ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UK SKILLED WORKER VISA REQUIREMENTS
Without a doubt, there are numerous job opportunities for foreign workers in the United Kingdom. The skilled worker visa in the United Kingdom allows you to stay for up to five years.
Furthermore, foreign workers with skilled worker visas may extend their validity or apply for permanent residence in the UK. Most importantly, Tier-2 General Work Visas have been replaced by Skilled Worker Visas in the United Kingdom (UK SW visa).
As a result, foreign workers from any country can obtain an SW visa. They must, however, have job offers from approved UK employers and the job must be on an eligible occupation list.
Furthermore, if you work in healthcare or education and your profession is on the UK shortage occupation list, you may be eligible for additional benefits.
Advantages
The United Kingdom offers 27 different types of employment visas, some of which are long-term and the rest of which are short-term. As a result of its core benefits, the UK skilled work visa is one of the most popular categories:
- SW visas can be extended multiple times.
- Stay in England for a maximum of five years, with or without family.
- Bring your English partner and dependents.
- The spouse of a visa holder is permitted to work.
- After five years, you can apply for British permanent residency (PR).
- The SW visa allows you to work, live, and study in the United Kingdom.
- SW visa holders are permitted to travel outside the UK and return.
- Visa fees for healthcare and education workers and their families are reduced.
Selection Criteria
Meet the eligibility criteria for the skilled worker visa in the United Kingdom, for example:
- Have a sponsored Job Offer and a minimum of 70 points in the points-based system.
- The UK government must approve your British employer.
- You must obtain a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer.
- An offered job must be on a list of eligible occupations in the United Kingdom.
- To demonstrate your English proficiency, you must have at least level B1.
- Bachelor’s degree (A-level/RQF level 3) is required.
- The minimum salary in the UK should be £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour, depending on the job.
Qualifying Points System
The UK has one of the most straightforward point systems for skilled workers. To be eligible for the UK skilled worker visa, you must have at least 70 qualifying points.
Eligible Occupations
The UK Skilled Worker Visa is only available to those whose jobs are on the list of eligible occupations. Furthermore, each profession has a four-digit code. As a result, if you are applying for an SW visa, make sure your job is eligible and on the official list.
In Demand Occupations
Many occupations are in high demand in the United Kingdom. As a result, the UK government publishes a list of skills that are in short supply in the country. If your profession is also on the skills shortage list, your chances of obtaining a UK skilled worker visa may be improved. If your job is listed as a shortage occupation in the UK, your visa application fee will be reduced.
How To Find The UK Employers Who Sponsor Jobs?
Using three different online platforms, you can easily learn about British/Scottish employers. If the employer is willing to sponsor foreign workers, you may apply for a vacant position.
As an example:
Online Job Search Resources
International Job Recruitment Agencies In UK Scotland
Visa Application Fee
The cost of a UK skilled worker visa varies depending on the candidate and his or her family circumstances, for example:
Overseas applicant
The application fee for a three-year visa is £610 per person, and the fee for more than three years is £1,220.
Inside the United Kingdom
If the applicant is already in the United Kingdom, the visa application fee ranges from £704 to £1,408 per person. Above all, if the job role of the applicant is on the shortage occupation list, the fee for each candidate ranges from £464 (up to 3 years) to £928. (Over 3 years). The UK skilled worker visa fee structure is the same whether the applicant is from abroad or from within England.
Cost of SW Visa in the UK?
The total cost of the UK skilled worker visa may also vary depending on the applicant’s situation. However, the cost for a single applicant is:
- The healthcare surcharge is £624 per person per year.
- Proof of funds must be at least £1,270 in the applicant’s bank account.
- Candidates’ families must also provide proof of funds to support themselves in England, such as:
- £285 for the applicant’s spouse
- A child costs £315 if there is only one, and each child costs £200.
How Can A Foreigner Apply For A UK Skilled Worker Visa?
All applicants for a skilled worker visa in the United Kingdom must apply online. Furthermore, a candidate may include his or her spouse and children in the application to bring them to the UK.
Processing Time
An applicant who applies for a UK skilled worker visa online will receive a visa decision within three weeks (if overseas). In contrast, if you apply from within the United Kingdom, it may take up to eight weeks for the UK authorities to decide on your visa application.
Can I Apply For A UK Work Visa Without A Job Offer?
A sponsored job offer is usually required to apply for a UK work visa. If you have completed an undergraduate degree or higher in England, you do not need a job offer for the Graduate route. You can work flexibly in the UK or switch jobs via the Graduate route.
Is IELTS Required For A UK Work Visa?
The IELTS exam is not a requirement for applying for a UK work visa. To work in England, however, you must demonstrate your English language skills. For example, you can satisfy the English requirement for the visa by submitting IELTS for UKVI (General) with a 4-band score or SELT (Secure English Language Test).
FAQs
How much money is needed for a work visa in the United Kingdom?
The amount of money required for an English work visa varies depending on the category. In general, the minimum application fee for a skilled worker visa (up to three years) in the UK is £610, with a healthcare surcharge of £624 for a single applicant. Following that, the applicants must demonstrate that they have £1,270 in their account.
What kind of visa is required to work in the United Kingdom?
If you want to work in England, you must first obtain a working visa. If you are interested in a high-demand occupation, you can apply for a UK skilled worker visa. The United Kingdom has nearly 27 different types of work visas.
How do you apply for a tier 2 visa in the United Kingdom?
First, the tier 2 general visa in the United Kingdom is no longer available due to the replacement of a new skilled worker. Second, you can apply for a skilled worker visa (tier 2) in England through the UK immigration portal.
What is a skilled visa in the United Kingdom?
A skilled visa allows applicants to live and work in England for three to five years. In addition, skilled worker visa holders in the UK and their families can become British permanent residents.
What are the minimum salary requirements for Tier 2 visas in England?
Since the tier 2 visa category was replaced by the UK skilled worker visa, the minimum annual salary has been set at £25,600. However, it is dependent on your occupation and the job you will be doing in England.
Conclusion
Since the improvement in UK immigration, the system has become more flexible, encouraging migrants to consider the United Kingdom as a more appealing European destination. As a result, the UK skilled worker visa category has made life easier for both British employers and foreign workers.
