Skilled Worker VISA
UK Skilled Worker Visa
The UK Skilled Worker (previously T2 General Visa) allows skilled migrants (foreign nationals other than British and Irish citizens) with professional skills-sets to come to the UK and do eligible work with the Home Office-approved employer. To successfully qualify for the Skilled worker route, you should have a job offer in any field under the eligible occupation code list. Moreover, you should acquire the certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from UK based employer with a valid sponsor licence. You should also meet the minimum salary requirements of at least £38,700 per year.
4 April 2024: The minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per annum
Axis Solicitors your premier destination for all things related to skilled worker visas UK. We understand that obtaining a skilled worker visa can be daunting, which is why we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Our team of experienced immigration lawyers is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the skilled worker visa process. We are well-versed in all aspects of UK immigration law and are committed to helping you achieve your goals.
The skilled worker visa UK is a points-based system that allows skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to come to the UK to work. To be eligible for a skilled worker visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. You will also need to pass the UK Points-Based System (UK PBS) test, which assesses your qualifications, work experience, and English language skills.
One of the critical requirements of the skilled worker visa UK is that you have a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsor Licence. Your employer will need to sponsor you for the visa and provide you with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
In addition to these requirements, you will also need to pass the UK PBS test. The test assesses your qualifications, work experience, and English language skills. You will need to score enough points to qualify for the visa.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension and ILR
If you are an ‘experienced worker’, you can reside in the UK for up to five years. A stay of above five year period would require an extension, after which you can apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Our in-house Immigration experts honed with years of experience can help you in your journey to successfully apply for the Skilled Worker Route Visa. We are looking forward to assisting you. Call us now via 0800 0487 573 or feel free to drop us an email at contact@axis.lawyer.
What is the eligibility criteria for the UK Skilled Worker Route?
It is essential to keep in mind that you fulfil the minimum eligibility criteria per Home Office preferences.
Hence, you must qualify for the following conditions to be able to secure a work permit in the UK:
- You have received your job offer from the UK employer having a Sponsor Licence.
- You have the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by the approved sponsor/employer.
- You are certified with approved English language Proficiency.
- The job offer you received is from the eligible occupations list.
- You are granted or offered a minimum salary under the Skilled Worker visa from either of the following options i.e.
- £38,700 per annum, or
- The standard salary for the type of work you are currently doing or
- £10.10 per hour adjusted according to your occupation.
Our highly experienced UK Immigration Axis Solicitors are always here to help throughout the skilled worker visa application process. We will work with you to improve the merits of your application to make sure you receive a timely and favorable decision from the Home office.
Feel free to connect with us any time via 0800 0487 573 to discuss your case.
Job requirements under Skilled Worker Route
- You must have a UK job reference number as your occupation code. Your employer must provide you with this code if you have secured a job offer.
- Your job must be satisfying the Skilled Worker Visa requirements.
- Your UK based sponsor must be approved by the Home Office and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Your minimum salary should be at least £38,700 annually and it must accord to the ‘going rate’ for the nature of work you would be doing in the future.
Be sure that each occupation code will have a different annual going rate, which you and your employer can check online.
With this in mind, in certain occupations such as in Healthcare or academic sectors, the salary requirements will vary where the national pay scales regulate the going rate.
Cost to apply for the UK Skilled Worker Visa
Depending on your circumstances, the cost for applying through the Skilled Worker route varies between £615 – £1,423.
Additional charges to apply for UK skilled worker visa
– Healthcare surcharges—£624 per annum
– Additional living expenses of at least £1,270 to prove that you are financially stable to support yourself when you enter the UK for work
Skilled worker visa fee exemptions
An exemption applies to workers living in the UK for 12 months on a previous valid visa. Hence, the employer is covering the expenses for the first month of their recently offered job. Moreover, if you belong to the eligible EU/EEA countries, your application fee will be automatically reduced to £55. You may qualify to pay fewer application charges if your job is on the shortage occupation list.
Family member joining under Skilled Worker Route
If you wish your family members to join you as dependants, they can come with you to the UK if they are eligible.
However, only the following family members can accompany you:
- Your husband or wife, proposed civil partner or unmarried partner; you must submit the evidence of a ‘subsisting and genuine relation’ of living together for at least two years.
- Your child under 18 years of age, born in the UK.
- Your child above 18 if they are already in the UK on another visa, i.e. studying in a boarding school, college, or university, but must not be married or have any children to qualify the requirements.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that each family member must submit a separate visa application and pay total application charges to get their visas approved.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension
You can extend your stay for a maximum of 5 years at a time. There is no limit as to how many times a skilled worker visa extension can be applied. Be sure to do that before your current skilled worker visa expires.
You can only extend the visa if the following major requirements are met:
- You are working under the same sponsor/employer when the first time you were granted a Skilled Worker visa.
- You have the same occupation code as when you were permitted to enter the UK for work.
- You are still doing the same job as when you were under your initial visa approval.
our family members as dependants can also apply for the extension, but they must do so by submitting a separate application to stay longer in the UK with you.
Please bear in mind; you need to submit a new application to change your job/current occupation, even if your current visa hasn’t expired yet. You must receive a new CoS from a recent UK hiring employer.
Minimum salary pay scale with a Tier 2 Visa
If you have received CoS before 24th November 2016:
If you have already extended your visa before 24th May 2023, your minimum salary will be equivalent to the fixed lower rate, i.e. at least £20,800 per annum.
If your visa was approved and you received CoS on or before 24th November 2016:
If you’ve made the extension for a skilled worker visa before 1st December 2026, you will be required to satisfy the new salary requirements.
UK Skilled Worker Visa Help & Assistance
As with any UK immigration visa application, the UKVI rules and regulations are strictly regulated and often have strict eligibility criteria. If not fully satisfied per the Home office guidelines, visas may lead to dismissals. Our team is always here to devotedly help our clients in their hour of need. We have a track record of successful Skilled Worker Visa applications from the start of the application until the Home office makes the final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To be eligible for a skilled worker visa, you must have a job offer from a UK employer and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. You will also need to pass the UK Points-Based System (UK PBS) test, which assesses your qualifications, work experience, and English language skills.
A skilled worker visa is valid for up to five years
You can bring your family on a skilled worker visa. They will need to apply for a dependent visa.
Yes, you can apply for permanent residence after being on a skilled worker visa for five years.
Yes, you can switch to a skilled worker visa from another visa category as long as you meet the requirements for a skilled worker visa.
At Axis Solicitors, we are committed to helping you navigate the complex process of obtaining a skilled worker visa. Whether you have questions about the requirements, the application process, or any other aspect of the visa, our team of experienced immigration lawyers is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in obtaining a skilled worker visa UK.
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