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Table of Contents
Types Of Work Visas Available
Before applying for a UK work visa, you must know which type suits your situation and qualifications. Different work visas have different purposes and durations and different eligibility and application requirements.
We will briefly mention other work visas you may want to consider.
Skilled Worker visa
This is for people with a job offer from a UK employer that is on the list of eligible occupations and meets the skill and salary requirements. You also need to have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer and meet the English language and maintenance requirements.
Global Talent visa
This is for leaders or potential leaders in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, arts, and culture. You must be endorsed by a recognized UK body and meet the English language requirement. This visa does not require a job offer or a sponsor and can lead to permanent residence after three or five years, depending on your field.
After three years of successful business activity, both visas can lead to permanent residence.
Temporary visas
These are for people who want to work in the UK for a brief period, such as seasonal workers, sportspeople, entertainers, religious workers, charity workers, researchers, and youth mobility scheme participants. These visas have different eligibility and duration criteria and do not lead to permanent residence.
Other types of work visas are also available for specific situations, such as the Health and Care visa for health and social care workers, the Graduate visa for international students who have completed a degree in the UK, and the EU Settlement Scheme for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020.
Skilled Worker Visa in Detail
If you are a non-EU national who wants to work in the UK, you may need to apply for a work visa. We will focus on the Skilled Worker visa, which is the main route for qualified professionals with a job offer from a UK employer in an eligible occupation.
The Skilled Worker visa allows you to work in the UK for up to five years, with the possibility of extending your visa or applying for permanent residence after that. To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You have a job offer from a UK employer in an occupation on the list of eligible occupations that requires a skill level of RQF 3 or above (equivalent to A level or higher). However, not all jobs have this requirment.
- Your employer is a licensed sponsor and has given you a valid certificate of sponsorship, which is a reference number that confirms your job offer and salary.
- Your job offer pays at least the minimum salary threshold, which is either £38700 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. There are exceptions and reductions for certain occupations, new entrants, workers in shortage occupations, health and education workers, and PhD holders.
- You have enough money to support yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds. You need to have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply unless your sponsor can certify that they will support you financially for up to one month after you arrive in the UK.
- You have a good knowledge of English at level B1 or above (intermediate) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can prove your English level by taking an approved test, having a degree taught in English, or being a national of an English-speaking country.
Sponsorship Requirements
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer, who must have a sponsor license.
Your employer can issue you a certificate of sponsorship only if they meet the following conditions:
- They have conducted a genuine vacancy test, which means they have advertised the job in the UK and could not find a suitable resident worker unless the job is on the shortage occupation list, or you are an existing employee who needs to extend your visa.
- They have verified that you have the skills, qualifications, and experience to do the job and can provide evidence if the Home Office asks.
- They pay you at least the minimum salary threshold or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher, and follow the relevant employment laws and regulations.
The fees for UK sponsor licenses are:
- Worker – £536 (small/charitable) and £1,476 (medium/large); Temporary Worker – £536 for all;
- Worker and Temporary Worker – £536 (small/charitable) and £1,476 (medium/large);
- adding a Worker license to an existing Temporary Worker license – £940 (medium/large);
- adding a Temporary Worker license to an existing Worker license – no fee.
Application Process and Documents
You must complete an online application form on the UK government website to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. You will also need to submit the following information and documents:
- Your passport or travel document
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Your proof of English language ability
- Your bank statements or other proof of funds
- Your criminal record certificate for any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years if your occupation requires it.
- Your tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where you must take the test.
- Your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a visa application center
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide other documents, such as your academic qualifications, your earlier immigration history, or your marriage or civil partnership certificate if you are applying with your partner.
Fees
The fees you need to pay are:
- The standard fee, which ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on your circumstances. For up to 3 years, it is £719, and £1420 for more than 3 years if you are applying outside the UK.
- If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the standard fee is £827 per person for up to 3 years and £1,636 per person for more than 3 years.
- The immigration health surcharge, which is £1,035 per year.
If your job is on the immigration salary list, you and your family will pay a lower application fee of £551 per person for up to 3 years and £1,084 per person for more than 3 years, regardless of where you apply from.
Family Support
You must also show enough money to support yourself in the UK. You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 days (about 4 weeks) in a row before you apply unless either:
- You’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
- Your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.
Your family members must prove financial self-sufficiency during their stay in the UK. You, your partner, or your child will need to provide evidence of this.
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Other Important Information
Before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa, here is essential information to consider:
- Your partner and children under 18 can accompany you as dependents, provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria and financial requirements. They must apply for their visas and will incur the same application costs as you.
- You can renew your Skilled Worker visa up to a five-year maximum if you satisfy the eligibility conditions and maintain employment with the original sponsor.
- Should you secure a new sponsoring employer or position, you must obtain a fresh certificate of sponsorship and adhere to the prevailing salary and skill prerequisites.
- After five years of sustained employment in the UK, you may qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or permanent residence, contingent upon meeting certain income, language skills, and knowledge requirements about life in the UK.
- Once you have held ILR for a year, British citizenship becomes a possibility, provided you are compliant with residency, character, and integration norms. Citizenship affords you voting rights, eligibility for a British passport, and full access to the country’s benefits and services spectrum.
- During your visa’s validity, you’re free to travel outside the UK; however, be careful not to exceed 180 days abroad within any 12 months, as it could jeopardize your eligibility for ILR or citizenship.
- You’re permitted to work in your primary sponsored role and a secondary job, which should either fall within the same professional sector and level of your primary employment or be listed on the shortage occupation list.
- The other job must not exceed 20 hours weekly and should not impede your principal occupational duties. Volunteering and studying are also acceptable, provided they do not conflict with your sponsored employment obligations.
- You hold the right to take part in or set up trade unions, to earn at least the national minimum wage, and to receive help from the same employment conditions and rights afforded to UK workers.
- you’re entitled to NHS services, property rental options, bank account operations, and overseas money transfers. You are, however, precluded from accessing public funds such as welfare or housing aid unless specific circumstances apply to your situation.
FAQs
You need a job offer from an approved sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, a minimum salary of £38700 or the going rate for your job, and an elevated level of English.
You can stay for up to five years, and you can extend your visa if you meet the requirements. You can also apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after six years.
Yes, you can bring your spouse or partner and children under 18 if you can show that you have enough money to support them. They will have the same rights and benefits as you, except for public funds.
You can work in another job, but it must be in the same profession or a similar one, and it must not exceed 20 hours per week. You can also volunteer or study if it does not interfere with your main job.
You may need a UK work visa if you want to work there. Diverse types of work visas are available depending on your skills, qualifications, and employer. This article will explain the key features of the Skilled Worker visa, which is the most common route for non-EU nationals who want to work in the UK.
Conclusion
For the UK work visa, The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for non-EU nationals to work in qualified professions. Applicants need a job offer from an authorized sponsor, a certificate of sponsorship, must meet minimum salary requirements, and show ability in English.
The visa is based on points and can lead to permanent residency and citizenship. It allows family members to join, travel, pursue education, and access UK services and rights, but there are costs, documentation, and limitations to consider.
