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Skilled workers can have endless opportunities when it comes to working overseas. In some areas, your trade can be one that is in demand. Furthermore, this would require a work visa but most countries will design a work visa for a specific professional. However, it is important to understand how a visa works in different regions as well as the opportunities that it can give you.
In the UK specifically, a Skilled Worker Visa will provide an immigrant with the pathway to work for a specific employer. This visa is specifically aimed at attracting the most qualified individuals to the country and enticing those highly qualified individuals to relocate to the UK.
How do you become eligible for a Skilled Worker visa?
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you will require a few things to apply for it. The first of those would be to work for a UK employer which has been approved by the Home Office. Something else that you will require is the ‘Certificate of Sponsorship. This includes all of the information about your role in the UK. Other ways to qualify would include a job in eligible occupations and you have to be paid the minimum salary.
Something else that is very important when you apply for your Skilled Work visa is that you must be capable of reading and writing in English.
Other UK Work Visas
If you do not qualify for a standard Skilled Work visa, there are other visas that you may be able to apply for. This includes;
- Health and Care Worker Visa – This specific visa is designed for those who specialise in the healthcare industry. This includes those who work for the NHS overseas or in the adult social care sector.
- Graduate Visa – This is for students who have completed a degree and are looking to work in the UK for up to 2 years. Once that expires, you will then have to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, Tier 2 General work visa or Global Talent visa.
- Intra-company Transfer Visa – For people who will be immigrating to the UK due to their branch being relocated to the UK.
The above visas all offer different benefits and also have different requirements. Before applying for a visa, make sure you qualify for it first.
What Is The Point-Based Immigration System?
Since Brexit officially started in 2020, the UK introduced the point-based system, and the Skilled Worker visa has changed slightly. This is because those who are applying for a Skilled Worker visa must have a total of 70 points. To acquire these points, you will have to have the following.
Offer of a job by approved sponsor (Mandatory) – 20 points
Job at appropriate skill level (Mandatory) – 20 points
Speak English at required level (Mandatory) – 10 points
Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession – 0 points
Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession – 10 points
Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee – 20 points
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job – 10 points
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job – 20 points
What is the Visa Application Process?
Step one – Gather the required documents to apply for the work visa which is your CoS, proof that you can speak English and financial evidence of your job.
Step two – You are required to apply online on the official UK government website and you must ensure that all fields are filled in honestly and accurately to help speed up the process.
Step three – You will need to for the application fee which costs around £610 to £1,408, depending on the details of your case.
Step four – You will also need to attend a Biometric Appointment which is essentially gathering your fingerprints and photo evidence.
Step five – Wait for everything to be approved and you’ll eventually receive a notification from the UK government website.
Sponsorship and Job Offers
Receiving a job offer is essential for applying for a Skilled Worker visa. This is why you will need to receive a Certificate of Sponsorship is essential for getting the job. This specific certificate is to prove that you have received and accepted a job offer from your company. This certificate will confirm your role, salary and the duration of your employment.
You will need a valid sponsor license to receive your CoS which can also be included in your visa application.
Rights and Responsibilities
When you apply for your Skilled Worker visa, it is essential you understand the Rights and responsibilities.
Healthcare Surcharge and Public Funding
Once you hold the Skilled Worker visa, you are required to pay the IHS which is the Immigration Health Surcharge. This will give you access to the National Health Service in the UK. This amount will usually depend on the length of your visit however, this would cost around £624.
Something else that you must be aware of is that you don’t have access to most of the public funding. These public funds would include benefits and any housing assistance.
Family Members and Dependants
Once your Skilled Worker visa has been granted, your family can also be eligible but only those who are close such as your spouse/partner and children. Additionally, they will need to apply for a dependent visa.
Staying in the UK: Indefinite Leave to Remain
Once you have worked in the UK for a long period with your Skilled Worker visa, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. To apply for this, you must have reached certain salary requirements and a skilled job. Once you have been granted the ILR, this means you can settle permanently in the UK and access public funds going forward.
To Conclude
As you can see, the Skilled Work visa has many requirements but once you have this visa, you can then have this visa for up to 5 years before you will then need to apply for an ILR. If you don’t want to apply for an ILR, you can reapply for a Skilled Work visa.
