The Skilled Worker Visa is a visa category within the UK's Points-Based System that allows skilled workers to take up employment in the country. It replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) Work Visa. This visa is designed for individuals who have specific roles in leading sectors and industries and provides them with an opportunity to live and work in the UK.
Successful applicants can stay in the UK for the period of employment mentioned on their Certificate of Sponsorship, up to a maximum of 5 years, plus any time before the start date on the certificate and 14 days after the end date. This visa also enables the holder to work in UK waters.
Overall, the Skilled Worker Visa is a great option for individuals who are looking to work in the UK and potentially settle there in the long term.
you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK, an individual must have an offer of employment for what is considered a skilled job. To check if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. Once you know your occupation code, take a look at the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included.
To apply for this visa, an individual must be employed by a UK employer who has a valid Sponsor Licence and is willing to sponsor them. If the employer does not yet have a Sponsor Licence, they can apply for one. Once the employer has a Sponsor Licence, they can check if the job meets the eligibility requirements and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the individual. The individual must submit their Skilled Worker Visa application within 3 months of receiving this certificate.
For most applicants, your salary needs to exceed £26,200 per year, £10.75 per hour and the going rate for your job's occupation code. You can check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.
In some circumstances, you can be paid less but still be eligible. Your salary can be between 70% to 90% of the going rate depending on your situation, but it must be at least £20,960 a year and 10.75 an hour if you are one of the following:
you’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
you have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
To apply, you also need to prove that you can support yourself and any dependents financially while living in the UK. This requirement is not needed if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, or if your employer agreed to certify maintenance during the first month.
You need to have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days before you apply. If you have any dependents applying with you, you will need to show additional funds for each:
You can:
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
take on additional work in certain circumstances
You cannot:
You will receive a full list once your application is successful.
With many years of experience, our team has helped numerous applicants successfully obtain their visas. Our specialists can provide you with the guidance and support you need to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
Skilled Worker visa applications can be complicated, and having professional advice can help ensure the success of your application. To get started, contact us to book a consultation on To get started, contact us to book a consultation on +44 20 4511 5237, email: info@lotusimmigration.com or use the contact form below.
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