Applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

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Applying for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker visa is one of the most common types of visas for people who wish to live and work in the UK. It has replaced the old Tier 2 (General) work visa. There are strict requirements that applicants must meet in order to qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa, and it is essential to complete the application correctly with all of the necessary evidence to support an application.

IBB Law’s specialist business immigration lawyers are experts in UK Skilled Worker visa applications. Drawing on our years of experience and up-to-the-minute knowledge of UK immigration rules, we can increase your chances of a successful application for a Skilled Worker Visa.

Providing close personal support through every stage of your application, we can make sure the Skilled Worker visa is right for you, advise on potential alternative immigration routes and guide you through every stage of your application, including what happens if your application is refused and what you need to do when the time comes to renew your Skilled Worker visa.

We work with clients from all over the world in a wide range of circumstances, so can provide tailored advice and support to match your unique circumstances and give you the best chance of securing a UK Skilled Worker visa.

Not sure if a UK Skilled Worker visa is right for you? We can help with all other types of UK work visas.

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Complete support for UK Skilled Worker visa applications

We help people from all over the world to apply for Skilled Worker visas for the UK. Our immigration experts can assist with:

  • Assessing your eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa
  • Preparing supporting documents for a Skilled Worker visa application
  • Making a Skilled Worker visa application
  • Skilled Worker visa rejections and refusals
  • Renewing a Skilled Worker visa

We can also advise employers on sponsor licence applications for bringing workers to the UK on a UK Skilled Worker visa.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a Skilled Worker visa?

The UK immigration experts at IBB Law can offer you:

  • In-depth knowledge of UK Immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Hands on support from experts who keep up-to-date with developments in the law so that you always receive practical and accurate advice.
  • A cost-effective and timely service with great attention to detail.
  • Independently accredited immigration expertise with our team being ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for Immigration Law.

Looking for immediate help with a UK Skilled Worker visa application?

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Skilled Worker visa application, our highly experienced business immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading business immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

How to apply for a Skilled Worker visa for the UK

In this guide, you can find more information on the following key areas:

What rights does a UK Skilled Worker visa give you?

With a UK Skilled Worker visa, you can:

  • Stay in the UK for up to 5 years
  • Work in a job from the list of eligible occupations
  • Bring your partner and/or children with you (if they meet the relevant eligibility requirements)
  • Travel outside of the UK and return
  • Study
  • Take on other work (depending on the circumstances)
  • Perform voluntary work
  • Apply for indefinite need to remain once you have lived in the UK for over 5 years (as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements)

Please note: a Skilled Worker visa does not allow you to claim most state benefits or the state pension.

UK Skilled Worker visa requirements

Requirements for a UK Skilled Worker visa include:

  • A confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office
  • A certificate of sponsorship from your employer
  • Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations for a UK Skilled Worker visa
  • Payment of a minimum salary by your employer (how much the minimum salary is will depend on the type of occupation, but it is usually whichever is the higher of £25,600/year or £10.10/hour)
  • You must meet the ‘knowledge of English’ requirement
  • There may be additional requirements, such as a criminal record check (for certain occupations) and a negative tuberculosis test (if you are from a country where this is required)

You must apply to extend your visa when it expires and will need to update your visa if you change jobs with your employer or move to a new employer.

Supporting documents for a UK Skilled Worker visa application

There are certain documents all applicants for a Skilled Worker visa will be required to provide in support of their application. Other types of documents may be required depending on the occupation, nationality and personal circumstances of the applicant.

Essential documents for all Skilled Worker visa applications include:

  • The name of your employer
  • Your employer’s sponsor licence number (found on your certificate of sponsorship)
  • A certificate of sponsorship reference number (supplied by your employer)
  • A valid passport or other approved identity documents
  • Your job title
  • The occupation code for your role
  • Your salary
  • Proof that you meet the ‘knowledge of English’ requirement

Other documents that may be required, depending on your situation, include:

  • Evidence you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself while you are in the UK
  • A criminal record certificate
  • Proof of your qualifications
  • Documentary evidence of a negative tuberculosis test
  • Proof of your relationship with any partner or children you intend to bring with you to the UK
  • A certificate from each country you have lived in (if you have lived in more than one country)

For any documents that are not in English or Welsh, you will need to provide a certified translation.

Making a Skilled Worker visa application

All Skilled Worker visas must now be made online. The process will be different depending on whether you are applying from outside of the UK or inside the UK and, if you are applying from inside the UK, whether you are applying to extend an existing Skilled Worker visa or whether you are switching from a different kind of visa.

It is strongly recommended to seek expert support when applying for a Skilled Worker visa to make sure you are completing the application fully and accurately, including providing all necessary supporting evidence.

Many Skilled Worker visa applications are rejected due to simple errors which can be easily corrected, so it is sensible to get your application checked by an expert before submitting it as this can save you the time, expense and stress of having to challenge the rejection of a visa or the need to make a fresh application.

How long does it take to get a UK Skilled Worker visa?

The earliest you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa is 3 months before the start date for your role (as specified on your certificate of sponsorship).

The UK government states that you should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are applying from within the UK. It is therefore important to make sure you leave sufficient time for your application to be processed before the start date for your role. It is also sensible to leave some additional time in case there are any issues, such as your application being rejected.

In some cases, it may be possible to pay extra to receive a faster decision.

UK Skilled Worker visa refusals and rejections

If your Skilled Worker visa application has been refused, your options will depend on the reasons for the refusal, which should be clearly stated in your refusal letter.

If your visa application was refused due to errors in your application (e.g. you failed to provide some of the required information or supporting documents), then this can often be swiftly resolved. You will need to make a fresh application with the errors corrected and a covering letter explaining the reasons for the errors. It is important to make it clear that the errors were genuine mistakes rather than an attempt to deceive UK Visas and Immigration.

If you believe your Skilled Worker visa application was rejected due to errors in the way it was processed by UK immigration authorities, then you may have the right to request an administrative review. This will identify any mistakes made in the way your application was handled and could see visa requests reconsidered.

In some limited circumstances, you may also have the right to appeal the refusal of your Skilled Worker visa.

For expert advice on what to do if your Skilled Worker visa has been refused, please get in touch with the team at IBB Law, and we will be happy to provide clear, expert advice on your options.

Renewing a UK Skilled Worker visa

A Skilled Worker visa can be renewed indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements.

If you have been in the UK for at least 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa or another type of eligible visa, then you may have the right to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. This means you can live, work and study in the UK permanently and can apply for British Citizenship.

Alternatives to a Skilled Worker visa

If you are not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, there are a number of alternative types of UK worker visas that may be an option instead. These include:

Health and Care Worker visa – For medical professionals coming to the UK to perform an eligible role with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in the adult social care sector.

Minister of Religion visa – For people who will be working in an eligible job within a faith community.

Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker visa – For people working in edible horticulture or pork butchery for up to 6 months.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa – For those aged 18-30 with British Nationality or from the agreed list of countries who wish to come to the UK for up to 2 years.

Global Talent visa – For recognised leaders and potential leaders in the fields of academia, research, arts, culture and digital technology.

Skilled Worker visa fees

The application fee for a Skilled Worker visa ranges from £610 to £1,408 (depending on where you are applying from and how long you are applying to be in the UK for). This fee applies both to the person who has been offered a role and to each of their family members.

The current fees are:

Applying for a Skilled Worker visa for up to 3 years – £610 per person if you are applying from outside of the UK or £704 per person if you are applying from inside the UK to extend, update or switch your visa.

Applying for a Skilled Worker visa for more than 3 years – £1,220 per person if you are applying from outside of the UK or £1,408 per person if you are applying from inside the UK to extend, update or switch your visa.

If your job is on the shortage occupation list, then you and any family members applying with you will pay a reduced fee, which will be the same whether you are applying from outside or within the UK. This fee is £464 per person if you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa for up to 3 years and £928 per person if you are applying for more than 3 years.

Additional costs for UK Skilled Worker visa applicants

If you are issued with a Skilled Worker visa, you will normally have to pay an annual health surcharge of £624 per year for each year you are in the UK.

You will usually also be required to have a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account to be able to prove you have the means to support yourself in the UK.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Skilled Worker visa application, our highly experienced business immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading business immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

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