Are you interested in residing in and conducting business in one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse nations? Experience a vibrant culture, enjoy a high standard of living, and progress professionally in the United Kingdom, which is an excellent location for skilled workers. But how exactly does one achieve this aspiration? The solution is the British Skilled Worker Visa.
A new form of work visa, the UK Skilled Worker Visa, permits employment in the United Kingdom on behalf of an authorized employer. It has superseded the more stringent and convoluted Tier 2 (General) work visa that had previously preceded it. Several modifications to the new visa make entry into the United Kingdom simpler and more accessible for skilled workers.
Check Also: Switzerland Work Visa – How to Obtain
Understanding the Basics: Visa Type and Duration
The best thing about the UK Skilled Worker Visa is that it allows you to work in the United Kingdom for an authorized employer. Your maximum tenure is five years. Job applicants whose positions are in high demand and appear on the “shortage occupation” list may be eligible for reduced application fees. This visa is specifically tailored for non-British nationals.
Breaking Down the Costs
Applying from outside the United Kingdom? The following information is essential with regard to the costs:
- Up to 3 years: £719 per person
- More than 3 years: £1,423 per person
Nonetheless, if your profession is on the list of shortage occupations:
- Up to 3 years: £479 per person
- More than 3 years: £943 per person
Eligibility Matters: Occupations and Employers
Do you qualify for the United Kingdom Skilled Worker Visa? Identifying your occupation code, which is typically included in the job offer letter from your UK employer, is the initial step. The list of eligible professions is available here.
It is also essential to be employed by an authorized UK employer. These patrons facilitate the visa application process, providing direction and assistance throughout.
Ensuring Financial Compatibility
Presently, the minimum salary prerequisites are established at:
- £26,200 per year
- £10.75 per hour
Remember that the annual market rate varies by occupation code. Utilizing the going rate table to determine the going rate for a given task is recommended.
Benefits of UK Skilled Worker Visa
- Employment Prospects: The Expert Worker Visa grants individuals the ability to engage in expert employment within the United Kingdom, thereby creating avenues for professional advancement and career progression.
- Long-Term Stay: Applicants who are granted entry may remain in the United Kingdom for a minimum of five years, with the possibility of an additional five years being granted. Individuals who have resided in the United Kingdom continuously for a specified period of time may qualify to petition for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which ultimately results in permanent residency.
- Family Members: Skilled laborers are permitted to bring their spouses, civil partners, and children under the age of eighteen with them to the United Kingdom. Guests’ relatives are generally permitted to work or attend classes while they are away.
- Flexibility: The Skilled Worker Visa is characterized by its flexibility, as it permits individuals to switch employers under specific circumstances without submitting a fresh visa application. A change in employment, nevertheless, entails distinct procedures and prerequisites.
- Access to Public Services: Visa holders are granted access to the National Health Service (NHS) and additional public facilities within the United Kingdom.
- Salary Thresholds: Specific salary thresholds apply to the UK Skilled Worker Visa; however, they are frequently competitive and commensurate with the qualifications and skills required for the position. Satisfying the salary prerequisites enhances the likelihood of an approved visa application.
- No Labor Market Test: The Skilled Worker Visa, in contrast to certain preceding visa categories, does not necessitate the completion of a labor market test for permanent residents. This obviates the need for employers to provide evidence that there is an absence of qualified local candidates for the position.
- Attracting Global Talent: The visa system enables UK employers to recruit educated workers from around the world, thereby promoting workplace diversity and innovation, with the intention of attracting global talent.
- English Language Requirement: Although English language proficiency is generally sufficient, proficient individuals tend to fulfill this requirement more readily due to their occupation-specific linguistic capabilities.
- Pathway to Settlement: After a specified period, successful holders of Skilled Worker Visas may be eligible to petition for settlement in the United Kingdom (Indefinite Leave to Remain), a process that can ultimately culminate in the acquisition of British citizenship.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Step-by-Step Application Process
- Conduct research and select an occupation. To ascertain professions that are in high demand, commence by perusing the shortage occupation list.
- Match with Eligibility: Consult the eligible occupation list to ensure that the selected profession qualifies for the UK Skilled Worker Visa.
- Find a job offer from an authorized employer in the United Kingdom that is in your desired field. You will use the list of approved companies as your compass.
- Verify Your Financials: Verify that your salary satisfies the specified threshold by consulting the going rates table.
- The application period is here open online. Visa decision processing typically takes three weeks for applicants located outside the United Kingdom.
What You Can and Cannot Do
The UK Skilled Worker Visa enables the following:
- Employ an eligible position
- Examine the
- Include offspring and a partner as dependents.
- Accept additional labor when circumstances call for it.
- Perform volunteer tasks.
- Travel abroad and then return to the United Kingdom.
- Obtain permanent settlement in the United Kingdom after five years.
However, certain constraints apply:
- It is not possible to register for the majority of benefits or the state pension.
- When you change employers or employment, you must also update your visa.
Conclusion
The UK Skilled Worker Visa grants access to an extensive array of prospects. By adhering to these measures, one can establish a path towards employment and success in the United Kingdom. Financial compatibility, confirmation of a job offer, and eligibility are the fundamental requirements that grant access to this exhilarating endeavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
Is a UK skilled worker visa easy?
Some UK work visas are more difficult to obtain than others, with different route-specific requirements. In many cases, the applicant will need to have the offer of a job meeting minimum skill and salary requirements from a licensed sponsor.
-
Is IELTS enough for a UK skilled worker visa?
You will have to obtain level B1 on the CEFR scale. The CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, an international standard for describing language ability. This is equivalent to an IELTS overall score of 4.0.
-
What are the new rules for a skilled worker visa in the UK?
They will need to meet the increased salary threshold of £38,700. Those already in the Skilled Worker route before the Immigration Rules changes should be exempt from the new median salary levels when they change sponsor, extend, or settle, provided they aren’t moving to different occupations.
