and become a British citizen. If you only want to work in the UK for a short time, there are some other visa options, such as Graduate Route Visa, High Potential Individual Visa or Global Talent Visa.
For those who want to move to the UK and pursue a career in sectors other than health and care, the Skilled Worker visa or the Senior or Specialist Worker visa may be an option.
What is a Skilled Worker Visa?
A skilled worker visa, also known as a Tier 2 (General) visa, is a type of UK visa designed for non-UK nationals who have been offered a skilled job in the UK by a licensed employer. This visa allows individuals to live and work in the UK temporarily, typically for up to 5 years, with the option to extend it further. After being on this visa for 5 years, you can also settle in the UK permanently.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa, you need to meet the following conditions:
1. You have to get a formal job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office and sign an employment contract with the employer. To satisfy this first condition, you need to apply for jobs. You will not receive a job offer without applying for jobs. All companies on UK Visa Jobs are employers that have been approved by the Home Office, so all you have to do is find a suitable job and submit your application.
2. You have to have a 'certificate of sponsorship' (COS) from your employer. A 'certificate of sponsorship' (COS) is often issued once the employer has offered you the job you applied for and confirmed that they would sponsor your work visa. The COS will include information about the role you have been offered in the UK. The COS is a digital record, not a physical document.
3. The job you are offered must be on the list of eligible occupations. Luckily, we have prefiltered this for you and all jobs listed on UK Visa Jobs meet the eligible occupation requirement.
4. You need to be paid a minimum salary. However, how much you need to be paid depends on the type of work you do. Effective from 4th April 2024, individuals applying for a Skilled Worker visa must meet a minimum salary requirement of £38,700 annually, which was £26,200 prior to this date. In some circumstances, you can be paid less than £38,700 per year to be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa, which is explained below.
5. Unless you are from an English-speaking country, you also need to meet the minimum English language requirement. If you have a degree in the UK, you may not need to prove your level of English too. In other cases, You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. Level B1 is normally equivalent to 5.5 in IELTS, which means you need to score 5.5 in each IETLS component to satisfy the English language requirement.
You can use the list above to see whether you can get a UK Skilled Worker visa. If you do not meet certain requirements, you can work on meeting them too. For example, if you do not have a job offer, you should apply for jobs to get a job offer. All jobs on the UK Visa Jobs website meet the government's eligibility criteria. When you have received an interview invitation, you can start preparing for interviews using the guidance on your account page.
When Can You Be Paid Less?
There are a few ways you might still qualify for a Skilled Worker visa even if your salary is below the standard £38,700 or your job's "going rate." Below are some of the options.
Immigration Salary List (ISL): This list includes specific skilled jobs with lower salary requirements. You'll still need to be paid at least £30,960, but the "going rate" for your job might be lower. There's also a lower visa application fee for jobs on this list.
New Entrants (Under 26, Graduates, Professionals in Training): If you're under 26, a recent graduate, studying for a recognised UK qualification, or working towards professional qualifications, you can qualify with a salary of 70% of the going rate, as long as it's at least £30,960. This applies for up to 4 years total in the UK, including any time on a Graduate visa. This means that most graduate jobs now need to pay you at least £30,960 in order to be able to sponsor you.
PhD Qualifications: Depending on your field, you might qualify for a lower salary based on your PhD. For STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) qualifications, you can earn 80% of the going rate (minimum £30,960). For non-STEM PhDs, it's 90% of the going rate (minimum £34,830). Both require a UK PhD or an equivalent overseas qualification verified by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) and proof that your qualification is relevant to the job.
Postdoctoral Positions: If you have a postdoctoral research role in science or higher education, you can qualify with a 70% salary (certain occupation codes apply). This is also limited to a 4-year total stay in the UK, including any time on a Graduate visa.
Once You Meet the Requirements
Once you meet the requirements mentioned above, you can start applying for the Skilled Worker visa. In some cases, your employer will assist you in applying for the visa by submitting the application on your behalf. In order to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa, you can take the following steps:
Step 1. Complete the Online Application Form: Apply online through the UK government's visa application website. You'll need to provide personal details, information from your CoS, and details about your employment.
Step 2. Biometric Appointment: After completing the online application, you'll need to schedule an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs).
Step 3: Provide Documents: Gather and submit the required documents, including your passport, CoS, proof of English language proficiency, evidence of funds, and any other supporting documents.
Step 4: Pay the Fees: Pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge (Immigration Health Surcharge), if applicable. The amount depends on your circumstances and the length of your visa. In some cases, your employer will cover these fees for you.
Step 5: Attend an Interview (if required): In some cases, you may be required to attend an interview as part of the application process.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision: Once you've submitted your application and biometric information, you'll need to wait for a decision. Processing times vary depending on your location, but you can check the current processing times on the UK government's website.
Step 7: Collect Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP): If your visa application is successful, you'll be issued a vignette (sticker) in your passport, which allows you to enter the UK. You must collect your BRP within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
Step 8: Comply with Visa Conditions: Once in the UK, you must comply with the conditions of your visa, including working for your sponsor employer in the specified role and not engaging in prohibited activities. There are some other things you may need to consider too. This article provides some further details.
In summary, there is no easy way to get a work visa. Whether you apply for a healthcare or IT job, you need to go through a formal application process. If the job does not require any documents or you do not have to attend an interview, it may be a scam. You need to be very careful.
When applying for jobs in the UK, it is very important to be vigilant. Scammers use fake employment letters to deceive job seekers and extract money from them. Legitimate employers do not recruit people through Facebook or WhatsApp groups and will never ask you to pay for an employment letter, a COS letter, or an employment contract.
