The Skilled Worker visa allows qualifying foreign nationals to come to the UK to work for an approved sponsor in an eligible role.
The Skilled Worker Visa enables qualified individuals to work in the UK for an approved sponsor in a suitable role. Our team provides comprehensive guidance to both sponsors and workers with job offers.
Replacing the Tier 2 (General) visa, the Skilled Worker Visa is the primary UK work visa for skilled international workers. Understanding the Skilled Worker visa eligibility and application requirements is crucial for employers seeking to hire skilled workers from overseas and for migrants inside the UK seeking a sponsored role. A denied application leads to the loss of both the application fee and the time invested in the application.
Following Brexit, the UK immigration system has undergone significant changes, offering various work visa options for different worker types across various roles and industries. It is critical to ensure the Skilled Worker visa is the best choice for your specific situation.
At Privity Partners, we have extensive experience in advising employers and workers on UK employment sponsorship and the Skilled Worker Visa application.
The Skilled Worker route permits employers to sponsor non-UK nationals for eligible, skilled roles in the UK.
Eligibility requires accumulating 70 points by meeting criteria like skill level, salary, English language proficiency, and having a qualifying job offer from a UK employer with a valid sponsorship license.
This visa also allows spouses, partners, and dependent children to join the main applicant in the UK as dependents.
Granted for up to five years, the Skilled Worker Visa can lead to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
The requirements for this visa are detailed in Appendix Skilled Worker.
Applicants must accrue a total of 70 points, which includes 50 mandatory points and 20 tradeable points based on Options A – F. Full 50 Mandatory points must be scored and one of the Options A – F must be satisfied to score 20 Tradeable points.
Mandatory points requirement | Points |
Sponsorship | 20 |
Job at an appropriate skill level | 20 |
English language skills at level B1 (intermediate) | 10 |
Appendix Skilled Worker sets out the threshold, including the availability of lower salary thresholds, as follows:
| Option | Description | Salary Requirements | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Salary only (no discounts) | The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:
| 20 |
| B | Relevant PhD (10% discount on general threshold and going rate) | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| C | Relevant PhD in a STEM subject (20% discount on general threshold and going rate) | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| D | Job in Appendix Immigration Salary List (20% discount on general threshold only) | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| E | New entrant (20% discount on general threshold and 30% discount on going rate) | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| F | Salary only (no discounts) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant’s salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| G | Relevant PhD (10% discount on general threshold and going rate) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
| 20 |
| H | Relevant PhD in a STEM subject (20% salary on general threshold and going rate) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
| 20 |
| I | Job in Appendix Immigration Salary List (20% discount on general threshold only) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds all of:
| 20 |
| J | New entrant (20% discount on general threshold and 30% discount on going rate) [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds all of the following:
| 20 |
| K | Eligible health or education occupation code [Specified Health and Care occupations and transitional provision] | The applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:
| 20 |
20 mandatory points relate to employment sponsorship, placing requirements on both the worker and their employer (the sponsor). The sponsor must hold a valid A-rated sponsorship license and have paid the Immigration Skills Charge. The Home Office assesses the genuineness of the vacancy and employment.
The worker must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the specific role.
Before applying, the UK sponsor must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship to confirm eligibility. There are two types: defined (for out-of-country applicants) and undefined (for in-country applicants).
Sponsors apply for a defined CoS, providing job and salary details to the Home Office. Undefined CoS are allocated annually to sponsors based on factors like workforce size and business nature. Additional undefined CoS can be requested during the year.
Eligible roles must be at RQF level 3 or above. The Home Office uses Standard Occupation Codes (SOC) to assess roles.
Employers must identify the relevant SOC code, ensuring it matches the job description and is included in the list of eligible jobs.
The general minimum salary threshold is £41,700 per year or the role’s ‘going rate.’ Minimum pay must be at least £12.82 per hour, where applicable.
Lower salaries may still qualify if certain conditions are met, like being in a shortage occupation or having a relevant STEM PhD.
Applicants need a minimum B1 level English proficiency in all four components of speaking, listening, reading and writing, proven through qualifications or an approved test, unless exempt.
Applicants must show at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days. Sponsors can certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Some roles may require a criminal records certificate.
Healthcare professionals can consider the Health and Care Worker visa, offering benefits like lower fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge.
Apply online up to 3 months before the UK employment start date. The process involves submitting an application form, attending a visa application centre, and providing various supporting documents.
Required documents include the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, sponsor’s details, job title, annual salary, job occupation code, current and previous passports, and additional documents based on specific circumstances.
Application fees vary based on the job’s nature and whether it’s on the shortage occupation list. Processing times are generally up to 8 weeks within the UK or up to 3 weeks outside the UK.
The visa can usually granted for up to a maximum of 5 years at a time, extendable as long as eligibility criteria are met. An eligible applicant may apply for settlement after 5 years on the Skilled Worker route, if supported by a relevant employer.
A new period of leave must be applied for if the visa holder changes sponsors, jobs or if there are significant changes within the applicant’s current job such as change of occupation codes and removal from the shortage occupation list.
Employers need a sponsorship licence to hire non-UK residents under this system. They must demonstrate they can offer genuine employment that meets the skills threshold and pay requirements.
It’s possible to switch to this visa from within the UK, subject to meeting eligibility requirements.
Visa holders can take additional work under certain conditions related to additional and supplementary employment.
Our immigration solicitors are experienced in helping individuals worldwide secure Skilled Worker visas. We offer advice on applying, assistance with visa applications, and legal representation for challenging refusals. Our team is accessible, proactive, and committed to providing clear, trustworthy immigration advice as part of our professional service.
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