The primary UK immigration process for skilled workers seeking employment in the country is the Skilled Worker visa. Candidates must have a job offer from a UK company with a valid skilled worker sponsorship licence in order to submit an application for this visa. If you’re not in the UK, you should hear back about your application for a visa within three months of the start of your employment. In this write-up, we will discuss the eligibility criteria, documents required and how to apply for a skilled worker visa uk.
Eligibility Criteria for skilled worker visa uk
1. Job Offer from Approved Sponsor
The first requirement is that the applicant must have a valid job offer from an approved UK employer sponsor. The employer must be approved by the UK Home Office and hold a valid Skilled Worker sponsor license. The job offer must also be for an eligible skilled occupation that is on the Home Office’s Skilled Occupations List.
2. Skill Level of the Job
The job offer must be for a skilled role that is classified as being at RQF level 3 or above (A-Level or equivalent and higher). This includes professions such as engineers, teachers, IT technicians, accountants, etc. Lower-skilled jobs generally do not qualify.
3. Minimum Salary Requirement
There are two minimum salary thresholds that applicants must meet to apply for skilled worker visa uk:
- New Entrants: If the applicant is considered a “new entrant” to the labor market, the minimum salary is £20,480 per year.
- Experienced Workers: For applicants with more experience, the minimum salary is the higher of £25,600 per year OR the “going rate” for that occupation, as set by the Home Office.
4. English Language Requirement
Applicants must prove they have competency in the English language, typically by passing a secure English language test with an approved provider and achieving at least CEFR level B1 (comparable to IELTS 4.0).
5. Maintenance Funds
Applicants must show they have enough personal savings to support themselves in the UK, typically at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days prior to the application.
6. Criminal Record Check
Applicants are required to provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Certain criminal convictions can lead to the application being refused.
7. Dependents
The skilled worker visa allows the main applicant to bring eligible dependents such as a spouse/partner and children under 18. Dependents must also meet certain criteria.
Documents Required
Now that you know the eligibility criteria for skilled worker visa uk, let’s check out the documents required.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) reference number provided by your employer.
- Proof of English language competency. Your ability in English can be demonstrated by completing the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a vendor that has been approved, Possessing an English GCSE, A level, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher, or Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5.
- An academic degree from an English-taught institution If you completed your studies overseas, you must apply to Ecctis (previously UK NARIC) to have your degree recognized as the equivalent of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate from the UK.
- A current passport or equivalent that shows your identity and nationality.
- Your work title and annual pay.
- The job’s occupation code.
- Name and sponsor license number of your employer. This information will be on your sponsorship certificate.
- Your tuberculosis test results, in case your country is on the list. If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months, you must get a tuberculosis test done.
- A current ATAS accreditation if your work is related to hD-level or higher sensitive subject research.
- Your PhD certificate from the UK, or, if your degree is from outside the UK, your Ecctis reference number. The application must be made via Ecctis.
How to Apply for skilled worker visa uk?
- Get CoS from Employer: In order for you to apply for the skilled worker visa, your employer must provide you with the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Submit Online Application: You need to fill out an online application to obtain a visa for skilled workers. You must visit the UK government’s website to check out the format of online application. Make sure you carefully read through each stage of the application. The required information and response must be given in English. When you first start applying, you have to select where you want to live.
- Upload necessary Documents: You have to upload the required documents while submitting your online application. After filling out the online application, you need to attach the necessary files in order to receive a skilled worker visa. The documents can be scanned or taken a picture of. Photos uploaded must be in one of the following file types: PNG, JPG, or JPEG. Scanned documents must be uploaded in one of the following file types: PDF, PNG, JPG, or JPEG.
- Pay Fee Online: You also need to pay the fee for the skilled worker visa uk online submitting your online application. If you want to stay for less than three years under the skilled worker visa uk, the cost is £625 per applicant. But in case you want to stay more than three years, the cost is £1,235.
- Pay Healthcare surcharge: The healthcare charge must be paid at the time of your appointment at the visa application facility or when you apply online. You need to pay £624 per year for the healthcare surcharge.
- Make an appointment: You can schedule an appointment at the closest visa application location and attend that. The centres are listed on Gov.uk website You have to provide your biometrics at the appointment.
Conclusion
This shall clear all your doubts on the skilled worker visa uk if you want to apply for it. You must fulfil all the eligibility criterias and provide the necessary documents in order to successfully get the visa. That is where reputed companies like Visasimple can help you. If you apply through them, chances are very high that you will get your visa within a quick time