Work Visa – (Skilled Workers, Intra-company transfers, Sportspersons, Religious workers)

Skilled Worker Visa Applications In London

The Skilled Worker route replaced the existing Tier 2 (General) route from 1 December 2020.

This route is for individuals who have an offer of a skilled job from a UK employer that is on the Home Office register of sponsors and applies to both:

• European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who arrived in the UK after 11 pm on 31 December 2020; and
• non-EEA nationals who apply for entry clearance or permission to stay on or after 1 December 2020

EEA nationals do not include Irish citizens, who do not need permission to live or work in the UK and are not eligible to apply on the Skilled Worker route.

Requirements

To apply under the skilled worker route, you must demonstrate that:

• you have a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor,
• the job offer is at the required skill level – RQF 3 or above (A Level and equivalent),
• you can speak English to the required standard, which is level B1 or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference for language in all 4 components (speaking, listening, reading, writing),
• the job offer meets the applicable minimum salary threshold. This is the higher of either: the general salary threshold  of £25,600, or the specific salary requirement for their occupation, known as the ‘going rate’; and, where applicable, the hourly rate,

You will be able to trade characteristics, such as qualifications, against a lower salary to get the required number of points. If the job offer is less than the minimum salary requirement but no less than £20,480, you may still be eligible if you have: a job offer in a specific shortage occupation; a PhD relevant to the job; a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job.

• you meet the financial requirement if applying for entry clearance or been in the UK for less than one year,
• obtain ATAS certificate if working in a job in sensitive subject areas, and
• you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

There are different salary rules for workers in certain health or education jobs, and for ‘new entrant’ at the start of their careers.

Length of visa

Successful applicants will be granted entry clearance or permission to stay for the period of employment as stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship, plus 14 days, up to a maximum period of 5 years.

Switching

Those who are already in the UK on another immigration route can switch to the Skilled Worker route if they meet all the relevant immigration requirements and were not last granted permission as Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household and outside the Immigration Rules.

Settlement

Workers who have been continuously and lawfully resident in the UK on the Skilled Worker route (or other eligible routes) for 5 years or more may apply to settle in the UK permanently.

Family members

Skilled workers can bring their family members (partner and children) to the UK and can apply to settle in the UK after 5 years’ continuous lawful residence.

Contact our Skilled Worker Visa Lawyers in London

At Karir immigration lawyers in London, we have a wealth of expertise in assisting clients with their Skilled Worker visa applications. For expert advice and assistance with your Skilled Worker visa application, please contact us.

Other Skilled Worker Visa services

• Intra-company transfer >
• Sportspersons >
• Religious workers >