The Skilled Worker visa is a key route for professionals looking to work and build a future in the UK. Designed to attract skilled talent, it allows individuals in eligible job roles to live, work, and contribute to industries that are integral to the UK economy.
At The Nathanson Partnership, we provide expert immigration advice and comprehensive support to ensure your Skilled Worker visa application process is efficient, accurate, and stress-free.
Why Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa?
The UK’s Skilled Worker visa enables qualified professionals to live and work in the UK for up to five years, with the possibility of obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for permanent residency.
Visa holders can bring their partner and dependent children, ensuring family unity while accessing public services like the National Health Service and state education. The UK’s diverse economy offers extensive employment opportunities across various industries, allowing professionals to advance their careers and gain valuable international experience. Additionally, employment laws ensure competitive salaries and workplace benefits, enhancing the quality of life for skilled workers and their families.
Why Choose The Nathanson Partnership?
Trying to navigate the Skilled Worker visa process can be challenging due to the complexities of UK immigration law. Our team offers tailored advice and professional guidance to make your journey as smooth as possible.
We provide:
- Up-to-date advice from Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) accredited professionals.
- Bespoke guidance based on your unique circumstances and career goals.
- A complete service, from eligibility assessments to application submission.
- A proven track record of successful Skilled Worker visa applications.
If you need assistance with your Skilled Worker visa application, our team of specialists are keen to help you. Please contact us today on 020 3476 9523 or email us at [email protected]
Who Qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa?
To apply for a Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to meet several key requirements to ensure your role and employment meet UK immigration standards.
Qualified Role
The job you’re applying for must be eligible under the Skilled Worker visa criteria. You’ll need to identify your occupation code, which defines whether your job qualifies. Your employer can provide this code, or you can use tools like the CASCOT occupation coding system. Ensure the job description closely matches your responsibilities, as similar titles can have different outcomes (e.g., chefs qualify, but cooks do not).
How to Verify Your Job’s Eligibility
- Locate Your Occupation Code: If you’re unsure of your code, request it from your employer or search for it using the CASCOT tool.
- Confirm Qualification: Compare your code against the government’s list of eligible roles for the Skilled Worker visa. Ensure the job details match what you’ll be doing, as small differences can impact eligibility.
Approved Employer
You must have a formal job offer from a UK employer licensed by the Home Office to sponsor Skilled Worker visas. If you are unsure whether a company is an approved licensed sponsor, we will explain further down which companies can sponsor Skilled Worker visa holders.
Minimum Salary Thresholds
The salary offered to you must meet the minimum pay standards, which are calculated based on the following: £38,700 per year, or the specific ‘going rate’ for your occupation.
Your job must pay whichever is the higher of these amounts. Each occupation has a different going rate, so you should confirm this to ensure compliance.
Not all applicants need to meet the full salary thresholds. You may qualify for the visa with a reduced salary if:
- Your pay is at least £30,960 annually.
- You’re employed in specific roles within healthcare or education, where national pay scales determine salary levels.
- If you got your first certificate of sponsorship before 4th April 2024.
Additional Visa Conditions
- English Language Requirements: Proficiency in English at a B1 CEFR level or higher is mandatory.
- Financial Stability: Applicants must show they can support themselves, typically by proving they have at least £1,270 in savings unless their employer confirms financial sponsorship.
Which Job is in High Demand in UK?
The UK is currently looking for skilled professionals in several key sectors, including:
- Healthcare and social care roles such as doctors, nurses, and social workers.
- STEM industries, including IT specialists, engineers, and scientists.
- Education, particularly secondary school teachers in mathematics, physics, and computer science.
- Skilled trades, including welders, carpenters, and butchers.
For roles on the shortage occupation list, reduced application fees and salary thresholds may apply.
Can I Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa Without Sponsorship?
No, in order to apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you must have a job offer from an employer that holds a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. As part of the application process, you will need to provide the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship that your sponsor has generated to employ you as a skilled worker.
Who Can Sponsor Me in the UK?
A UK sponsor is an employer who holds a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. This licence allows them to employ individuals from outside the UK, including those from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland who arrived after 31 December 2020.
Not every company in the UK can act as a sponsor. Only businesses that have been granted a sponsor licence are permitted to sponsor skilled workers. To find out if your potential employer is a licensed sponsor, you can check the official register of licensed sponsors.
It’s important to note that sponsorship does not guarantee a visa. The Home Office will assess your application and may require employers to demonstrate they have the appropriate systems and staff in place to manage sponsored workers. Additionally, employers with unspent criminal convictions or a history of revoked licences are not eligible to sponsor workers.
How We Support Your Application
The Nathanson Partnership provides a comprehensive service to simplify the Skilled Worker visa process for you in the following ways:
- Eligibility Assessment: Analysing your qualifications, job offer, and personal circumstances to determine visa eligibility.
- Occupation Code Verification: Ensuring your role aligns with an eligible occupation code.
- Document Preparation: Assisting with the collection and verification of required documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Sponsor License Confirmation: Verifying that your employer is licensed to sponsor Skilled Worker visas.
- Application Submission: Managing the end-to-end process, including form completion and submission.
- Ongoing Support: Offering advice on dependents, visa extensions, and transitioning to permanent residency.
Please contact us today on 020 3476 9523 or email us at [email protected]
How Much Money is Required for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?
When applying for a Skilled Worker visa, there are several costs involved.
Please note, government immigration-related fees are subject to change.
As of 31st December 2024, UK employers are legally required to cover all sponsorship-related fees and cannot recover these costs from employees. These include the following:
- Sponsor Licence Fees: Employers must pay the fees associated with obtaining and maintaining a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Employers must issue and pay for a CoS to sponsor your visa.
- Immigration Skills Charge: This fee, applicable for sponsoring Skilled Workers, is also the employer’s responsibility.
Visa Application Fee
The fee ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on the duration of your visa and whether you are applying from within or outside the UK. If your job is on the immigration shortage occupation list, you will pay a reduced fee of £551 for visas up to 3 years or £1,084 for visas over 3 years.
Healthcare Surcharge
This mandatory charge is typically £1,035 per year for the duration of your stay. For instance, if you are applying for a 2-year visa, you will pay £2,070 in healthcare surcharge fees.
Proof of Financial Support
You’ll generally need to show you have at least £1,270 in personal savings unless your employer has agreed to cover this cost. This money must have been in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days.
How Long Can I Stay in the UK On The Skilled Worker Visa?
With a Skilled Worker visa, you can stay in the UK for an initial period of up to 5 years. After this, you will need to apply for an extension to continue living and working in the UK. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, there is no limit to how many times you can extend your visa.
The Skilled Worker visa can also lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. To qualify for ILR, you must still be employed in the same role, earning the required salary, and meeting certain residency conditions, such as not spending more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the past 5 years. Additionally, you will need to pass the Life in the UK Test.
If you need to extend your visa, you must still be in the same job, working for the same employer, and your job must be in the same occupation code as when your previous visa was granted.
Start Your Application With The Nathanson Partnership
The Skilled Worker visa provides a unique opportunity for professionals to live and work in the UK while advancing their careers in key industries. To ensure your application is handled professionally and efficiently, contact The Nathanson Partnership today.
For a consultation, please get in touch via:
- Telephone: 020 3476 9523
- Email: [email protected]
Let us guide you through the Skilled Worker visa process with expertise and care, so you can focus on planning your future in the UK.